By Joseph Jaramillo
Sandia Botanicals is committed to producing the highest quality organic medicines of demonstrated efficacy.
We will offer these medicines to qualified patients and their caregivers in a secure and non stigmatizing environment. This provides an opportunity to discuss individual needs and preferences with knowledgeable staff members.
We believe we should use our collective knowledge to assist patients in educating themselves on the effective use of medical cannabis, including effects of the various strains and different delivery methods.
We have and will continue to educate ourselves on the burgeoning industry’s best practices, and strive to model our business on these standards. As you leave the center of Albuquerque, NM (Big ‘I’) one would exit on Comanche and head east towards 2406 Comanche Rd., NE we encounter yet another dispensary dedicated to organics, quality & excellence, Sandia Botanicals.
As we enter the collective, we are greeted warmly as the team of budtenders approaches us with open arms. They are ready to brief us on the medications they have available.
I sat down with President of the Board, Dana and Vice-president, Ernesto to discuss everything from prohibition to the future of their enterprise in this promising industry.
We started this company with patients in mind. That’s what it’s all about and why we are here. The average ages of their patients that enter the clinic tend to be elderly and new to cannabis.
Sandia Botanicals strives to create a non-stigmatizing environment to help create a secure personal relationship with people that truly are ill. Many of the patients that come here have serious conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and the list goes on.
This collective is serious about the well-being and health of its patients. They made this very clear to me. They are not here solely for the money. To them, self-awareness, education and a positive energy is worth more, pound for pound, than gold will ever be.
We discussed their upcoming tincture preparations such as their Dragon Blood, Green Dragon, Red Lantern and Coconut Oil products.
They also carry chronic pain lotions, massage oils & salves for pain and inflammation which works wonders for rheumatoid arthritis among other things.
As we went into further conversation, it never dawned on me that through all the years I’ve studied about cannabis, I’ve never thought about how beneficial acupuncture could be when used with cannabis preparations.
As we conversed further, we touched upon the spiritual side of cannabis use. Most people are startled to find out that all major pharmacies in the United States offered cannabis tinctures as medicine until the 1930’s.
Cannabis has been utilized for thousands of years by most of the world’s greatest cultures, as a medicine. The energies of the plant must be used in a way that harnesses its basic properties to promote health and healing. When used correctly, it can have an enlightening effect. For instance, in Ayurvedic medicine cannabis has been used for over 3000 years.
The spiritual aspects of cannabis are considered so profound in South Asia that Buddhists, Naths and Shivaites have incorporated it into meditation practices as a means to stop the mind and enter into a state of profound stillness, also called Samadhi.
Hemp has a long history in China. At one point, cannabis was a symbol of power over evil. In Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopoeia, cannabis was called the ‘Liberator of Sin.’ Cannabis was also used in combination with ginseng in an attempt to set forward time to reveal future events.
As the spirituality and medicinal values come into play, there’s too much history for prohibitionists to sweep under the rug. Continuing on our tour of this unique and flourishing dispensary, we come across their Master Grower, Brently.
He is the youngest master grower I’ve ever encountered, clocking in at the ripe ol’ age of 27. That shouldn’t discourage you. His youth doesn’t compromise his vast wisdom of the seed to flower process. He knows exactly what he’s doing. As I walk with Brently through the vegetation room we speak about technical procedures.
He explains the revolutionary ‘closed growing’ environment which allows growers to create indoor microclimates ideal for plant growth while also enhancing grower security and eliminating outside air.
One particular air exchange problem happens when cannabis produces heady odors due to evaporation of volatile terpenoids. These odors when dispersed out of the grow room can cause unwanted attention.
Becoming a master grower comes with a lot of work, dedication and countless stressful days. You also have to ensure an ideal growing environment; 73-78 degrees, 40-55% humidity, increased CO2, constant air flow with fresh and scrubbed air. Entering the flower room is always the highlight of the tour.
In this case the room is breathtaking with a colorful aroma. Oscillating fans push to and from to increase the air circulation. The simulated ‘wind’ that the fans create pushes upon the plants to force thicker stalk development.
This will also create better nutrient circulation leading to healthier plants and increased yields. Looking around the room, I admired all the beautiful plants blooming in their respective pots.
The stand-outs are distinct as the lingering sweet aroma from the Blue Dream creeps into your nostrils and pulls you along for the ride to the deep purples brightly seen on the Flo strain.
Metabolizing of max levels is important for ideal temperatures and humidity. Brently uses all organic components in all his soil preparations.
At one point on the tour I asked him what was his favorite strain to grow? He looked at me and with no hesitation said, “It would have to be AK- 47.”
Now here is a glance at Sandia Botanicals recent menu
BLUEBERRY OG
- 100% ORGANIC
- INDICA DOMINANT
- THC-14.84%
- CBD-0.03%
CANNATONIC
- 100% ORGANIC
- THC-5.05%
- CBD-13.8%
FLO
- 100% ORGANIC
- 60/40 SATIVA
- THC-16.34%,
- CBD-0.4%
TESTED BY STEEP HILL LABS
AK-47
100% ORGANIC
65/35 INDICA
CBD-8.687%,
THC-11.10%
RASCAL’S OG
100% ORGANIC
INDICA DOMINANT
THC-15.8%
CBD-0.04%
KIEF
100% ORGANIC
NORTHERN SKUNK (I)
THC- 31.9%
BLUE DREAM (S)
THC-33.7%
SANDIA SPLIFFS
100% ORGANIC
FLO (S)
THC-16.34%
BLUEBERRY OG (I)
14.84%
Dragon Blood
Green Dragon & Red Lantern Tinctures
Now available
AMRIT Oil
- 100% ORGANIC
- CBD-39.9%,
- THC-31%
ETHANOL EXTRACT
100% ORGANIC
CANNABUTTER
50/50 HYBRID 900 MGS
THC CANNABIS CRUSH AVAILABLE IN GREEN LEMONADE OR SANDIA (WATERMELON) 200 MGS THC PER PACKAGE. ALL PRODUCTS TESTED BY STEEP HILL LABS GROWN & PROCESSED BY SANDIA BOTANICALS
Dana, Ernesto, Brently and the entire staff at Sandia Botanicals have worked to create a unique shopping experience for all its patients. If we all could take the time in this world to bring positive energy and help one another putting selfishness aside, we can all achieve a better tomorrow. That seems to be the motto around here. With that in mind, be well, live well and put hope and happiness in your heart. Peace from Sandia Botanicals and Kurple.
