tFS: Happy Holidays 2008
December 25th, 2008 by Alex
The time has come for us to slow down over the holiday season, but first we want to wish all our readers a Happy Holidays and New Year. It’s time to kick back by the fire and get some relax time on the books.
We’ve had an amazing last 1/3rd of 2008 with our site re-launch and want to thank everyone who visits tFS for making it grow into one of the most unique blogs on the internet.
Posting will be intermittent while we work on new content for the upcoming year, so don’t get too feisty.
We’ve got some big plans for 2009, stick around and you’ll see what we mean. Keep it fresh and we’ll see you on the flip side.
+ theFreshScent Team
First Time Growers: Common Mistakes
December 24th, 2008 by Silvio
Growing is easy right? You buy some seeds, source a couple of pots, grab lights, dump in the soil and then instantly start to grow weed. Sounds pretty simple!
Well, it is… until the first real roadblock makes itself known.
Luckily, we are here to get you past those roadblocks before they even materialize. Just remember; every mistake you are about to make, someone before you did the exact same thing. So, lets try and avoid the most common mistakes made by first time growers.
1) Overwatering
Overwatering kills your plants. Simple as that.
Only water once the top few inches of soil dries out, just stick your finger in the pot and test if it’s dry. Hydroponics is very hard to over-water, due to the abundance of water roots, but it’s still a good idea to keep a close watch.
2) Telling Other People
This should be obvious.
Telling other people will only make them jealous, it also gives them power over you. People love to feel important, if 4 weeks from now there’s a disagreement, you have no idea (or control of) who finds out there’s a grow-up at your house. So don’t tell anyone anything unless you absolutely have to. Keep it to yourself.
3) Touch / Kill Germinating Seeds
Waiting is never nice, especially for germination. But remember, some seeds may take up to ten days until they sprout. Some growers will tell you the paper towel method is not recommended because you must personally handle the seeds when transferring from the paper towel to your growing medium. I think that’s not a problem, just be careful and hygienic when handling your seeds.
Read the rest of Silvio’s tips after the jump!
tFS: ‘Last Minute’ Holiday Gift Guide 2008
December 24th, 2008 by Tim
Planning on getting so smashed at a friend’s Christmas party that you’ll need a gift ready to apologize? Forget someone important on your list and know a make-up present is due?
Don’t worry about it. theFreshScent has you covered with some last minute gifts that sure as hell won’t arrive by Christmas, but will make whoever gets them forget that you threw up all over the fruitcake and poinsettias.
From cheap to expensive, big to small, and in no particular order.
Check ‘em out:
1) Slingbox Pro-HD
Price: $250
Where: Info here / Purchase here
What: HD-Streaming video straight from your DVR to any web-connected device.
2) iPhone Gift Card
Price: $25 – $2500
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: The best touchscreen phone. Period. Only difference is this won’t break during shipping.
3) Manjunk Bodywash
Price: $20/bottle (Xmas Special = Buy 2, Get 1 Free)
Where: Info here / Purchase here
What: Personal wash for guys who don’t want their junk to smell like … well … junk.
4) 2009 Mishka Calendar
Price: $30
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: A classy calendar for 2009 – pierced sweeties and dope gear.
5) Art. Lebedev Umbrella
Price: $47
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: An umbrella that literally tells rain to go fuck off.
6) Fire & Flavor Rubs Gift Set
Price: $25 – $50
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: Make what you cook taste better: grilling planks, rubs, spice kits and more.
7) Book: Leary On Drugs
Price: $25 (w/ shipping)
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: A collection of writings by psychedelic mastermind Timothy Leary.
8) Volcano Vaporizer System
Price: $539 (Classic) / $669 (Digital)
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: Simply the best & healthiest smoking device on planet earth.
9) Drinxx Playing Cards
Price: $7.50
Where: Info + Purchase here
What: There’s 52 drink recipes on 52 playing cards – go ahead and invent your own drinking games.
10) BACTrack Breathalyzer
Price: $80
Where: Info here / Purchase here
What: Most accurate ‘mouthpiece-less’ breathalyzer – don’t get a DUI, they seriously suck.
Fine Lines: Legalization Vs. Decriminalization
December 24th, 2008 by PerryPresident-elect Barack Obama has repeated several times he is not for legalization, he is for de-criminalization.
