36 MAY 11-17, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | REAL ESTATE | RENTALS | HEALTH WELLNESS | SERVICES | EMPLOYMENT | ADULT | MUSIC | CLASSIFIED | A S K A S T O N E R BY HERBERT FUEGO Dear Stoner: Why does it seem like I notice a new grower every time I visit the weed store? Gabe Dear Gabe: Last time we checked with the state Marijuana Enforcement Division, there were almost 710 growing licenses active in Colorado, and that’s only the recreational side. Although not all of these businesses are operational and bigger players have multiple licenses, the number of medical and recre- ational growers in Colorado is well into the hundreds. With so many businesses, many of which are young and new to branding, you’re bound to notice unfamiliar names and faces while shopping at dispensaries. Still, I’ve noticed hot new cultivation names on menus recently as well, like Hi-Fuel and Meraki. It’s hard to know every new grower’s story, but I will say that growing licenses, equip- ment and facilities are for sale at very cheap prices as businesses close during Colorado’s cannabis recession. The down market has enabled smaller, more nimble (and talented) growers to open shop and make names for themselves, while corporate weed quality races to the bottom. Just another example of why this plant is so hard to kill. Dear Stoner: Where can I fi nd some cheesy weed? I know it’s out there, but the names aren’t as overt anymore. Dairyman Dear Dairyman: Don’t let the public’s obsession with candy weed deter you, brother. There’s plenty of cheese and funk to be smoked out here, even if you don’t know which strain names to look for. First off, it’s all about spotting keywords in strain names. “Cheese” is an obvi- ous one, but “Cheddar,” “Cream” and “Funk” are all terms that you should seek out, too. Many of the classic Cheese varieties from the United Kingdom are extinct, though some growers might advertise otherwise — but strains with very similar fl avors are abundant. Antero Sciences’ Blue Cheese is a good hold- over from past decades, while Verde Natural’s Hazelnut Cream, Locol Love’s Super Lemon Cheddar and Cherry’s Morockin’ Kush (also known as Rockin’ Kush) are modern varieties in Denver with extremely pungent cheese characteristics. Chiesel, Granola Funk and Mac and Cheese are also relatively attain- able, and so is Apple Fritter, a sweet-tasting strain with goat cheese and honey notes. If all else fails, a good dispensary with a decent budtender should have no trouble guiding you through the cheese section. Send questions to [email protected]. 720-401-9303 303-356-2882 $30 USE COUPON CODE ROCKIES OFF SUNSETWELLNESSDENVER.COM TEXT OR CALL AFTER 3PM GET YOUR MED CARD WHILE ON PROBATION! SAVE $$$$$ ON TAXES EXAMS MMJ DOCTORS WARNING: Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: 1. Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); 2. Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; 3. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder / dependence, including physical and psychological dependence
