Strain of the Month: Apple Tart 

Strain of the Month: Apple Tart 

Appe Tart opened a whole new world for apple strain loving enthusiasts. It feels and tastes like confectionary glory handed down by the gods of weed and bakers. A strain with a mission bred to be the most flavorful apple strain on the market. This bud was designed to make mouths water and eyes dry; the plant traces its lineage back to the green thumbs at Clearwater Genetics. Apple Tart is the new giant of the apple strains towering over all others. It doesn’t matter if you eat edibles infused with it, vape it, dab it, or smoke it, Apple Tart hits the spot, so let’s look a little deeper into where this strain came from and what it is all about.  

The Lineage  

Apple Tart comes from a strong lineage of fruitful sweet strains; it a cross of Apple Fritter and Runtz. At the time, Apple Fritter was the ruler of apple strains and Runtz was gaining a reputation for being very sweet. Excitement surrounded Apple Tart from the moment it made its way into dispensaries and can be found in most dispensaries and many consumer’s homes. It almost immediately unseated Apple Fritter as the go-to apple strain and has never looked back. Apple Tart has become a strain that many smokers have grown to love for both its medicinal and recreational effects. Apple tart first rose to fame when Leafy named it one of its summer strains of 2022. 

The Basics 

Apple Tart leans slightly sativa but is balanced for the most part and generally tests around the 25% total THC mark. It is beloved by indica and sativa smokers alike. The strain makes for a superb summertime stain. Its fruity flavor almost beckons you into the sun to dance, frolic and get into some foolery. Apple Tart is simply a fun strain. It is balanced enough to provide joy for both indica and sativa smokers and sweet enough to unlock the hearts of those who generally shy away from sweet strains

The Aroma and Taste 

Apple Tart’s taste and aroma are true to its name. The buds are pristine and smell like fresh apples, hints of berries and subtle notes of cream and baked goods. The creamy sensation comes on once you spark it up. The combination of these well-paired flavors gives the strain its name. Hidden under those sweet delights are subtle tones of spice. This strain indeed does make your mouth water and your eyes dry. The dominant terpenes in Apple Tart are Linalool, Limonene, Farnesene, Caryophyllene, Humulene. Check out our terpenes blog for a more detailed overview of all the terpenes. 

Effects 

Apple Tart is known for having the mentally uplifting effects of sativa while maintaining the relaxing effects of an indica. It provides the consumer with a euphoric anxiety free social experience while still helping others relax after a long hard day. Many consumers report that Apple Tart is an ideal midday stain.  

Should You Try It? 

Apple Tart skates that fine line of hybrids that allows all consumers to enjoy it in whatever way they see fit. It has become a sought-after stain of the industry for that very reason. If you are already fond of apple strains, Apple Tart may be your new favorite. If you are not into apple strains, Apple Tart might change your mind. Either way, if you haven’t tried it, you should! When grown properly, few strains can match the aroma and bag appeal of Apple Tart. Though we don’t have it on our website, you can stop into our East Dubuque, IL location and grab a preroll today. We hope you enjoyed this article. If you’d like to see more like it and all the latest deals SIGN UP for our free email group to stay in the know. 

4 Things to Remember When Vaping This Summer 

4 Things to Remember When Vaping This Summer 

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high. That’s right summertime is back and that means sun times and fun times. Let’s say that the cotton won’t be the only thing that is high. Cannaconsumers are on the move during the summertime. There are hikes to be had, boats or tubes to be floated on, the warm crisp summer air to fill your nose, and strains to be smoked. With the rampant pace to enjoy summer while it lasts, many cannaconsumers rely on vaping to fill their needs due to their discreet and easy use in almost every situation. Yet, their convenience comes with some caveats. Here are four things to remember when vaping this summer. 

Vape Carts are 2/3 Mogwai 

Summer brings with it lovely sunshine and wild wet outdoor adventures. However, much like owning a Mogwai, it shares 2/3 of the same rules of ownership if you want the best experience. For those completely lost, Gizmo, from the movie Gremlins, Gremlins 2, and hopefully soon Gremlins 3, was a Mogwai and caused some antics. 