Obama continually refers to “changing paradigms” with how we police drugs, referring to the drug war as “an utter failure.” Unfortunately, how much of it is partisan rhetoric, how much he wants to change, and how much he can change are all still in the speculation stages.
What is known is that the economy is by and large an overwhelming concern. And if you look at the popular support afforded presidents who have turned around the economy, they usually enjoy political dominance in a second term – which is when many predict, if ever, we’ll see legitimate action on drug policy legislation by Obama and his administration.
New AG Comments on Legalization
December 24th, 2008 by Perry
A Phoenix-area newspaper reported Attorney General-elect Terry Goddard made comments acknowledging the financial benefits of legalization.
Since marijuana accounts for 75 percent of cartel’s money, Goddard referenced the old “it-could-cetainly-help-the-economy” argument. Adding if taxable, the money would also put a dent in the cartel’s profit margin.
The statement came after Arizona officials broke up a ring that accounts for nearly 400,000 pounds of marijuana into the state every year. Goddard also mentioned a number of hurdles still remained, not the least of which involve changing the perception of the drug East of the Rockies and South of the Mason-Dixon line, from a street narcotic to its legitimate medicinal status.
There’s always a catch though, Goddard includes the conditional caveats of being able to fully control distribution and a system to track who’s smoking pot. The government doesn’t track every person who has a beer after work, so I’m not on board with Goddard’s last requirement.
Beauty Queen Rides Shotgun Con Banditos
December 24th, 2008 by Perry
Making headlines and punch-lines all around the world, a beauty queen found in a pick-up truck full of weapons might cause embarrassment anywhere else. Luckily, Laura Zuniga represents Sinaloa, Mexico’s most violent and drug-trade addled state.
Zuniga, 23, was held with seven others at a military checkpoint in Guadalajara on Tuesday. Also in the truck were several alleged drug traffickers, assault rifles, a dozen cell phones and some cash. Authorities were working on a tip against one of the men arrested, who is supposed to be a member of the Juarez cartel, a powerful player in the drug business.
Reuters reports Zuniga won the Miss Sinaloa title in July and planned to participate in Miss International 2009. Zuniga also earned the title, “Queen of Hispanic America 2008,” and for the record, is smoking hot.
A Bronx Tale’s Reduced Jailtime Ending
December 23rd, 2008 by Alex
In what could have been a final re-write to the movie known as life, former actor Lillo Brancato avoided a second-degree murder charge for the shooting death of an off duty police officer.
Nothing about this one is pretty. A dead cop, an angry relative, one man in jail for life and Lillo Brancato with a 3 year sentence (almost fully served by now).
After a night of getting hammered, Brancato and his partner Steven Armento broke into an apartment looking for pills of the prescription nature. The case is a lot of ‘he said / she said’ and boils down to the fact that Brancato wasn’t aware his partner in the robbery attempt had a gun on him.
Interestingly, Brancato said in court that his addiction to heroin and pills all started with teenage drinking and marijuana use. The old gateway theory in action…
Before you think the famous guy is getting off easy, it looks like prosecutors are looking for a maximum sentence of 15 years for the attempted robbery charge against Brancato. Sentencing is January 9th of next year.
Legal MMJ User Jailed for 21 Days in SLO
December 23rd, 2008 by Perry
Following a smell complaint from his landlord, San Luis Obispo sheriffs raided Richard Steenken’s apartment and took 43 plants, marijuana and hash.
The only problem is, Steenken had doctor’s permission and a state county ID card. He showed an expired doctor’s note, but had a valid county card with online verification which only takes a few minutes.
In the past, SLO County Sheriff Patrick Hedges has a reputation locally for testing the protections of Prop. 215 and the protections offered under Senate bill 420.
However, Charles Lynch’s conviction made California re-assess its policy and guidelines addressing these gaps were given out by the attorney general. Sheriff Sgt. Rick Neufeld, who said checking Steenken’s patient status would generally be part of procedure, however Steenken was over the limit allowed by law, regardless.
It brings up the legality of grow limitations, which are different in most of the 13 states where MMJ is legislated. Both sides say the problem is the limits are ambiguous those who take care of multiple patients and when more than one patient lives together, an issue has been repeatedly challenged by both sides while it awaits clarity.
An investigation into the incident has yet to uncover why Steenken’s card was not verified while he waited in jail for three weeks.
