The Summer solstice, the longest day of the year, has been celebrated for centuries. It’s a time of warmth, growth, and light – qualities that intriguingly mirror the cultivation of cannabis. This article explores the fascinating connection between the Summer solstice and cannabis, delving into the ways this natural event impacts the growth and potency of the plant. We’ll also touch on the cultural significance of this connection, tracing back to ancient traditions. Join us as we illuminate the intersection of celestial events and cannabis cultivation.

Understanding the Summer Solstice

The Summer solstice, often referred to as the longest day of the year, is a celestial event that marks a time of powerful healing, rejuvenation, and new beginnings. It’s a period when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the longest period of daylight. This extended light symbolizes a time of creativity, making it an ideal moment for initiating long-awaited projects and setting intentions for the future.

The solstice serves as a midpoint in the year, prompting reflection on past experiences and gratitude, while also encouraging a focus on personal growth and embracing opportunities for positive change. Engaging with nature during this time, whether through mindful observation or physical activities like swimming, can help individuals feel connected to the natural world and find inner peace.

In New Mexico, the Summer solstice is celebrated with a blend of modern and ancient rituals. From practicing yoga under the sun to immersing in nature through activities like harvesting or lighting fires, these traditions foster a deep connection with the earth. This celebration of the solstice is not just about honoring the sun, but also about recognizing our place in the natural world and the cyclical nature of life.

The Cannabis Culture in New Mexico

In New Mexico, the solstice’s celebration of growth and light has a unique resonance within the state’s cannabis culture. The state has fully embraced the legalization of cannabis for adults aged 21 and over, for both recreational and medicinal use. This acceptance is reflected in the possession limit of up to two ounces of cannabis, or its equivalent in other forms.

However, this acceptance is not without its boundaries. The state has clear prohibitions against public smoking, underage possession, and driving under the influence of cannabis. Additionally, a cannabis excise tax is levied on retail sales, starting at 12% and gradually increasing to 18% by 2030. This revenue is directed back into the communities where sales were made, further integrating cannabis into the state’s economic fabric.

As the sun sets on the solstice, the disposal of cannabis is also regulated, ensuring that the plant’s lifecycle is respected. This respect for the plant and its effects mirrors the reverence for the sun during the solstice, both embodying the cyclical nature of life and growth in New Mexico. The cannabis culture in New Mexico, much like the solstice, is a celebration of growth, light, and new beginnings.

Summer Solstice and Cannabis

The Summer solstice, with its extended daylight hours, significantly influences cannabis cultivation. Environmental factors such as latitude, temperature, and rainfall, which are at their peak during the solstice, play a crucial role in determining the ideal growing season for cannabis. The longest day of the year provides an abundance of sunlight, boosting the photosynthesis process and thereby enhancing the growth and potency of the plant.

Different strains of cannabis, from indicas to equatorial sativas, have varying growing seasons based on their genetics. The solstice’s extended daylight hours can accelerate the flowering of these strains, particularly indicas, which typically flower faster than sativas. The timing of the harvest, influenced by the solstice, can significantly impact the flavor, potency, and overall quality of the cannabis flowers.

Boutique farms and craft cannabis producers in New Mexico leverage the solstice to meticulously handle, hand-trim, and properly store their cannabis, maintaining optimal freshness and quality. While traditional outdoor cannabis cultivation follows seasonal patterns, modern techniques such as greenhouse growing and indoor hydroponic setups allow for multiple harvests per year. This ensures a consistent supply of fresh cannabis, irrespective of the season, but the solstice’s abundance of natural light still holds a special significance in the cultivation process.

In essence, the Summer solstice, the longest day of the year, not only impacts cannabis growth but also symbolizes the peak of the plant’s lifecycle, mirroring the cyclical nature of life celebrated during the solstice.

Celebrating Summer Solstice with Cannabis in New Mexico

As the Summer solstice dawns in New Mexico, cannabis enthusiasts can celebrate this celestial event in unique and exciting ways. The extended daylight hours provide ample opportunity to engage in outdoor activities while enjoying the benefits of cannabis.

One way to celebrate is by attending the second annual Southwest Cannabis Convention on June 8, 2024, at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Last year’s event was a hit with over 60 exhibitors and 700 attendees, and this year promises to be even better. The convention offers educational talks and a chance to network with cannabis industry professionals. The keynote speaker for this year’s event is Brian Vicente, a legend in cannabis advocacy.

For a more intimate celebration, consider a cannabis-infused picnic in one of New Mexico’s beautiful natural parks. Pack some edibles, a portable speaker for some chill music, and enjoy the longest day of the year under the sun.

As for strains, consider choosing ones that complement the energy of the solstice. Sativa strains like Sour Diesel and Strawberry Cough are known for their uplifting and energizing effects, perfect for daytime activities. Alternatively, hybrid strains like Pineapple Express or Blue Dream can offer a balanced high, suitable for both relaxation and socializing.

Remember, while celebrating, it’s essential to respect New Mexico’s cannabis laws, including prohibitions against public smoking and driving under the influence. Enjoy responsibly, and let the Summer solstice be a time of growth, light, and new beginnings with cannabis.

Conclusion

The Summer solstice, a time of abundant light and growth, beautifully parallels the cultivation and celebration of cannabis in New Mexico. This celestial event, marking the longest day of the year, not only influences the growth and potency of cannabis but also symbolizes the peak of the plant’s lifecycle. The solstice’s extended daylight hours enhance the photosynthesis process, thereby boosting the plant’s growth. The timing of the harvest, influenced by the solstice, can significantly impact the flavor, potency, and overall quality of the cannabis flowers.

The solstice also presents unique opportunities for cannabis enthusiasts to celebrate. Whether attending the Southwest Cannabis Convention, enjoying a cannabis-infused picnic, or selecting strains that complement the energy of the solstice, the possibilities are as vast as the New Mexico sky.

As we embrace the Summer solstice, let’s also embrace the growth, light, and new beginnings it brings to the cannabis culture in New Mexico. Remember to respect the state’s cannabis laws and celebrate responsibly. Here’s to the longest day of the year, and the many ways it illuminates our connection to cannabis.

References

https://affinashop.com/blogs/biophilia/summer-solstice-rituals-for-midsummer https://www.discoverruidoso.com/info/marijuana-legalization-in-new-mexico https://www.leafly.com/news/growing/when-is-your-cannabis-in-season-factors-that-influence-growing-ha https://nmcannabischamber.org/events