Varieties

There are more varieties of marijuana available in the large cities of the United States (especially Los Angeles and San Francisco) than anywhere else in the world. Different kinds of marijuana differ widely in potency, effect, color, smell, taste—and price. Whereas the average smoker used to buy an ounce of grass without any consideration as to its origins or characteristics, more and more users have become sensitive to these distinctions.
    Although most American smokers have access to at most only two or three varieties of marijuana, there is a general consensus that different varieties have different effects. "I've had laughing grass, happy grass, talking grass, one-hit grass, and creeping grass—which creeps up and hits you all at once," reports a college administrator in Baltimore, and other smokers make similar claims. But not everybody agrees. Author Jack Margolis (A Child's Garden of Grass) is convinced that smokers are fooling themselves. Lenny concurs: "Dope is dope. Chemicals don't have personalities or emotional qualities; to believe that is to be guilty of anthropomorphism on a molecular scale."
    Still, the great majority of smokers remain convinced of the differences among varieties, although, as this man acknowledges, individual preferences are usually based on subjective criteria:

I know people who can't stand hash, but who would walk a mile for some northern California Mendocino Purple Sinsemilla. And some who would turn down a joint of Jamaican, but would be only too happy to toke Thai "happy grass" or Hawaiian Maui Wowie all night long. I have other friends who would give up a finger for a pound of Panama Red, just for its inimitable zesty, crackly taste.

    An Arizona woman, somewhat less experienced in distinguishing among varieties, divided marijuana into two general categories:

Most Mexican is upper dope, and sometimes it makes me feel elevated, as though my head is being stretched upward. These kinds speed you up and stimulate you, and they're especially good for getting some work done, or cleaning the house. They also make you more talkative.
    Other kinds, especially brown Colombian, are more down. They produce a mellow feeling, and you'd rather listen to music than clean the house. But just as upper dope can make you anxious by speeding things up, the downer stuff will sometimes make you depressed, like booze. Still, I prefer it.
    Grass from Thailand fits into neither category. It isn't up or down, but rather clarifies and sharpens my thinking.

    Those smokers who can afford the luxury like to vary kinds of marijuana with the circumstances. Some connoisseurs, believing that any marijuana will lose its impact upon the system if it is smoked more than two days in a row, make it a point to smoke different material each time they light a joint. For others, the rules are simpler: Mexican or domestic during the day, for energy; Colombian at night, for relaxation.
    Alan, who lives in San Francisco, is known by marijuana experts all over the country as a connoisseur's connoisseur. His preferences are as follows:

Regular commercial Mexican or American for everyday smoking. Colombian commercial for a downer effect. Jamaican for a heavy-lidded, almost opaque consciousness; certain kinds of Mexican or Hawaiian for talkativeness and gregariousness; powerful Hawaiian or California sinsemilla for a fast, deep stoned feeling, and Acapulco Gold for its exquisite taste, even though it's not as strong as some of the others.

    Another user observes:

Hawaiian is best for sex, and Red Colombian isn't bad either. Most Colombian is strong and gives you a better high than Mexican, although it often puts you to sleep. If you want to work, I suggest Jamaican; Jamaican is also best for parties. For mind-expanding effects, Mexican is best, especially Oaxacan; freshness is very important here.