  1. First, keep it out of direct light and heat as much as possible! 
  2. Heat and light can cause the oil to thin out resulting in leaks and loss of flavor.   
  3. Second, don’t get them wet.  
  4. Electronic devices don’t like moisture, so keep it as dry as possible. 

Handle those two tips and you avoid your Mogwai going all Gremlin and becoming a problem. Can’t find anything that says you can’t feed it after midnight, but I bet it will have you eating after midnight. 

Don’t Overwork Your Device 

Summer brings the social out of all of us and cannabis consumption is social by nature. The increased heat and passing of vapes can lead to problems. Exposing your vape to rapid hits in short succession can drain the battery, cause the oil to thicken causing clogs, and worst-case scenario kill the battery all together. If you are going to share or are just a heavy consumer, be sure to give your vape extra time to cool down after every few hits. This may seem like a pain, but it will save you money in the long run. 

Keep It Clean 

First off, no matter how hard you try you will probably leave you vape in a place too hot for it at least once. Nobody is perfect. This can lead to clogs and seepage from your vape. You can help reduce this by keeping an eye on a few things.  

  1. First, keep the airway clear. If you start struggling to pull on you vape, you probably have the beginnings of a clog. You can keep airways clear by using a toothpick or paperclip to gently clear debris. 
  1.  If you are using a disposable vape, there is normally a hole near the charging port that you can blow through until vapor comes out the mouthpiece clearing the clog. 
  1. If you are using a traditional cart and pen set up, make sure to regularly clean the threading and contacts with alcohol.  

Don’t Vape and Drive 

We know you have places to go and people to see but do not vape and drive. This goes 365 days a year, but many people test their luck in warmer weather. The windows are down, and you don’t think anyone will smell it, you’re on a boat and don’t think anyone is out there to catch you, or you’re riding a bike on a trail and don’t think it will harm anything. You’d be wrong and put yourself and others in danger. In all three cases you can and will be ticketed for operating under the influence. According to Pennsylvania v. Mimms, you must obey officer’s commands while detained, including but not limited to being separated from your transportation, allowing a frisk for weapons, and a field sobriety test when required. Not adhering to an officer’s commands only leads to headaches or worse for both of you. Have fun, respect others, and be safe out there. 

4 Creative Ways to Use THC Chocolate 

4 Creative Ways to Use THC Chocolate 

Many people enjoy edibles, and more and more are venturing outside the realm of gummies and discovering the wonderful world of THC-infused chocolates. Chocolate is one of the most amazing substances on earth. We give it to those we love on special occasions; we eat it when we are sad, happy or just because, and it is ingrained in most holiday frivolity. It is simply delightful, unavoidable, and inescapable. But what happens when you tire of just eating squares off a bar? What happens when a chocolate becomes more than just a chocolate? Magic! That is what happens. All these ideas come with heating chocolate. Never heat THC above 392 degrees as it will cause it to degrade. Try to use the lowest temperature possible to accomplish your alchemy. Kick back in the cut, loosen on up, and let’s talk about some chocolate weed stuff. 

Smores 

Summertime is here and that means camping. Can you really say you went camping if you didn’t make smores? The timeless classic is a champion around campfires and seared into some of our fondest memories. You know the routine. Graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Sandwich them together and melt into delicious gooey goodness. This treat is ideal as it rarely exceeds temperature limits and requires no devices to make it. Ingredients, an open fire, a set of tongs or two sticks if you are adventurous, and you are on your way. Use our Smores bar and enter smoreception. 

Hot Coco 

We know it is summertime and this is more of a winter drink but come on who doesn’t like hot coco before bed?  A perfect nightcap regardless of season. Again, this is a simple routine. Heat milk or water to desired temperature and add desired dose of chocolate. Mix, stir, and shazam, you have the best hot coco you’ve ever tried! We even made our own recipe. 

Dipping 

This one might sound strange but don’t knock it until you try it! Chocolate melts at very low temperatures making it an easy to convert dipping sauce. Once in liquid form, the world is your oyster. Do you want to be healthy? Just cut up some fruits. You want something savory? Grab a bag of chips or some pretzels. You want to go completely insane? Try them on some wings or ribs. Our French Toast bar melted over pretzels is life changing.  

