28 OCTOBER 3-9, 2024 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: I enjoy psilocybin microdose pills, but would like to start powderizing the mushrooms and packing the capsules myself. How do I go about ensuring each pill is similar in potency and effects? Gravedale Dear Gravedale: Making capsules at home is incredibly easy if you have a reliable mush- room source. All you need is a mini scale, an electric grinder and a pack of fi llable capsules. These can be bought together for less than it costs to buy an eighth of mush- rooms in most cities, and you’re set for good. Grind the mushrooms, weigh out a preferred microdose amount, and pack ’em up! Each capsule won’t contain the same amount of psilocybin. Although experienced growers can dial in pretty consistent effects and psilocybin potency with their batches, every bag you buy will be slightly differ- ent. But if you stick to the same strain and source and stay diligent at weighing out each capsule, you should be sitting pretty. After nailing down that part, it’s time to start add- ing non-psychoactive mushrooms, like reishi and lion’s mane, to the capsules for health and wellness benefi ts as you dose. Dear Stoner: I’ve recently retired after 45 years as a government employee. It’s been fun smoking weed again, but these dispen- sary products and methods are total gibber- ish. How can I have fun without getting in over my head? Michael Dear Michael: Do you have a younger rela- tive who’s of age? Going to the pot shop with someone trustworthy and well versed in dispensary lingo is always the best route. Budtenders can be helpful in those situations, too, but there’s always a risk of being steered toward overly potent or expensive products. No matter what, you need to go into a dis- pensary with a game plan. Don’t let them pull out a dozen jars or products after asking if it’s your fi rst time in, and be direct. If it’s regular ol’ weed you need, then tell them that, and don’t fall for THC potency percentages or indica/ sativa bullshit. Use your eyes and nose to judge strains, and pay a little extra for the good stuff. Edibles are a little easier to parse, but make sure to nibble and dose yourself slowly, whatever you buy. Stay away from pre-rolls; they’re largely full of crap. Avoid wax, vapes, rosin or any sort of extraction for now, too. As a born-again toker, you’re still years away from needing anything that concentrated. Send questions to [email protected]. 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 Programmatic Cannabis Network Organic & Local SEO • Website Design Social Media Management • Print Media Get started today with a FREE Digital Audit. marijuanamarketingxperts.com