motaco Old School Cottonmouth



Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Front Range Colorado Posts: 2,211

MEXICAN MOTA





Nameless sativa grown out of a dime bag of Mexican brick weed. Took 18 weeks to finish. Pic by OldSchoolFool79







Mexico produces more marijuana than any other country in the entire world. For most of the last century almost every smoker in the US had their very first toke on some Mexican grass. Prior to the 70's Mexican was practically all anyone had. The counterculture explosion had not happened yet, so for the most part exotic foreign strains were unheard of. Prior to the 60s, with the exception of New Orleans, and New York and other jazz hot spots, as well as with hispanics in the south west, marijuana was a rather obscure and mostly unavailable item in most of the country. It wasn't until the poets and Beatniks turned hippies and college students onto marijuana in the 60's that there was a large enough segment of society for it to really be noticed.



As the culture of smokers expanded and a sudden gigantic market for marijuana developed the import came from increasingly distant locales. As hippies traveled and learned more about other people and took interest in other cultures such as Eastern religions, and American Indians and spiritual drug use they became familiar with the potent flower tops sold by Mexican healers and bruha's (witch doctors) at rural markets, and a more knowledgeable smoking culture was beginning.



By the 60's Mexico's political situation was on the verge of a revolution, and the Mexican government was scared that rural peasant farmers were finding ways to finance their ideas with money from the marijuana trade. The Mexican goverment began an intensive crackdown along with US assistance by trying to spray fields with "paraquat", a dangerous herbicide with many health risks. Most of the herb was grown at altitudes too high to reach and very little of it was effective. In reality very little paraquat infested bud made it into the US but it nevertheless did scare many smokers away from Mexican weed. The Mexican government began building more infrastructure and as Mexico got more highways and roads it became easier to police, and discourage marijuana growing. New political incentives also helped bring a dramatic slow down to Mexican marijuana production.



In '69 Nixon escalated the newly declared "War On Drugs" with "Operation Intercept" along the Mexican border. It essentially increased patrols and checkpoint searches which ended the days when smuggling was a simple as filling a van up and driving across the border. Smugglers in turn started hiring private pilots including the newly returned Army and Air Force Vietnam veterans and began filling up old cargo planes with bales of grass and doing night time low altitude border runs. For the next decade these daring pilots would be a primary method of smuggling marijuana into the US. The iconic image of a twin engine smugglers plane would be a emblazoned on a generation of High Times paraphernalia. These smugglers were avoiding the police at the border by using makeshift runways at plantations in the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca, and Guerrero, and landing or making drops in the the southern US. As smugglers increasingly looked further south for better and cheaper pot with less police pressure they eventually found the "Gold Coast" of Colombia.



It was during this time when Mexico was under scruitiny and could no longer produce enough to be the main commerical provider that Colombia began replacing it in the market. So with the smaller corner of the market it had Mexico began to produce larger amounts of the higher quality varieties such as the legendary Highland Oaxaca Gold, and Guerreran instead of low grade commercial strains it had been exporting. Other notables of the time in Mexico were Torreon Violet, Zacatecas Purple, Michoacan, and others. After the momentary lapse of power during the 70s the Mexicans rebounded during the 80s and well into current times Mexico has taken back the commercial market for marijuana from Colombia. On the current market in the US Colombian weed scarcely exists, while Mexican weed makes up about half.





MEXICAN COMMERCIAL WEED



Mexican weed makes up the majority of the marijuana south of the Mason Dixon line. The wide availability, cheap price, bang for the buck, and proximity to Mexico all contribute to preferences, but at the end of the day there are still many folks who wish to have cheap weed to roll up joints, or smoke with friends, make edibles, etc. $20 a gram for high grade marijuana is out of many peoples price range. As well Mexican weed finds its way into rural towns following migrant fruit pickers, and offers marijuana to a market who might otherwise have none.





Today the situation faced by Mexican commercial smokers has changed from the low grade garbage of the 60s. A common phrase to describe lower grades of grass was "more rope than dope" referring to the Mexican genetic heritage of much of its marijuana being of low grade hemp. Till this day good Mexican sativa often has a fantastic hemp fiber strength, but there was also very common strains that were half drug cultivar, and half hemp, left growing mostly unattended. It was picked early, and shipped across as the common commercial weed everyone was used to. It was full of seeds, sticks, even males sometimes. Higher grades of pot that weren't "picked green" were allowed to ripen and left to yellow in the fields were often called "Acapulco Gold" as slang. That was primarily the only available weed on the market before the 70s. Regular green immature commercial weed. Or the yellow leaves and blonde buds of Acapulco Gold. Both of which were fully seeded.



By '85-'90 when Mexico took over the commercial production back from Colombia most of the regional strains were gone. Cartels had begun growing massive plantations of commercial genetics and paid for their protection with bribes, violence, and corruption. A practice which continues to this day. So the name strains are gone but the commercial quality is higher. To compete with other nations products Mexico began using new genetics, trimming their harvest much better, improving growing techniques, and removing most of the males to cut down on seeds. Today's Mexican weed has dramatically improved over what smokers remember from the earliest bags of the 60s. Beginning in the early 80's non native phenos started showing up common in imports. First Colombian commercial types, and then indica/commercial bug made it to mexico as well as many other nations. Skunk and Afghan type plants began to show up and are still common genes in brickweed seeds today. While it diluted the gene pool almost irreparably it also phased out most of the truly low grade hemp varieties from existence.



The product today is usually bricked, and of varying quality due to the amount produced by the country. The majority of it though is being sold between $40 and $120 dollars an ounce based on quality and the region it is sold in. Most of the weed is no longer native Mexican genes. However this does not change the fact that there are still some classic Mexican genetics, though often hybridized, coming across the border. Mexico today has an incredibly diverse gene pool from plants all over the world. Pure, or near pure sativas of various pedigree do still exist in high numbers, especially in the more tropical areas. However indica, and hybrids known as "Krypie" or "Pretendo" or "Pretendica" have been steadily getting a larger percentage of the market.



Sometimes indica is grown in order to fit more crops into a year, or to be finished in less time to avoid detection and eradication. The various strains sometimes called "pretendica" are long flowering indica hybrids acclimatized to Mexicos photo period and are quite commonly found if you grow Mexican bagseed. If flowered from seed they will grow between 2-5 feet and generally finish within 90 days. Yield is usually decent, but quality is often lacking from pretendica. They are usually commercial genetics of relatively low potential. For instance skunk and afghan genetics are quite commonly found in Mexican commercial weed, however there are some good mexican indica hybrids weed as well.