Baked Goods 

The go to in every cannaconsumer’s arsenal. Once upon a time, stoners had to extract THC into butter or oil and then use it for baking and most of the time they baked chocolate chip cookies or brownies. Now all the hassle of at home extraction is gone with THC-infused chocolate. Just dice up the bars however you see fit and add them to your favorite dough or batter and ta da! Your chocolate has transformed into something far greater. Just be sure to never heat THC above 392 degrees as it will cause it to degrade. 

Be a Mad Scientist or At Least a Stoned One 

Variery is the spice of life and experimentation leads to more variety. We’ve given you some brush strokes to create your own masterpiece. Be inventive, be adventurous, and challenge yourself and social norms. There are far worse days to be had than melting some chocolate on something different to find out it wasn’t that good. There are few better days than melting chocolate on something different and realizing you know something others don’t. We’re just saying THC-infused chocolate mesquite BBQ ribs sound like a thing that should already exist. To keep up to date with all the latest deals and articles at RiverBluff be sure to SIGN UP for our email group. 

Strain of the Month: Cereal Milk 

Strain of the Month: Cereal Milk 

From Breakfast to Baked 

Cereal Milk feels and tastes like someone plucked the warmest nostalgic memory from your mind and planted it for all to enjoy. An enchanting flower born of wonder and love; the plant traces its lineage back to the geniuses at Cookies. Cereal Milk can stand toe to toe with most stains and hit just as hard. It doesn’t matter if you eat edibles infused with it, vape it, dab it, or smoke it, Cereal Milk hits the spot, so let’s look a little deeper into where this strain came from and what it is all about.  

Cereal Milk doesn’t come from a notable lineage like LA Kush Cake. The biproduct of two relatively unknown strains, Snowman and Y-Life, Cereal Milk didn’t enter the market with a prebuilt reputation but quickly earned one. Ceral Milk’s reputation has made it a strain in demand. Ceral Milk can be found in most dispensaries and in many consumers homes. It has overcome an unheralded introduction to become a strain that many smokers have grown to love for both its medicinal and recreational effects. 

Basics 

Cereal Milk is a fairly balanced hybrid that generally tests between 20-25% THC and leans ever so slightly sativa. It is beloved by indica and sativa smokers alike. The strain will make you feel like Goldie Locks. It’s not too heavy, it’s not too light, it’s just right like the little bear’s porridge. Cereal Milk is a well-rounded strain that offers a little something for everyone who tries it and most come back for more. 

Aroma and Taste 

Cereal Milk’s taste and aroma are true to its name. The buds are gorgeous and smell like fruit, mostly berries. The creamy sensation comes on once you spark it up. The mixture of those two overwhelming flavors gives the strain its name. Hidden under those sweet delights are subtle tones of spice. This strain is nothing short of mouthwatering. Check out our terpenes blog for a more detailed overview of all terpenes.

Strain Effects 

Cereal Milk is known for having the mentally uplifting effects of a sativa while maintaining the pain reducing effects of an indica. It provides the consumer with a euphoric anxiety free social experience while still helping to manage any pain they are in. Many consumers report that Cereal Milk is great at fighting off migraines. Ceral Milk first began to earn its reputation in medicinal cannabis dispensaries all over the country. 

Should You Try It? 

Cereal Milk is a near perfectly balanced hybrid allowing all varieties of consumers to enjoy it in whatever way they see fit. It has become a workhorse of the industry for that very reason. Cereal Milk isn’t just for breakfast anymore. It is good for any occasion. Because of its modest lineage, it almost all exceeds even the most cynical smoker’s expectations.  Cereal Milk has its foothold in the industry and looks to continue its ascent toward the top. If you haven’t had the pleasure of indulging in a bit of Cereal Milk, you’ve unknowingly denied yourself the chance of trying one of the more innovative strains in recent memory. Fear not though; it can be rectified. We suggest you rush out to try it immediately and judge for yourself.    

