Weed Lifestyle

California Medical Marijuana | source: http://www.jeremyenke.com/2008/08/09/the-enke-griswold-family-vacation-bethany-beach-delaware/Being a transplant to California, many things out here catch me a bit off-guard, but our California medical marijuana system, now that’s something special. I was a California resident in 1996 and voted for Proposition 215 that brought our current medical marijuana system into existence. So far I’m pleasantly surprised by what California medical marijuana has to offer. If only we could get the Feds to stop raiding our state sanctioned facilities (and work to bring down the quasi-black market prices). I digress…

My “Summer” vacation was about to get underway in mid-September. Last Saturday morning we were packing up the family to drive 325 miles (~6 hours) to Santa Barbara, CA for a week of mellowing out in nice weather within walking distance to the beach and wine tasting, another Californian past-time. For this vacation we were driving, not leaving the state of California and I am a California medical marijuana patient; conclusion: I will be taking my weed along for the ride. As a side note to Bay Area vacationers, you can fly out of San Francisco Airport or Oakland Airport and know that you will not be bothered for medical marijuana. Remember, if you leave the state be prepared to deal with local destination state and Federal laws (because  you’ve crossed state borders). I recommend sticking to California if you choose to fly. I also always recommend traveling with your doctor recommendation just in case someone wants to spar with you.

Back to my story: When I get off the BART train at the end of my Friday commute home, I detour over to my local medical marijuana dispensary to see what cannabis strains they have in stock. My intentions are to pickup a quarter ounce of Blue Dream (sativa dominant hybrid) to balance out the Banana Kush (pure indica) that I have at home. The Blue Dream for daytime hanging on the beach, flying kites with the kid and being productive, and the Banana Kush for later in the evening when I want to catch up on writing and sleep soundly. Unfortunately when I arrived at my dispensary, they were out of Blue Dream. I’m lucky that the bud-tender was very knowledgeable and suggested that I try Tangerine (a pure sativa) in place of my favorite Blue Dream. I purchased the Tangerine and then walked a few blocks home to my flat.

Life has been a little crazy so we have barely packed anything for the trip, translation: this is going to be a long night of getting things together. I fire up my Tangerine and feel the effects of a pure sativa. The Tangerine strain delivers a fully alert head-high, but with a slight hint of “this is interesting” reality. This is great weed for daytime activities or anytime you need to get something done, like running around packing for your “summer” vacation. In fact, the more I experience, the more I realize that Tangerine is perfect for my summer vacation at the beach. Good call bud-tender!

California Medical Marijuana | source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara,_California

Santa Barbara, CA

Saturday morning, we pile all of the family gear into our wagon and jump onto 101 South. Being a California medical marijuana patient, I am legally allowed to possess 8 ounces of weed, so the half ounce of weed I bring in the car is not even worth talking about with any Californian cop that we may have to deal with along the way. Just bring your Prop 215 doctor recommendation and your weed is not part of the conversation. I know what you are thinking, 8 ounces, how can I sustain myself with only 8 ounces? Well rest assured that Proposition 215 allows for a specific doctor recommendation for medical marijuana in excess of 8 ounces!

The very best part is that my wife drove the entire 325 miles of the trip, so my vacation started early as I could be blissfully medicated with my sativa and she could enjoy her drive without my backseat driving, everybody wins. As fate would have it, we arrived in the driveway of our VRBO at exactly 4:20pm. Now I have been here for a few days in the warm, dry southern California weather, with my family, a private terrace and my weed, this is going to be (and has been) a great trip!