Common low grade Mexican commercial weed. Usually sold for around $50 an ounce in the southern US. aka: Shwag (Shit We All Get), ditch weed, stress, brown frown, etc. Sometimes it was good weed at one point, but after enough decay it turns into dreary, dull, low potency weed that won't get you very high. Very rarely has much potency left to it. Sometimes its garbage weed, sometimes its just old and poorly stored. Often times half of the weight will be in seeds, shake, and sticks.











Common high(er) grade Mexican commercial weed. Priced usually around $100 an ounce. Found more often during the cooler months. Generally still green and fresh. Bricked and lightly seeded but is mostly chunky buds . Sometimes still has trichs, occasionally even smells good if its fresh enough. The high is of varying quality, but can often be deceivingly potent. aka: popcorn, sexy mexi, christmas tree, green regs.







$10 1/8 and a $20 gram of Mexican hashish.









Contrary to popular belief most Mexican IS NOT bad genes. Many things like when it was harvested, shipping methods, what region it is from, how old it is, how long they let it sit before shipping, how well it was dried, how well it was stored including what temperature and bricking, and when it was harvested all have to do with quality of import. It's not one simple answer like "Mexican weed just sucks".



Another common myth is that the cartels grow the weed. The cartels do grow weed but it is a small percentage of what they can export. Most of the weed they own is not grown by them, but rather collected by them and put towards a shipment to eventually be sent in. They are the smugglers. Rural mexican farm families that have been growing the same strains for centuries are the mainstay of the import, and that is not likely to change.







As of '09 the gang wars and drug terrorism has reached a terrible level. All the more reason to grow your own and not fund Drug Trade Organizations and supply them with money. Mexico is controlled by several competing cartels over distribution and territory among other things. Separating the gangs are mountains and deserts, which helps keep the regions marijuana unique. The caribbean coast is famous for the more cerebral neon green marijuana also found in jamaica. The western coast is drier and more prone to indica hybrids.





This particular bud is of a pure sativa from brickweed that I managed to buy on the local market after an unseasonably long winter. I was told it was grown out of regular Mexican "christmas tree".



Christmas Tree Sativa buds









Mexi brick can be pretty when its grown properly.





Smoke report:

Feather weight buds. Single braids of some fox tails measure over two inches. Buzz off a bong rip hits almost instantaneous and sends you reeling. A non expansive smoke, it goes down smooth but comes back out a bit hot. Instant uplifting feeling and you immediately want to pack another hit. First few minutes can be a bit racy, and anxious as the stone comes on. A rising, almost floaty feeling washes over you slowly that replaces the anxiety. The high lasts for a long time. It is a pure and clean sativa buzz, with no trace of indica. There is no body stone. Only a head high that is surprisingly multi dimensional and well rounded. It's a fulfilling stone and you don't feel like you have to mix weeds to make it feel complete. It is a refreshing and upbeat stone. Gives great giggle fits over silly stuff and is a social high that allows for free flowing conversation. The high is clear, and allows for good concentration. It is great for video games, or writing, or other engaging activities. Another great aspect is the high seems to gradually wear off with no heavy burn out. Smells generically fruity. Some of the best and most pure sativa I've gotten to smoke in many years.



"Christmas tree" is slang in the south for the fresh green buds that start coming across when the weather cools down. Human mules will carry 50+ pound loads of ganja on their backs across the border and through unmapped desert paths for days. When the weather is hot they can't smuggle anywhere near as much so by the summer the supply dwindles and the bud is often brown and old.



A citrus smelling type of pretendica from Mexi brick. High was nothing special.











Here is a pic of highland oaxaca. courtesy of oaxaca spice. the pic below it is (I think) the same weed as it appears in schwag. I could be wrong though, we'll have to ask OS when he shows up.











An uglier, darker lowland oaxaca (one of several lowland or coastal oaxacas, this one is called sugarcane). doesn't look that resinous I know, but I'll put this up against TW gram for gram anyday believe it or not. Its a very powerful herb, but not the most euphoric. Very dumbing.







THE GANJA SITUATION IN MEXICO Tienes mota mi amigo?





Weed is usually pretty easy to find in Mexico. By far the easiest and safest way to get it is simply staying in a border town. The US side is much safer, but there are DEA, FBI, CIA, and any number of government agencies all with permanent details in those small towns. So asking around for bud isn't recommended for outsiders. You can find bud very easily by asking around on the Mexican side if you are brave enough, but there are incredible amounts of violence and kidnappings on the Mexican side. Best advise is to buy small amounts from locals like bartenders and taxi drivers to avoid trouble.



Logically you would think that you would want to go to the equatorial regions of Mexico looking for sativas in the native habitat it's being grown in to get the best buds, but the reality is it's very poor people growing pot in very dangerous places. It is however meant to be sold to the US. We are the major consumer and truly if weed is good they want the money it is worth. Not the weed to smoke. Regardless of where it was grown it will probably show up at a major border town. The funny thing about border towns is they are full of good cheap pot. But just a few hunded miles outside of them it goes much higher. They put up roadblocks all over highways out of border towns and it raises the price. But there is often LOTS of pot sitting in houses in border towns awaiting a destination.



Other sources of weed within Mexico are open markets that often sell weed discreetly, but not as easy if you are a tourist and especially white. Another option in rural Mexico is asking around for traditional healers who sometimes keep a few plants in a private garden.





In a final statement I'd like to say that the cartels get the majority of their money from marijuana, and it is through us, not only as competition from American pot growers, but as American pot consumers to try and help end the cartels and the cancer they are to the marijuana community. The plant is not evil in itself, but due to the laws it takes money hungry organized criminal groups to get the majority of it into the country. About 10,000 people have died per year in the last several years in a narrow strip of Mexico along the disputed border territories. Due to the sheer number of users and ease of production marijuana is the most profitable drug for them and provides over half of any given cartels total yearly income. When at all possible try not to buy Mexican pot, and certainly not on a regular basis. Your money directly supports their activities. Somewhere up that line that money ends up back in Mexico. If you do buy mexican grass, buy a good bag, save the seeds, and don't buy it again. If growing is not an option, try to find domestic grass. It costs more, but its worth it.



