New User Here: Sources and costs in Western Washington State? Olympia area?

I'm a new medical user, totally inexperienced with pot, a real novice. So I hope you all will be patient with me and forgive any stupid questions or comments I make. I will post some questions about using it later, but here I will put some questions about getting it, the best kinds (your recommendations), and what it should cost.

I live in the Olympia area, 35 miles south of Tacoma. I have severe Crohn's disease. My dr. gave me an Rx but said she didn't have a clue where to get it (we're both learning, I guess). I did some research and found a place in Tacoma that provides it. I went there and got some information, and three different types of marijuana, but it was kind of confusing and I still have a lot of questions.

I don't know if it would be better to post these questions one at a time. I'll post them as a group here, and if I don't get the info I need from this post, I'll post them separately (I'm trying not to monopolize the forum).

1. As it was explained to me, there are two basic types: Indica and Sativa. Indica is more potent, and gives a stronger, sleepy high. Sativa is lighter and gives more of an "upper" type high. Is this correct?

2. There were some types that were pure "I" (indica), pure "S" (sativa), I/S (combined with more I than S), and S/I (more S than I). There were maybe 20 or 30 different varieties. Several were the same designation (eg, "I") but with different names. I don't understand why this is, what's the difference?

3. What are some good varieties you've used? I got three grams, one each of these types:
> Blue Dream (S)
> Candy Kush (I)
> KC Jones (S/I)
Any info, suggestions, or comments you have on these? I smoked a little of the KC Jones, and a little Candy Kush (different nights of course). Seems like the Kush was stronger, or maybe I inhaled a little more, I dunno...

4. What is a reasonable price to pay? The place I found in Tacoma charges (asks, it's a donation of course) $12/gram, which is about $340/ounce. From what I've read this sounds reasonable compared to what others are paying. But when I read a recipe for MJ cookies, for example, it might call for 3/4 ounce for a batch of cookies. Sounds like pretty expensive cookies! Am I missing something?

5. I'm really confused about the edibles, but maybe I should ask that in another posting, because it might be more detailed and need more room.

Anyway - Sorry for rambling. You can see that I'm a real novice. Any advice or information you can give would be very greatly appreciated. Thanks...

I'd buy edibles at the dispensary until you meet with a provider. But you will only need a cookie or perhaps 2 for a dosage. I'd recommend google for "best types of marijuana strains for crohn's disease" For pain relief an indica is better than a sativa. It will also aid you more in getting to sleep. If I was you I'd flat out tell them the problem and what you are hoping to get from the marijuana (good night's sleep...appetite increase) and let them tell you the best that they have on stock. (FYI...many indicas also increase appetite)

Here is the first strain that came to my mind with a brief description of it's effects:

"Afghani #1: This strain comes from the Landrace lineage. It is used by patients suffering from muscle spasms and chronic pain and it is used as an anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and to stimulate appetite. It is easy to grow and has an earthy taste. "

.#1 you are correct #2 yeah the i/s &s/i are hybrid strains i/s being indica dominant & vice versa their are so many varities because some r stronger and they have differant flavors.
#3cheese (s/i) #4 250-300$ for a oz. or 10 a gm. #5 edibles give more of a body high than a head high and last longer hope this helped
peace

I also have Crohn's disease..Indicas will work the best..also medibles work very well..the more potent the better so you dont have to eat so much! because most medibles are sweets..

You know...you MIGHT want to consider growing your medicine. You won't need more than a plant or two at a time. The type of plants you need (heavy indicas) are also the easiest plants of them all to grow.
They flower quickest and produce the heavier yields too. AND a There are about 10,000 people here that can help you learn to grow. Then your medicine would be "dirt" cheap. You can make cookies off the leaves (that are near the buds and have
a sugar-y looking substance on them) from the plant...thus saving all the buds for your smoke.

