Burnout, dirty w**d…
And the pursuit of perfection
When I get home and pull my car into the driveway, I like to turn off the engine and just sit silently in my car for a moment. It’s a moment of peace and quiet where no one needs anything from me. Here in my quiet place there are no screaming cats, chores, piles of dishes, unanswered emails, or social media messages. Just warm sunshine on my face and chirping birds.
This fatigue and exhaustion I’m feeling, do you feel this too? Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling too much emotional, physical, and mental fatigue for too long.
Burnout from work is the most commonly discussed, but what about burnout from… existing and navigating today’s modern world? If you are someone who is neurodivergent, ADHD burnout is an even more intense version which can be caused by prolonged stress of expending more cognitive energy to keep up and living up to societal expectations.
The pursuit of perfection. We’re our own harshest critic and rarely offer ourselves the same compassion or empathy that we extend to others. Perfectionism is elusive and never-ending, so why do we do this to ourselves?
C*nn*b*s can help manage symptoms of ADHD, stress, and depression. Cannabinoids interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system to maintain balance to help relieve symptoms of anxiety, pain, and depression. I’ve written about how it can help boost productivity and focus.
However, I notice that as I sit here with dull disinterest while criticizing myself for not being more productive, I acknowledge that I’m burned out, exhausted, and my body is oversaturated with c*nn*b*s. I’ve reached the end of a 6-week edibles judging binge, where I’ve consumed at least 2-3 edibles a day in addition to too many bong rips to soothe my stress. I need to reset to have a healthier relationship with the plant.
It’s time for a tolerance break. Going cold turkey and stopping all consumption is not how I’m approaching my t-break, because it’s still important for my body to have access to cannabinoids. I’m going to significantly reduce my consumption by limiting myself to one edible every day or two, at a lower dose, and pause on smoking. More outdoor time, yoga, stretching, naps in the hammock, and digging around in the dirt.
Shoutout to Anna the Cannabinista, who has an EXCELLENT Tolerance Break Guide (free to download) and educational content on YouTube.
Did you know that digging around in the dirt can act as an antidepressant? Soil has a very specific bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae that triggers the release of serotonin, the happy chemical in our brain. Let’s get dirt-y!
Vol. 36 // In this Issue:
Dirty w**d and pesticides
How to find clean c*nn*b*s
Garden update
Event roundup
Dirty W**d and Pesticides
A recent investigative piece “The dirty secret of California’s legal w**d” by the Los Angeles Times reminded us that legal w**d is not necessarily clean. Consumers are rightfully concerned about the safety and cleanliness of products they were promised to be safe and lab-tested.
The brands listed were not surprising for anyone who's been in this industry for a minute. Use your dollars to support the brands and people who care enough to do it right.
How to find clean c*nn*b*s
I wrote a Guide: How to Choose Clean C*nn*b*s that outlines what to look for and what questions to ask you budtender. In a nutshell:
Certifications: Sun & Earth, O-Cal, Clean Green certified.
Know Your Farmer: Know who grows your herb, ask about their growing practices, visit the farm if possible.
Shop Organic: Visit shops that carry craft, sun-grown, Sun + Earth certified flower.
Grow Your Own: If you have the space, growing your own organic flower is the best way to know exactly what’s in your za.
In California, the best places to find organic, regeneratively-grown w**d are at Cornerstone Wellness (East LA), The Woods (West Hollywood), ERBA (West LA), Green Goddess (Venice), Solful (SF + Sonoma), Sespe Creek (Ojai), and Torrey Pines Holistics (San Diego).
’s new book “Green Scenes” lists and curates a guide of legal destinations across the U.S. that are operated by people and philosophies that contribute to a more ethical and diverse industry. Read ’s interview with Lauren on Cannabitch.Grow your own
Just like growing vegetables in your home garden, w**d is… a weed and grows best outdoors in the summer sun. Check your local state, county, and city laws on homegrow for where you can legally grow c*nn*b*s.
I’ve been tagging along to workshops with Grow It From Home this spring and there’s a gardening revolution happening. Home gardeners are curious and interested in growing at home but aren’t going to dispensaries to buy seeds and seedlings. People of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and experience want to know info, plant seedlings, and be involved in the entire process from seed to harvest.