Mexican weed links:



A mans story about running weed from the legendary "El Bufalo" plots, one of the big Mexican plantations in the early 80s, from the free article archive at Cannabis Culture.

https://cannabisculture.com/v2/articles/4768.html



Mexican Landrace Thread

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=218636



The Mexican Cartel Thread

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=222725



Massive Marijuana Grow in Mexico. Four times larger than El Bufalo.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=217127



The Highland Oaxaca Gold Thread

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread....t=history+haze



130 ton bust

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread....ht=mexico+bust



30 tons and a tunnel

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread....ht=mexico+bust





JAMAICAN WEED



photo from la mano negra of jamaican sat in spain.





Jamaica is well known for ganja, and for good reason. Supposedly the Jamaican weed growing culture started when escaped slaves ran so far into the mountains that they could no be pursued and lived an isolated existence; growing African and Indian sativas and living off the land.

Regardless of it's origin the popularity in Jamaica is undeniable and far older and more intrisic than most other cultures on this side of the world. In the fifties and even earlier Jamaica was one of very few suppliers of marijuana to the US. During the 60s Jamaican was one of few exotics available along with Acapulco Gold. Since it is an island and thus fairly easy to control around '73 it was used as a test for marijuana eradication and was very successful. Mass crops were targeted and hit hard, and the genes to the famous Lambs Bread or Kali weed was hit hard. Throughout much of the 70's and 80's Jamaican "semi sensi" was an extra exotic on the market, but made no substantial contribution to the total of pot America smoked. Noted more for the size of it's buds than for it's potency in the later years. However in it's heyday the Jamaican sativa was an energetic and spicy smoke. A neon green poker straight plant 3-9 feet high, with light branching towards the top. The smoke was energetic and upbeat, powerfully contemplative, with very little body stone or sedation to it. Supposedly a breed of Indian and African sativas.





Due to its year round photoperiod Jamaica has 3 harvest seasons per year. Two short and one long. It's worth mentioning that if you are going to jamaica in search of sativas. Don't go in winter as you would expect like at a higher latitude. That is actually their conclusion to the shortest season and is full of immature 50 day flowered from seed lolly pop indica buds. the nugs are 5 inches long with a gram on the end of half leaf and you can see the roots at the bottom of the stem. If you want sativas you should go around april when plants have had 4 months to cycle instead of a month and a half. This is the season they grow their larger higher yielding plants that can have a veg cycle. In winter they grow mini super fast indicas to get a quick harvest, but it sucks.





photo from gyspy here at IC







JAMAICAN STRAINS. NOW AND THEN.



In Jamaica when you flower sativas from seed they grow one main cola, and minimal side branching. Jamaicas grow climate causes this to happen naturally. Plants flower at or almost immediately after sprouting. So its no surprise acclimated Jamaican ganja looks like this. Pictures of jamaican patches often look like a little outdoor SOG. Stony weed was referred to as Kali herb (goddess of destruction), and other terms such as "lambs bread" or "breath" (depending who you ask) were also common terms. A common myth is that Jamaican strains smell and taste earthy and smoky. This is not true at all it simply has to do with primitive curing procedures which we'll get into later. Fresh native ganja is usually very sweet, fruity and floral. It should be, because it is mainly from the same dutch stock we are all familiar with.





Today native Jamaicans are harder and harder to find. In the 80's visitors continually brought over dutch genes which were faster and stonier. Since they stay short and are harder to see from helicopters, and finish so quick these small hybrids yielding a few grams to an ounce became what makes up the mainstay of Jamaican ganja today.



The nations growers have simple breeding techniques and accidental open pollination occurs often. It is hard for growers to keep lines pure. Jamaicans were used to 90-120 day sativas that grew tall, were heat and pest resistant, and didn't need much ferts, and yielded 1-4 ounces a piece. Todays average Jam ganja grows between 2-4ft, and flowers for about 70 days, and yields about 1/2-2 ounces. They are much more prone to mold, and require more fertilizer and tending. Although it is not likely to change the market many growers ask for tourists to bring sativa genes back to them. African, South American, etc. Really just any good sativas, they don't care if its kali mist of good mexican bagseed. Common dutch genes they received include several repeating names, such as ice, afghani, northern lights, and purple star, and skunk are common in gardens and replaced sativas. During the one long growing season sativas are better suited but many growers have lost their old lines, because the shorter flowering plants make more money. The more sativa looking lines left on the island appear to be mostly Colombian in origin according to recent visitors. Today the dealers call weed whatever is selling to tourists best. Even Diesel or Trainwreck although that is not what it is. However a handful of strains are there and are sold by name. Blue mountain sativa and a handful of other natives are still kept pure by some rastas supposedly. Although sativas are missed, the growers do appreciate the short, and fast turnover and increased number of harvest the indicas offer and they will now always make up a substantial part of the harvest. At any rate pay attention to the bud, not what it is being called.



THE GANJA SITUATION



Weed is everywhere in Jamaica, but don't be a fool. It is still very illegal. Not many years ago an American college tourist was arrested with one spliff and handcuffed to a bed for days before he was processed, during which time he got sick and had to go to the hospital. But most of the time cops, and judges just like everyone else are just looking for a handout and want you to just leave your money and go home. But American influenced propaganda as well as tactics including road side stops, helicopter patrols, speed boats, and drug dogs are the norm. Despite all this its still everywhere and deep in the culture. However do not assume that everyone there smokes. They don't and many do not appreciate the stereotype, they view asking every Jamaican about weed like going to Colombia and asking everyone about cocaine. Asking the wrong person can get you set up to buy from an undercover just like the states. In Jamaica just like everywhere else smoking weed instead of drinking is considered a low class, criminal class hobby. If you go make sure you pick your hotel wisely. Many resorts and chain hotels do not like pot smokers.



Scoring weed in Jamaica should be a very easy thing to do. Many people come back from Jamaica and say they only have crappy schwag. The truth is no different than anywhere else. They saw you coming from a mile away. If they CAN sell you schwag at regular price than they most likely will. Or just rip you off entirely if you give them the chance. Weed is usually sold on the entire stem so when they are talking to a tourist if they pull out a fistful of 18 inch schwag buds and the guys eyes light up like he's never seen that much weed before in his life than the dealer has got his number already. He's not going to even show him the normal stuff he sells for 30 dollars an ounce if he knows he can sell this year old shit nobody else wants at the same price to this guy.



