Out Front Strain of the Month: That Kind

By Anna Biscay

My budtender at Botanico gets me. When she heard about the particularly gnarly experiences I’ve had recently getting way too stoned and hiding under blankets, she “aha”-ed me and reached for a jar of the mild-mannered goodness known as That Kind.

“It’s high in CBD,” she assured. Indeed, it’s 12.6 percent cannabidiol, which is the stuff in Mary Jane that not only has medicinal properties, but polices the THC so you don’t get too whacked out. If THC is the accelerator, CBD is a gentle brake-pump that puts you back in the speed limit.

I procured an eighth and headed to the crib, a familiar tinge of anxiety setting in. Let me explain: I’m not the biggest stoner ever. I’m actually pretty easy on the stuff, by most standards. But the thing is, I want to be more comfortable with cannabis. When I find that sweet spot between “suitably relaxed” and “a bit more enthusiastic than normal,” I relish the feeling. It sounds strange to say that I want to be a better pothead, but it’s better than what I’m really awesome at, which is drinking too damn much. When I find myself in that rare annual phase where pot is really doing it for me, drinking is the last thing on my mind. More of that, please.

(I probably need therapy and not substances, yeah yeah yeah. But let’s be clear: This isn’t an advice column coming or going. I’m a flawed human, but I get shit done. Come along.)

So I’m back at the house staring at the glass pipe that just about annihilated me last time I used it.

(You hardcore enthusiasts can see last issue’s review of Good Chemistry’s insane strain of Headband. Head over to their Colfax shop if you want a bullet- train ticket to the other side.) I opted to use the virgin piece someone donated; no mixing this kitten of a strain with that unhinged beast. I assume the position and draw a clean hit that’s skunkier than I’d anticipated, and park it in front of the computer hoping That Kind won’t exacerbate my often crippling anxiety.

Emails, Facebook, Reddit, the usual … time is flowing nicely and I realize I’m smiling. Actually, I’ve been smiling. Not only that, but my right shoulder — normally cramped from a desk job that requires me to cling to a mouse like it’ll run away if I don’t — isn’t bothering me. I head back to the kitchen for another hit, pleasantly surprised that I’m actually interested in ratcheting up this feeling. Like a pilot in the final thrust toward cruising altitude, I draw a reasonable amount and exhale through the nose. I appreciate the taste. CBD. Well, hello. I’m feelin’ ya.

I swim through the rest of my work and find myself spending a little more time on conscientious email replies until the “omg, eat something already” kicks in. Stereotypical as it is, yeah: munchies happened and yeah, I was thankful for them. Where alcohol demands your stomach’s full attention (until you’re shit-hammered and shoving your roommate’s leftovers into your face at 2am), pot gives you that “hey, human … you gotta eat now” nudge. I think, though, that it could’ve been the high CBD content, but I’m not sure. Something about the noms were a little different, but trust: It’s kinda great.

You know what else is kinda great? That Kind is kinda great. If you’re into pot but not INTO- into pot, this one comes recommended and it’s at Botanico on the sleepy side of Larimer where there’s plenty of RiNo parking and individual rooms where a really chill budtender will secure an “aha” moment for you, too.