The Legend of Old School Mexican Brick Weed
Pull up a chair and light a spliff, vatos as we voyage down a misty, marijuana-laced memory lane. Let’s talk about a time when cannabis was still illegal; strains had names like “Acapulco Gold” and “Oaxacan,” and weed came compressed into compact, efficient bricks, not in fancy jars with artisanal labels. Yes, we’re talking about the legend…
What is Mexican Brick Weed?
Mexican brick weed, once the most consumed cannabis in the U.S., is not your grandma’s ganja.
This no-frills, practical herb form was the staple diet of the early to mid-1990s stoners.
It was not about showing off frosty, green buds on Instagram but more about scoring that budget-friendly brick that could last through a few parties.
The Production Process
The production process of Mexican brick weed was almost as simple as it gets.
Harvest the cannabis, dry it (sometimes), and shove it into a hydraulic press.
No manicuring, no carefully controlling the drying and curing process – just raw, unadulterated efficiency.
The objective was not quality but quantity and ease of transport.
When smuggling tons of weed over the border, you want it to take up as little space as possible.
The result was a block of compressed weed that was dense, durable, and decidedly low-grade.
Characteristics and Appearance
As charming as a dirtbag, Mexican brick weed could easily be mistaken for a block of garden compost.
Brown to black in color with a pungent aroma that ranged from earthy to “skunky,” these bricks were usually riddled with seeds, stems, and the occasional leaf.
If lucky, your brick wouldn’t smell like ammonia – a clear sign of hasty processing and improper storage.
To use it, you had to hack away at it with a knife or scissors, a ritual as old as the brick weed itself.
The Rise and Fall of Mexican Brick Weed
Remember San Diego in the 90s?
With the headbanging high of brick weed, the bad schwag, and the laughter-inducing giggly weed?
Those were the times.
But as with all good things, the reign of Mexican brick weed had to come to an end.
The homegrown movement and cannabis legalization kicked the brick off its throne and sent it tumbling into obscurity.
Rise of Home Cultivation
Enter the 80s and the rise of indoor cannabis cultivation.
Suddenly, everyone became an amateur botanist.
Stoners began growing their cannabis, using top-shelf genetics from seed banks and increasingly sophisticated growing techniques.
No longer were they at the mercy of Mexican drug cartels for their stash.
They could cultivate their cannabis, lovingly tending to each plant and ensuring a superior product.
Mexican brick weed could not compete with the flavor, potency, and overall quality of homegrown cannabis.
The Legalization Effect
The coup de grace for Mexican brick weed was undoubtedly the widespread legalization of cannabis.
As the green wave swept across states and countries, it brought with it legal, regulated markets for marijuana.
Dispensaries started popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, offering everything from potent, organically grown strains to cannabis-infused edibles.
The need for compressed cannabis bricks for smuggling purposes diminished.
Why risk getting caught with a brick when you can walk into a coffee shop and buy a bag of green buds?
The Legacy of Mexican Brick Weed
Mexican brick weed has a nostalgic charm despite its ignoble fall from grace.
It refers to when cannabis was still a countercultural symbol, a time of basement grow-ops and secret smoking sessions.
The harsh taste, the sedative stone, the Herculean effort to separate the seeds and stems – all are part of the legend of Mexican brick weed.
The Good, the Bad, and the Nostalgia
Remember the excitement of scoring a new brick or the disappointment when your weed smelled more like ammonia than anything smokable?
Those were the days when a little bit of bad weed was better than no weed, and every high was a surprise.
Some would even argue that the unpredictable potency of brick weed added to the thrill.
Nowadays, younger generations are more likely to associate brick weed with boof or Reggie weed.
But for the older heads, Mexican brick weed will always have a place in the annals of cannabis history.
Remember, whether you’re reminiscing about the old days of Mexican brick weed or enjoying the latest boutique strain, the important thing is to enjoy the ride.
After all, it’s not just about the destination but the journey.
Stay lifted, amigos!
FAQ
Is brick weed less potent?
Absolutely. Mexican brick weed typically contained around 5% THC, a far cry from the 15-30% found in modern strains.
What are old school strains of weed?
Old school strains include Acapulco Gold, Panama Red, Oaxacan, and others that were popular before the rise of the modern, genetically-engineered strains.
What was the Mexican weed of the 70s?
The 70s was the golden age of strains like Acapulco Gold and Mexican Sativa.
Can you smoke brick weed?
Yes, you can smoke brick weed. It may be less potent and flavorful and could be harsher, but it’s usable after removing seeds and stems.
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