Another dealer trick is to hand you the weed. Especially if you are in their field. We are used to being able to inspect and smell the herb before you get it. This is not necessarily the case in Jamaica. If its in your possession its yours. They may refuse to take it back and demand the money instead. It is often hard to understand Jamaicans and the tiny island has upwards of 700 murders per year. The last thing you want to do is get into an argument over a few dollars and hear "thieves answer to jah." So if the weed doesn't look like it interests you don't even sniff it. Don't give people a reason to not like you.



But if you stay diligent there is good weed to be found. There are lord only knows how many growers on the island and three harvests a year so if you don't like what you are seeing keep asking. Someone will have good enough quality. Special resorts often keep higher quality for their smoking clientele if all else fails.



For safety its a good idea not to go far from the hotel, don't go to the back of any businesses to get weed, make dealers bring it to you somewhere you feel safe. Don't ask just anyone and everyone for it be specific to someone you know is not a cop and probably is educated about good weed. And taxi drivers have been known to take money from police for dropping off dumb tourists into traps so beware. Don't smoke in public, find a safe spot. Don't buy pre-rolled joints they are probably just shake leaves. Don't give people money to come back. Basically don't do anything you wouldn't do in your home town is a good rule of thumb.







Highliter in jamaica in early 80's









PRICES in JAMAICA vary all over the island but 95% of the tourists going to jamaica are going to Negril or Kingston. Roadside vendors with coconuts and fruit as well as small businesses often sell about a gram for a dollar, with a paper. Street dealers with ounces(guess-timated weight and not including stalks) usually sell them for 30-50 dollars or 200-350 USD for a whole lb. While it is true that herb actually sells for as little as 80usd per pound even for quality weed it is not right to pay that for it. Remember that this is not "the time machine" and Jamaicans are not morlocks there to serve you. They are a slave to a crippled economy and work their asses off to be able to feed their family. They risk their freedom selling weed and you should really think about which one of you truly knows the value of a hard days work before you haggle down an honest man to piles of weed for chump change. I don't know who said it but I'll never forget the words: "The extreme uncertainties of subsisting without working made excesses necessary and brakes definitive. Suicide took many, alcohol and the devil took care of the rest." What this means is if you have the money to go blunting, beer bonging, and tom catting around Jamaican resorts than you've got the kind of money to give some of the most hardworking people you'll ever meet a fair price for his product. It boils my blood when I hear people say they haggled down some dealer to next to nothing like screwing poor people out of money is something you should be impressed with.



But do know that market style bartering is somewhat a part of Jamaican culture. So when you give him what you feel in your heart to be a fair price for what you bought and how much money you have make sure he knows you did not give him that much money because you are a stupid tourist, but instead as a tip.



GROWING AND STORING METHODS



Jamaica has the same kinda helicopter patrols and snitches like the states. For growers to combat this they have done the same thing they do in NorCal. Very few big patches. It's an army of dedicated small growers spread out everywhere and they can't be stopped. When its all put together it makes their country full of weed.



Jamaican growers have resorted to lugging thousands of lbs of soil through jungles and swamps, building raised soil beds in marshes, or planting on steep rocky cliffs with dams under the plants to catch water. Rarely are patches larger than 2 acres, with most of them being about a half an acre. An area is chosen and usually burned of vegetation and stumps, this is in part a problem of the islands deforestation. only 30% of the island is forested now and that is in part due to slash and burn techniques.





The rocky shallow soil is pick axed into holes and amended with quality soil and ferts. Then they build something to collect and store rainwater. Not an easy task and once its done they usually stay at the same spot for many years. Jamaicans are big on organic ferts and frequently use bat guano, blood, various different types of shit and anything else you can imagine. Many of them even use no fertilizer at all.





jamaican admiring his work on a steep hill



Unfortunately despite being adept at grow techniques drying and curing is still a very primitive process for most jamaican growers. Probably less than half of the growers know how to properly dry and store weed for their climate conditions. This is what attributes to a lot of the negative stereotypes about Jamaican weed. Many of the growers simply machete chop the stem at the base above the soil line and just hang upside down. With no leaves removed, full stem and stalk, and the plants hanging closely next to one another in the high humidity it takes FOREVER for plants to dry like this and much is lost to mold. Some noticed they dried faster and without mold if they hung them in open sun, which deteriorates trichomes quickly and turns buds brown, others started drying in sheet metal shacks in the sun which are like an oven. Then they simply store it in bags. Another common technique is to hang buds close to an open fire which is a quick way of drying and attributes to many of the "smoky" sterotypes of Jamaican herb smells.



But there are wise growers that learned and have great kind bud and know how to properly dry and store it in the humid climate. To do so they trim buds into small branches, split the stems for drying, and remove all large leaves. Left in open breezy shady areas the weed dries just fine. After being trimmed to their liking they store by burying in water proof containers like buckets or ice chests. Weed will stay perfect like this well past the next harvest. Many growers live year round with their plants tending them next to their vegetables and tend them everyday, but it doesn't stop the quick deterioration rates of weed in heat, and the ignorance that comes with failed infrastructure, and lack of electricity for anything including AC. So it is no surprise there are alot of dealers looking to sell the cheap over abundant schwag to someone dumb enough to take it. So make sure you choose wisely. Dank is certainly available to be had when a proper grower produced it.



COMMERCIAL JAMAICAN



Unlike the situation in Mexico the Jamaican weed is usually not brought in by cartels. Or if it is they operate under enough privacy that they don't make waves. Jamaican weed import is a tiny fraction of what it once was. the distance and no border makes it alot harder to get shipments in. Mostly only found in Amsterdam coffee shops and other small shipments. Smugglers lining the bottoms of boxes in fishing boats, and shipping containers, usually are freelancing it. Buying it with their own money and smuggling it at their own risk to private markets. They usually choose the weed they want from several growers, whittle it off the giant stems they sell it on, brick it and ship it. But it simply can't come through in the amounts without the organization and dedication of a large cartel.