Here are some strains and links to reputable web sites where you can obtain them. I've only included links to "feminized" strains. They are going to grow into girls (females make the flowers that you smoke/use)
Regular seeds are generally 60% females, 40% males.
Afghan Kush: http://www.cannabis-seeds-bank.co.uk/world-of-seeds/world-of-seeds-medical-collection/world-of-seeds-medical-collection-afghan-kush-x-skunk-feminized/prod_812.html
Nepal Kush: https://www.seedboutique.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1728
White Rhino: https://www.seedboutique.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1944
Medi Kush: https://www.seedboutique.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1947

Rough ballpark guesstimate: You will get about 2 ounces of bud off each plant. Rough ballpark estimate of cost of start-up of a budget concerned indoor closet grower: $300 for everything including your first pack of seeds.
After that...you have electric which will be a VERY minimal uptick with a 250 watt mh/hps light used and dirt and seeds. So plant one saves you about $300. Every plant afterwards will save you in the ballpark of $550 each.
I am being conservative too as you will get better at growing...you are growing high yielding strains...so the savings will be better n better n better as you go down the line.

Some more links to seeds that imo will help you.

Kushberry: http://www.cannabis-seeds-bank.co.uk/dna-genetics-kushberry-feminized/prod_697.html
(note: a hybrid has both sativa and indica in it...some people like the more alert stone of a sativa...so maybe you want to think of sativa as being "energetic"...a little sativa in a mostly indica plant like the kushberry
above might be nice if you want a afternoon, earlier in the evening smoke)
RockLock: http://www.cannabis-seeds-bank.co.uk/dna-genetics-rocklock-feminized/prod_750.html
Northern Lights: http://www.cannabis-seeds-bank.co.uk/nirvana-seeds/nirvana-seeds-feminized/nirvana-seeds-northern-light-feminized/prod_941.html
(note: many growers have reported that one of the cheapest seeds (linked above Nirvana's Norther Lights) is also one of the best due to ease of growth, low odor in growing, and being a predominantly indica plant with a typical indica high)

I'd recommend starting with the Nirvana Northern Lights. You will screw up quite a few things your first grow perhaps...best to learn on a easy to grow plant that is also cheap)

Hooray for ur Dr to perscribe MMJ, but since no pharmacies can stock mj because federal law, take ur Rx and get an appt with the THC Foundation. It will cost around $200 but they will schedual u an appt with one of their Dr. Once u get legal u can posses 28 oz and, or grow 15 plants. They will also give a paper with many sources , some even deliver. U can find thc number in little nickle or google it. Call them, they will be glad to help and r great ppl to work with. LOL

I have a thcf RX too. Any DRs recommendation is every bit as "legal". Some homeopaths etc are too now. Welcome to the confused world of WA MMJ. I'm up north of Seattle or I'd offer you some personal help getting oriented. I found getting started was harder than getting my certification and was very confused by the situation myself when I started. My MMJ related business is now licensed and will start open business in January 2011. Because people need help out there. It took me months and hundreds (thousands, pretty close) of dollars to get my meds when I started.

1) check the internet for strains best advised for your condition.
2) Grow your own or join a co-op to keep it affordable. Some "providers" are starting to surface but I don't know how they operate.
3) Don't over complicate it. It's simpler than you think. Just alot of new info at once. It will get easier.
4) feel free to contact me directly via PM and I will answer anything I can or direct you to legit people or places who can.

Tacoma Cross. Great people, product, reasonable prices. A vaporizer may workout well for you.

Thanks, everyone. I've been out of town and unable to view the responses to this post for awhile, but was surprised by how much help was offered when I got to see them. I'm going to read them all more carefully and extract all the great info that I know is there.

I haven't used my medicine for a couple of weeks because I've been out of town (and didn't feel safe taking on an airline flight, checked or carry-on, even with an Rx). Now that I'm back I'm going to start learning more about it, and experimenting to find out what works best. All the info you provided will be very helpful, I'm sure.

Thanks again, everyone! Any further advice, or just chit chat, would be welcome any time!

appleseed said:

Why do people with oxycodone and percodan in their medicine cabinet treat me like scum for using cannabis for pain?

Click to expand...

Isn't that the truth?! Or even ibuprofen (which was an Rx until a few years ago), or aspirin which is far more deadly in excess than cannabis. Or alcohol, for that matter...