Cannabis and The Military: An Outlaw Love Song  

Cannabis and The Military: An Outlaw Love Song  

Serving our country can be extremely stressful and certainly takes a toll on the body. Even though cannabinoids could be helpful to those who serve, it is a military no-no. Though the United States government strictly prohibits cannabis use by military personnel, the government has been researching cannabis for military applications for over one hundred years. After service, many veterans turn to cannabis for its therapeutic effects in favor of heavier pharmaceutical medications. Like star-crossed lovers, veterans and marijuana seem destined to find each other. Continue reading to learn a bit more about the government’s sorted history with cannabis, the effects the Vietnam War has had on cannabis culture, and why many veterans turn to cannabis after service. So, kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about some history stuff. 

Uncle Sam’s Curiosity with Weed 

The government’s curiosity with weed may have started in the mid 1910’s when Frank Meyer, known as the plant hunter, introduced indicas to the United States for the first time after an expedition to Asia on behalf of the USDA and began comparative research of indica and sativa strains. By WWII, Harry J Anslinger’s propaganda campaign had swayed government attention away from possible medical applications and toward a strict no tolerance policy of the plant.  

Against the grain, Roger Adams began isolating cannabinoids for possible military use as an in-battle sedative for wounded soldiers and a possible treatment for shell shock (early term for PTSD). Though they had no interest in the medical research Adams conducted, they needed him to win the war and allowed him to continue his research into cannabis. They would never use his cannabinoid research for official military applications. 

In 1974, D. Gold synthesized THC acetate ester, also known as THC-O, when the country was still at war with Vietnam. The First War was extensively covered on television, and it painted the horrors of war in technicolor and led to research into non-lethal incapacitants. So, Uncle Sam set out to weaponize THC-O. Tests on its effectiveness were run during the dying days of the shameful Edgewood Arsenal experiments, which ran from 1948-1975. In those experiments, Uncle Sam tested low-level chemical warfare on human subjects. This program was the predecessor of the much more recognized project MKUltra. 

Heroes Among Heroes 

The Vietnam War was instrumental in cannabis culture and future medicinal research. 1/3 of our troops were drafted and not ready for a gruesome war and even those who volunteered weren’t ready for what they saw. Troops needed something to help them cope after battle and would find a new type of cannabis to them but one common to locals, we call it indica. They found it so effective they would smuggle seeds back and introduce indica flowers to the USA on a large scale when they returned stateside, but they were coming home with a shell shock, now coined PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. Shell shock had a new name and PTSD was officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. The US Department of Veterans Affairs estimates at least 7% of veterans will battle PTSD at some point after service with the number significantly increasing among combat vets. 

What Happens When Johnny Comes Marching Home? 

Being veteran owned, RiverBluff employs several veterans and sees the obstacles they deal with. Military veterans are accustomed to living a regimented life. When relieved of service, their bodies can be beaten up and their minds weary. The VA’s first line of treatment usually involves opiates and heavy psychotropic medications which can be invasive on the regimented lives they’ve grown to know. DJ Loeffelholz, a co-owner of RiverBluff and former member of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, described his PTSD medical experience like this: 

When I finished up and got home, I looked for help treating my PTSD. They gave me pills and I didn’t like how they made me feel. I didn’t feel like me. After a bit, I asked my doctor if they were any other options and though he couldn’t prescribe it to me he recommended cannabis.” 

Corey Anderson, general manager of RiverBluff, served 22 years in United States Coast Guard. He retired as part of the Deployable Specialized Forces as a Senior Chief Petty Officer and had this to say about his experience and his of cannabis: 

“I didn’t really consume cannabis before I enlisted, maybe a couple of times, and certainly didn’t smoke while enlisted. After 22 years, my body and mind were worn out. My body ached and I struggled to sleep. I wasn’t happy with the course of treatment I as taking, so I looked elsewhere and found cannabis. I only smoke socially but consume edibles to sleep and use topicals for aches and pains.” 

DJ’s story, and ones like Corey’s, echoed that of many other veterans and played a factor in the founding of this company, so we could make THC products and other cannabinoids more accessible for everyone regardless of ailment. RiverBluff is proud of our armed services, and we salute their efforts. We hope you enjoyed this article, and, and if you have story to share, please post it in the comments. We’d love to hear it!  

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