The entire Caribbean shares most of the same strains and the best spot for collecting Caribbean bagseed in the US would have to be south florida hands down.





wallyduck's photo of jamaican ganja they bought for hashmaking. Don't forget to watch the ICMAG dvd.









photos from gypsy







Nameless sativa grown out of a dime bag of Mexican brick weed. Took 18 weeks to finish. Pic by OldSchoolFool79Mexico produces more marijuana than any other country in the entire world. For most of the last century almost every smoker in the US had their very first toke on some Mexican grass. Prior to the 70's Mexican was practically all anyone had. The counterculture explosion had not happened yet, so for the most part exotic foreign strains were unheard of. Prior to the 60s, with the exception of New Orleans, and New York and other jazz hot spots, as well as with hispanics in the south west, marijuana was a rather obscure and mostly unavailable item in most of the country. It wasn't until the poets and Beatniks turned hippies and college students onto marijuana in the 60's that there was a large enough segment of society for it to really be noticed.As the culture of smokers expanded and a sudden gigantic market for marijuana developed the import came from increasingly distant locales. As hippies traveled and learned more about other people and took interest in other cultures such as Eastern religions, and American Indians and spiritual drug use they became familiar with the potent flower tops sold by Mexican healers and bruha's (witch doctors) at rural markets, and a more knowledgeable smoking culture was beginning.By the 60's Mexico's political situation was on the verge of a revolution, and the Mexican government was scared that rural peasant farmers were finding ways to finance their ideas with money from the marijuana trade. The Mexican goverment began an intensive crackdown along with US assistance by trying to spray fields with "paraquat", a dangerous herbicide with many health risks. Most of the herb was grown at altitudes too high to reach and very little of it was effective. In reality very little paraquat infested bud made it into the US but it nevertheless did scare many smokers away from Mexican weed. The Mexican government began building more infrastructure and as Mexico got more highways and roads it became easier to police, and discourage marijuana growing. New political incentives also helped bring a dramatic slow down to Mexican marijuana production.In '69 Nixon escalated the newly declared "War On Drugs" with "Operation Intercept" along the Mexican border. It essentially increased patrols and checkpoint searches which ended the days when smuggling was a simple as filling a van up and driving across the border. Smugglers in turn started hiring private pilots including the newly returned Army and Air Force Vietnam veterans and began filling up old cargo planes with bales of grass and doing night time low altitude border runs. For the next decade these daring pilots would be a primary method of smuggling marijuana into the US. The iconic image of a twin engine smugglers plane would be a emblazoned on a generation of High Times paraphernalia. These smugglers were avoiding the police at the border by using makeshift runways at plantations in the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca, and Guerrero, and landing or making drops in the the southern US. As smugglers increasingly looked further south for better and cheaper pot with less police pressure they eventually found the "Gold Coast" of Colombia.It was during this time when Mexico was under scruitiny and could no longer produce enough to be the main commerical provider that Colombia began replacing it in the market. So with the smaller corner of the market it had Mexico began to produce larger amounts of the higher quality varieties such as the legendary Highland Oaxaca Gold, and Guerreran instead of low grade commercial strains it had been exporting. Other notables of the time in Mexico were Torreon Violet, Zacatecas Purple, Michoacan, and others. After the momentary lapse of power during the 70s the Mexicans rebounded during the 80s and well into current times Mexico has taken back the commercial market for marijuana from Colombia. On the current market in the US Colombian weed scarcely exists, while Mexican weed makes up about half.MEXICAN COMMERCIAL WEEDMexican weed makes up the majority of the marijuana south of the Mason Dixon line. The wide availability, cheap price, bang for the buck, and proximity to Mexico all contribute to preferences, but at the end of the day there are still many folks who wish to have cheap weed to roll up joints, or smoke with friends, make edibles, etc. $20 a gram for high grade marijuana is out of many peoples price range. As well Mexican weed finds its way into rural towns following migrant fruit pickers, and offers marijuana to a market who might otherwise have none.Today the situation faced by Mexican commercial smokers has changed from the low grade garbage of the 60s. A common phrase to describe lower grades of grass was "more rope than dope" referring to the Mexican genetic heritage of much of its marijuana being of low grade hemp. Till this day good Mexican sativa often has a fantastic hemp fiber strength, but there was also very common strains that were half drug cultivar, and half hemp, left growing mostly unattended. It was picked early, and shipped across as the common commercial weed everyone was used to. It was full of seeds, sticks, even males sometimes. Higher grades of pot that weren't "picked green" were allowed to ripen and left to yellow in the fields were often called "Acapulco Gold" as slang. That was primarily the only available weed on the market before the 70s. Regular green immature commercial weed. Or the yellow leaves and blonde buds of Acapulco Gold. Both of which were fully seeded.By '85-'90 when Mexico took over the commercial production back from Colombia most of the regional strains were gone. Cartels had begun growing massive plantations of commercial genetics and paid for their protection with bribes, violence, and corruption. A practice which continues to this day. So the name strains are gone but the commercial quality is higher. To compete with other nations products Mexico began using new genetics, trimming their harvest much better, improving growing techniques, and removing most of the males to cut down on seeds. Today's Mexican weed has dramatically improved over what smokers remember from the earliest bags of the 60s. Beginning in the early 80's non native phenos started showing up common in imports. First Colombian commercial types, and then indica/commercial bug made it to mexico as well as many other nations. Skunk and Afghan type plants began to show up and are still common genes in brickweed seeds today. While it diluted the gene pool almost irreparably it also phased out most of the truly low grade hemp varieties from existence.The product today is usually bricked, and of varying quality due to the amount produced by the country. The majority of it though is being sold between $40 and $120 dollars an ounce based on quality and the region it is sold in. Most of the weed is no longer native Mexican genes. However this does not change the fact that there are still some classic Mexican genetics, though often hybridized, coming across the border. Mexico today has an incredibly diverse gene pool from plants all over the world. Pure, or near pure sativas of various pedigree do still exist in high numbers, especially in the more tropical areas. However indica, and hybrids known as "Krypie" or "Pretendo" or "Pretendica" have been steadily getting a larger percentage of the market.Sometimes indica is grown in order to fit more crops into a year, or to be finished in less time to avoid detection and eradication. The various strains sometimes called "pretendica" are long