Mind, Body and Soul
The holidays are over and so is 2018, and we understand if you’re feeling a little bruised, weary, ready for a reset. January is a good time for that, and for some self-repair. Fortunately, you don’t have to look far to find soothing balm. For some, gazing at a snow-topped Mount Baker, bathed in winter’s alpine glow, can do the trick. For others, it’s art or music, a day at the spa or in a bubbly tub. Healing — the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again — sounds perfect for this time of year. Over the next few pages, we give you some ideas to start repairing mind, body, soul. So find a comfortable nook, pour a mug of hot tea, and settle in. (You might want to gather some coloring pencils, too.) Enjoy.
My First Trip to a Pot Shop Started with Nervousness, Ended with Hope
I’m standing in front of Anacortes Cannabis, a marijuana dispensary, ready to make my maiden voyage into legally purchasing marijuana. I have a mild case of anxiety and sleeplessness and I’m ready to try marijuana as relief. I’m a bit nervous, because I don’t “speak weed.” So, here goes nothing.
Once inside, my ID is verified, and I’m greeted by the very friendly Raina Dobson, a budtender and supervisor, and Eugene Leonard, the owner. I tell them my ailments, and Leonard immediately asks me, “Have I ever used cannabis before?” My answer, “Not really,” leads him to recommend a tincture with a low dosage of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) with CBD (Cannabidiol) and CBN (cannabinol). Leonard explains to me that every person’s reaction to cannabis is different, so they like to start with a lower dose of THC. “The thing about cannabis is that you have to find what works for you.” He takes the time to explain THC and CBD, Indica strains, Sativa strains, and Hybrid strains. “Indica strains are more calming. We like to call them “indacouch.” Sativa are more of a stimulating, uplifting, mind-focusing type of cannabis.” I’m feeling better already.
The store itself is nice, and quite busy the day I’m there. It’s divided in to a CBD room and a THC room. Dobson, the budtender, explains they keep them separate so it’s easier for customers to find what they are looking for. In each room, the walls are filled with clear packages showcasing little green nuggets of marijuana with tags indicating the THC and CBD content and plastic vials of concentrates — oil extracted from cannabis plants. Glass display cases hold edibles, individual joints, topicals, and glass pipes and vaporizers for using marijuana flowers and oils.
What makes Anacortes Cannabis stand out is the adjacent business, Anacortes Natural Medicine. The naturopath on staff can help you understand the benefits of medical marijuana, how to get a medical authorization, and provide a recommendation before you go next door to purchase.
All in all, this was an incredibly positive experience. I don’t know what I was nervous about. The professionals at Anacortes Cannabis helped a novice like me understand the differences in their products, which could work for me, and how the products provide relief. I left with a sleep tincture, a topical lotion and a dark chocolate bar. Let the healing begin!