Emily was mobbed by elderly women at a seed swap event. Workshops across LA were sold out and packed with home gardeners. I gave my mom a couple plants to grow, they’re still alive! A friend’s dad loves growing the plant but doesn’t consume it, he just thinks it’s a neat plant to grow. He told me he noticed that his arthritic hands hurt less from just the hands-on gardening experience.
This email from an older gentleman who got seedlings from Grow It From Home crushed me.
“I want you to know that your plants arrived very healthy and strong, after two weeks they were thriving. Sadly I was shamed by my family for planting them and had to pull them out. I was really looking forward to the growth cycle and learning more about C*nn*bIs. Maybe at a future time I can try again.”
💔 Why is there so much shame and fear associated with a plant?
Gardening Club
I’m so stoked about my refreshed garden. Adrian of LA Homegrow transformed by lower garden into a w**d and tea garden. A giant 7-foot-tall OG Kush plant stretches up towards the sun while providing shade to delicate herbs and flowers. There’s yerba santa, chamomile, borage, mint, lemon verbena, and sage, plus shorter, bushier varieties in front that create lush w**dscaping to absorb the hot summer sun.
In the back garden, a new critter-proof raised bed just got planted with eggplants, chives, arugula, lacinato kale, and baby w**d seedlings interspersed throughout. Seeing these plants alongside my summer vegetables makes me smile. Wait til you see the w**d coop and open-air greenhouse that’s being erected where the chicken coop used to be.
These plants are currently in growth and veg state, which means they’re growing big and mostly just leaves. Flowering stage happens in August, stay tuned for updates!
Speaking of using your dollars to support businesses and people who care, check out these c*nn*b*s-friendly community garden centers and plant shops in Los Angeles that are worth a visit for all your dirt-y plant needs.
LatinX with Plants (East LA)
Tansy (Burbank)
Fig Earth Supply (East LA)
C&S Garden (South Bay)
International Garden Center (South Bay)
HIGH-ly Recommended Events
6/25 - Elevated Sound Bath Meditation, with Sacred Sounds by Devon hosted by THCnTechno. $5 of every ticket will be donated to the LA LBGT Center in honor of pride month. | Los Angeles
6/29 - Jiji’s Jazz Club, live music by Tída, jam sesh, dim sum, wine and cocktails. | Downtown Los Angeles
6/30 - Mahjong Mistress: Summer Golden Hour. Mahjong lessons, light bites, and drinks at a Japanese garden in Little Tokyo. | Downtown Los Angeles
7/12 - Cloud9 Disco Party, sparkle and shine at this disco-themed herbal extravaganza with live music, herbal-infused cocktails, disco treats, and dancing all night long. | Oakland
7/14 - Mogu Magu Magic! Garden Party, an experiential art exhibit and immersive fashion show in collaboration with LANG x Dawang. | East Los Angeles
7/20 - Toke & Tea, Moments with Standstill Tea. A modern w**d teahouse with tea and toke pairings featuring Moon Made Farms and teahouse snack menu by Chef Wendy Zeng. | East Los Angeles
Until 7/21 - Reefer Madness the Musical | A delightful award-winning musical about pot propaganda. Now playing at The Whitley theater, starring Kristen Bell, Alan Cumming, and Neve Campbell. | Los Angeles (Hollywood)
8/17-18 - The Emerald Cup, world-famous craft c*nn*b*s marketplace, awards ceremony, live music, and entertainment. | Oakland
9/21 - Hall of Flowers Festival, the first open to the public market and festival with live music, immersive activations, glassblowing, and a culinary c*nn*b*s experience hosted by Sonoma Hills Farm with James Beard, Michelin star winners, and Top Chef contestants. | Santa Rosa
9/29 - PuffCon Block Party, the best party of the year for Puffco owners and dab connoisseurs. Must own a Puffco Peak, Proxy or Peak Pro with valid serial number, or know a friend with one. | Downtown Los Angeles
Speaking of serotonin hits, how CUTE are these Tie-Dye Rainbow Pride earrings from High On Plants?!
XOXO, Christina W.