flowering indica hybrids acclimatized to Mexicos photo period and are quite commonly found if you grow Mexican bagseed. If flowered from seed they will grow between 2-5 feet and generally finish within 90 days. Yield is usually decent, but quality is often lacking from pretendica. They are usually commercial genetics of relatively low potential. For instance skunk and afghan genetics are quite commonly found in Mexican commercial weed, however there are some good mexican indica hybrids weed as well.Common low grade Mexican commercial weed. Usually sold for around $50 an ounce in the southern US. aka: Shwag (Shit We All Get), ditch weed, stress, brown frown, etc. Sometimes it was good weed at one point, but after enough decay it turns into dreary, dull, low potency weed that won't get you very high. Very rarely has much potency left to it. Sometimes its garbage weed, sometimes its just old and poorly stored. Often times half of the weight will be in seeds, shake, and sticks.Common high(er) grade Mexican commercial weed. Priced usually around $100 an ounce. Found more often during the cooler months. Generally still green and fresh. Bricked and lightly seeded but is mostly chunky buds . Sometimes still has trichs, occasionally even smells good if its fresh enough. The high is of varying quality, but can often be deceivingly potent. aka: popcorn, sexy mexi, christmas tree, green regs.$10 1/8 and a $20 gram of Mexican hashish.Contrary to popular belief most Mexican IS NOT bad genes. Many things like when it was harvested, shipping methods, what region it is from, how old it is, how long they let it sit before shipping, how well it was dried, how well it was stored including what temperature and bricking, and when it was harvested all have to do with quality of import. It's not one simple answer like "Mexican weed just sucks".Another common myth is that the cartels grow the weed. The cartels do grow weed but it is a small percentage of what they can export. Most of the weed they own is not grown by them, but rather collected by them and put towards a shipment to eventually be sent in. They are the smugglers. Rural mexican farm families that have been growing the same strains for centuries are the mainstay of the import, and that is not likely to change.As of '09 the gang wars and drug terrorism has reached a terrible level. All the more reason to grow your own and not fund Drug Trade Organizations and supply them with money. Mexico is controlled by several competing cartels over distribution and territory among other things. Separating the gangs are mountains and deserts, which helps keep the regions marijuana unique. The caribbean coast is famous for the more cerebral neon green marijuana also found in jamaica. The western coast is drier and more prone to indica hybrids.This particular bud is of a pure sativa from brickweed that I managed to buy on the local market after an unseasonably long winter. I was told it was grown out of regular Mexican "christmas tree".Christmas Tree Sativa budsMexi brick can be pretty when its grown properly.Smoke report:Feather weight buds. Single braids of some fox tails measure over two inches. Buzz off a bong rip hits almost instantaneous and sends you reeling. A non expansive smoke, it goes down smooth but comes back out a bit hot. Instant uplifting feeling and you immediately want to pack another hit. First few minutes can be a bit racy, and anxious as the stone comes on. A rising, almost floaty feeling washes over you slowly that replaces the anxiety. The high lasts for a long time. It is a pure and clean sativa buzz, with no trace of indica. There is no body stone. Only a head high that is surprisingly multi dimensional and well rounded. It's a fulfilling stone and you don't feel like you have to mix weeds to make it feel complete. It is a refreshing and upbeat stone. Gives great giggle fits over silly stuff and is a social high that allows for free flowing conversation. The high is clear, and allows for good concentration. It is great for video games, or writing, or other engaging activities. Another great aspect is the high seems to gradually wear off with no heavy burn out. Smells generically fruity. Some of the best and most pure sativa I've gotten to smoke in many years."Christmas tree" is slang in the south for the fresh green buds that start coming across when the weather cools down. Human mules will carry 50+ pound loads of ganja on their backs across the border and through unmapped desert paths for days. When the weather is hot they can't smuggle anywhere near as much so by the summer the supply dwindles and the bud is often brown and old.A citrus smelling type of pretendica from Mexi brick. High was nothing special.Here is a pic of highland oaxaca. courtesy of oaxaca spice. the pic below it is (I think) the same weed as it appears in schwag. I could be wrong though, we'll have to ask OS when he shows up.An uglier, darker lowland oaxaca (one of several lowland or coastal oaxacas, this one is called sugarcane). doesn't look that resinous I know, but I'll put this up against TW gram for gram anyday believe it or not. Its a very powerful herb, but not the most euphoric. Very dumbing.THE GANJA SITUATION IN MEXICO Tienes mota mi amigo?Weed is usually pretty easy to find in Mexico. By far the easiest and safest way to get it is simply staying in a border town. The US side is much safer, but there are DEA, FBI, CIA, and any number of government agencies all with permanent details in those small towns. So asking around for bud isn't recommended for outsiders. You can find bud very easily by asking around on the Mexican side if you are brave enough, but there are incredible amounts of violence and kidnappings on the Mexican side. Best advise is to buy small amounts from locals like bartenders and taxi drivers to avoid trouble.Logically you would think that you would want to go to the equatorial regions of Mexico looking for sativas in the native habitat it's being grown in to get the best buds, but the reality is it's very poor people growing pot in very dangerous places. It is however meant to be sold to the US. We are the major consumer and truly if weed is good they want the money it is worth. Not the weed to smoke. Regardless of where it was grown it will probably show up at a major border town. The funny thing about border towns is they are full of good cheap pot. But just a few hunded miles outside of them it goes much higher. They put up roadblocks all over highways out of border towns and it raises the price. But there is often LOTS of pot sitting in houses in border towns awaiting a destination.Other sources of weed within Mexico are open markets that often sell weed discreetly, but not as easy if you are a tourist and especially white. Another option in rural Mexico is asking around for traditional healers who sometimes keep a few plants in a private garden.In a final statement I'd like to say that the cartels get the majority of their money from marijuana, and it is through us, not only as competition from American pot growers, but as American pot consumers to try and help end the cartels and the cancer they are to the marijuana community. The plant is not evil in itself, but due to the laws it takes money hungry organized criminal groups to get the majority of it into the country. About 10,000 people have died per year in the last several years in a narrow strip of Mexico along the disputed border territories. Due to the sheer number of users and ease of production marijuana is the most profitable drug for them and provides over half of any given cartels total yearly income. When at all possible try not to buy Mexican pot, and certainly not on a regular basis. Your money directly supports their activities. Somewhere up that line that money ends up back in Mexico. If you do buy mexican grass, buy a good bag, save the seeds, and don't buy it again. If growing is not an option, try to find domestic grass. It costs more, but its worth it.Mexican weed links:A mans story about running weed from the legendary "El Bufalo" plots, one of the big Mexican plantations in the early 80s, from the free article archive at Cannabis Culture.Mexican Landrace ThreadThe Mexican Cartel ThreadMassive Marijuana Grow in Mexico. Four times larger than El Bufalo.The Highland Oaxaca Gold Thread130 ton bust30 tons and a tunnelphoto from la mano negra of jamaican sat in spain.Jamaica is well known for ganja, and for good reason. Supposedly the Jamaican weed growing culture started when escaped slaves ran so far into the mountains that they could no be pursued and lived an isolated existence; growing African and Indian sativas and living off the land.Regardless of it's origin the popularity in Jamaica is undeniable and far older and more intrisic than most other cultures on this side of the world. In the fifties and even earlier Jamaica was one of very few suppliers of marijuana to the US. During the 60s Jamaican was one of few exotics available along with Acapulco Gold. Since it is an island and thus fairly easy to control around '73 it was used as a test for marijuana eradication and was very successful. Mass crops were targeted and hit hard, and the genes to the famous Lambs Bread or Kali weed was hit hard. Throughout much of the 70's and 80's Jamaican "semi sensi" was an extra exotic on the market, but made no substantial contribution to the total of pot America smoked. Noted more for the size of it's buds than for it's potency in the later years. However in it's heyday the Jamaican sativa was an energetic and spicy smoke. A neon green poker straight plant 3-9 feet high, with light branching towards the top. The smoke was energetic and upbeat, powerfully contemplative, with very little body stone or sedation to it. Supposedly a breed of Indian and African sativas.Due to its year round photoperiod Jamaica has 3 harvest seasons per year. Two short and one long. It's worth mentioning that if you are going to jamaica in search of sativas. Don't go in winter as you would expect like at a higher latitude. That is actually their conclusion to the shortest season and is full of immature 50 day flowered from seed lolly pop indica buds. the nugs are 5 inches long with a gram on the end of half leaf and you can see the roots at the bottom of the stem. If you want sativas you should go around april when plants have had 4 months to cycle instead of a month and a half. This is the season they grow their larger higher yielding plants that can have a veg cycle. In winter they grow mini super fast indicas to get a quick harvest, but it sucks.photo from gyspy here at ICJAMAICAN STRAINS. NOW AND THEN.In Jamaica when you flower sativas from seed they grow one main cola, and minimal side branching. Jamaicas grow climate causes this to happen naturally. Plants flower at or almost immediately after sprouting. So its no surprise acclimated Jamaican ganja looks like this. Pictures of jamaican patches often look like a little outdoor SOG. Stony weed was referred to as Kali herb (goddess of destruction), and other terms such as "lambs bread" or "breath" (depending who you ask) were also common terms. A common myth is that Jamaican strains smell and taste earthy and smoky. This is not true at all it simply has to do with primitive curing procedures which we'll get into later. Fresh native ganja is usually very sweet, fruity and floral. It should be, because it is mainly from the same dutch stock we are all familiar with.Today native Jamaicans are harder and harder to find. In the 80's visitors continually brought over dutch genes which were faster and stonier. Since they stay short and are harder to see from helicopters, and finish so quick these small hybrids yielding a few grams to an ounce became what makes up the mainstay of Jamaican ganja today.The nations growers have simple breeding techniques and accidental open pollination occurs often. It is hard for growers to keep lines pure. Jamaicans were used to 90-120 day sativas that grew tall, were heat and pest resistant, and didn't need much ferts, and yielded 1-4 ounces a piece. Todays average Jam ganja grows between 2-4ft, and flowers for about 70 days, and yields about 1/2-2 ounces. They are much more prone to mold, and require more fertilizer and tending. Although it is not likely to change the market many growers ask for tourists to bring sativa genes back to them. African, South American, etc. Really just any good sativas, they don't care if its kali mist of good mexican bagseed. Common dutch genes they received include several repeating names, such as ice, afghani, northern lights, and purple star, and skunk are common in gardens and replaced sativas. During the one long growing season sativas are better suited but many growers have lost their old lines, because the shorter flowering plants make more money. The more sativa looking lines left on the island appear to be mostly Colombian in origin according to recent visitors. Today the dealers call weed whatever is selling to tourists best. Even Diesel or Trainwreck although that is not what it is. However a handful of strains are there and are sold by name. Blue mountain sativa and a handful of other natives are still kept pure by some rastas supposedly. Although sativas are missed, the growers do appreciate the short, and fast turnover and increased number of harvest the indicas offer and they will now always make up a substantial part of the harvest. At any rate pay attention to the bud, not what it is being called.THE GANJA SITUATIONWeed is everywhere in Jamaica, but don't be a fool. It is still very illegal. Not many years ago an American college tourist was arrested with one spliff and handcuffed to a bed for days before he was processed, during which time he got sick and had to go to the hospital. But most of the time cops, and judges just like everyone else are just looking for a handout and want you to just leave your money and go home. But American influenced propaganda as well as tactics including road side stops, helicopter patrols, speed boats, and drug dogs are the norm. Despite all this its still everywhere and deep in the culture. However do not assume that everyone there smokes. They don't and many do not appreciate the stereotype, they view asking every Jamaican about weed like going to Colombia and asking everyone about cocaine. Asking the wrong person can get you set up to buy from an undercover just like the states. In Jamaica just like everywhere else smoking weed instead of drinking is considered a low class, criminal class hobby. If you go make sure you pick your hotel wisely. Many resorts and chain hotels do not like pot smokers.Scoring weed in Jamaica should be a very easy thing to do. Many people come back from Jamaica and say they only have crappy schwag. The truth is no different than anywhere else. They saw you coming from a mile away. If they CAN sell you schwag at regular price than they most likely will. Or just rip you off entirely if you give them the chance. Weed is usually sold on the entire stem so when they are talking to a tourist if they pull out a fistful of 18 inch schwag buds and the guys eyes light up like he's never seen that much weed before in his life than the dealer has got his number already. He's not going to even show him the normal stuff he sells for 30 dollars an ounce if he knows he can sell this year old shit nobody else wants at the same price to this guy.Another dealer trick is to hand you the weed. Especially if you are in their field. We are used to being able to inspect and smell the herb before you get it. This is not necessarily the case in Jamaica. If its in your possession its yours. They may refuse to take it back and demand the money instead. It is often hard to understand Jamaicans and the tiny island has upwards of 700 murders per year. The last thing you want to do is get into an argument over a few dollars and hear "thieves answer to jah." So if the weed doesn't look like it interests you don't even sniff it. Don't give people a reason to not like you.But if you stay diligent there is good weed to be found. There are lord only knows how many growers on the island and three harvests a year so if you don't like what you are seeing keep asking. Someone will have good enough quality. Special resorts often keep higher quality for their smoking clientele if all else fails.For safety its a good idea not to go far from the hotel, don't go to the back of any businesses to get weed, make dealers bring it to you somewhere you feel safe. Don't ask just anyone and everyone for it be specific to someone you know is not a cop and probably is educated about good weed. And taxi drivers have been known to take money from police for dropping off dumb tourists into traps so beware. Don't smoke in public, find a safe spot. Don't buy pre-rolled joints they are probably just shake leaves. Don't give people money to come back. Basically don't do anything you wouldn't do in your home town is a good rule of thumb.Highliter in jamaica in early 80'sPRICES in JAMAICA vary all over the island but 95% of the tourists going to jamaica are going to Negril or Kingston. Roadside vendors with coconuts and fruit as well as small businesses often sell about a gram for a dollar, with a paper. Street dealers with ounces(guess-timated weight and not including stalks) usually sell them for 30-50 dollars or 200-350 USD for a whole lb. While it is true that herb actually sells for as little as 80usd per pound even for quality weed it is not right to pay that for it. Remember that this is not "the time machine" and Jamaicans are not morlocks there to serve you. They are a slave to a crippled economy and work their asses off to be able to feed their family. They risk their freedom selling weed and you should really think about which one of you truly knows the value of a hard days work before you haggle down an honest man to piles of weed for chump change. I don't know who said it but I'll never forget the words: "The extreme uncertainties of subsisting without working made excesses necessary and brakes definitive. Suicide took many, alcohol and the devil took care of the rest." What this means is if you have the money to go blunting, beer bonging, and tom catting around Jamaican resorts than you've got the kind of money to give some of the most hardworking people you'll ever meet a fair price for his product. It boils my blood when I hear people say they haggled down some dealer to next to nothing like screwing poor people out of money is something you should be impressed with.But do know that market style bartering is somewhat a part of Jamaican culture. So when you give him what you feel in your heart to be a fair price for what you bought and how much money you have make sure he knows you did not give him that much money because you are a stupid tourist, but instead as a tip.GROWING AND STORING METHODSJamaica has the same kinda helicopter patrols and snitches like the states. For growers to combat this they have done the same thing they do in NorCal. Very few big patches. It's an army of dedicated small growers spread out everywhere and they can't be stopped. When its all put together it makes their country full of weed.Jamaican growers have resorted to lugging thousands of lbs of soil through jungles and swamps, building raised soil beds in marshes, or planting on steep rocky cliffs with dams under the plants to catch water. Rarely are patches larger than 2 acres, with most of them being about a half an acre. An area is chosen and usually burned of vegetation and stumps, this is in part a problem of the islands deforestation. only 30% of the island is forested now and that is in part due to slash and burn techniques.The rocky shallow soil is pick axed into holes and amended with quality soil and ferts. Then they build something to collect and store rainwater. Not an easy task and once its done they usually stay at the same spot for many years. Jamaicans are big on organic ferts and frequently use bat guano, blood, various different types of shit and anything else you can imagine. Many of them even use no fertilizer at all.jamaican admiring his work on a steep hill Unfortunately despite being adept at grow techniques drying and curing is still a very primitive process for most jamaican growers. Probably less than half of the growers know how to properly dry and store weed for their climate conditions. This is what attributes to a lot of the negative stereotypes about Jamaican weed. Many of the growers simply machete chop the stem at the base above the soil line and just hang upside down. With no leaves removed, full stem and stalk, and the plants hanging closely next to one another in the high humidity it takes FOREVER for plants to dry like this and much is lost to mold. Some noticed they dried faster and without mold if they hung them in open sun, which deteriorates trichomes quickly and turns buds brown, others started drying in sheet metal shacks in the sun which are like an oven. Then they simply store it in bags. Another common technique is to hang buds close to an open fire which is a quick way of drying and attributes to many of the "smoky" sterotypes of Jamaican herb smells.But there are wise growers that learned and have great kind bud and know how to properly dry and store it in the humid climate. To do so they trim buds into small branches, split the stems for drying, and remove all large leaves. Left in open breezy shady areas the weed dries just fine. After being trimmed to their liking they store by burying in water proof containers like buckets or ice chests. Weed will stay perfect like this well past the next harvest. Many growers live year round with their plants tending them next to their vegetables and tend them everyday, but it doesn't stop the quick deterioration rates of weed in heat, and the ignorance that comes with failed infrastructure, and lack of electricity for anything including AC. So it is no surprise there are alot of dealers looking to sell the cheap over abundant schwag to someone dumb enough to take it. So make sure you choose wisely. Dank is certainly available to be had when a proper grower produced it.COMMERCIAL JAMAICANUnlike the situation in Mexico the Jamaican weed is usually not brought in by cartels. Or if it is they operate under enough privacy that they don't make waves. Jamaican weed import is a tiny fraction of what it once was. the distance and no border makes it alot harder to get shipments in. Mostly only found in Amsterdam coffee shops and other small shipments. Smugglers lining the bottoms of boxes in fishing boats, and shipping containers, usually are freelancing it. Buying it with their own money and smuggling it at their own risk to private markets. They usually choose the weed they want from several growers, whittle it off the giant stems they sell it on, brick it and ship it. But it simply can't come through in the amounts without the organization and dedication of a large cartel.The entire Caribbean shares most of the same strains and the best spot for collecting Caribbean bagseed in the US would have to be south florida hands down.wallyduck's photo of jamaican ganja they bought for hashmaking. Don't forget to watch the ICMAG dvd. photos from gypsy __________________

The point I'm trying to make here... is that there there ain't no point to it. Thats all it is. Because there ain't no point. You didn't ask to come here and you sure can't choose how to leave. You don't know when you're going to go. So don't take this shit serious now. You better have some fun and plenty of it. Because when the shit is over and you ask for a refund its too late. All I can tell you is to keep some sunshine on your face. -Mudbone Last edited by motaco; 02-18-2012 at 07:02 PM ..