Expertise preamble.
A water sommelier is someone who is able to detect, recognise and differentiate among different types of natural mineral waters based on their minerality, carbonation, vintage, hardness, orientation, and other parameters.
An oenophile or wine connoisseur knows a great deal about wine and can often identify different types of wines by taste and smell. On the other hand, a sommelier is a trained professional who works in the hospitality industry and is responsible for selecting, ordering, and serving wine
A zythophile or beer sommelier, also known as a cicerone in the United States, is a specialist with the knowledge required for certification including an understanding of styles, brewing, ingredients, history of beer and brewing, glassware, beer service, draught systems, beer tasting, and food pairings
Whiskey has likewise led to many enthusiasts, or “anoraks aka specialists, connoisseur’s etc
A connoisseur is aware of the intricacies of the whisky they are drinking. They know the ABV, the malt, how aged the whisky is, and everything else.
Cigars, Typically this role is referred to as cigar sommelier (or Catador) having the ability to select, blend and bunch the Tobacco leaves of cigars. These advanced skills and expertise are key in crafting the anatomy of a particular cigar's size, strength and body.
There's a difference between sommeliers, enthusiasts and those that just want to get drunk, and or fucked up.
A lot of people my age probably have a habitual water (tap) they have a favourite flavour of corporate beer, cider or a favorite red wine, white wine, Rosé wine, Sparkling wine, or Fortified (or Dessert wine)
Some will know some whiskeys, rums or spirits.
Very few will enjoy a cigar.
How deep one goes with taste and flavour really comes down to level of fascination or fanaticism.
It does require a level of curiosity that borders on hyper focus.
Some simply don’t care.
So why do I mention this?
Because like all of the above there is also the Cannabis Connoisseur, an individual with a vast knowledge in anything related with Cannabis.
This individual can tell you everything there is to know about cannabis. From the name of the strain to the flavor and the type of highs. They can identify Indicas from Sativas, and anything in between.
My Background
I am not a Cannabis Connoisseur, perhaps I am an enthusiast.
I did go to Amsterdam a few decades back and try a number of strains of what was judged (Internationally) as the best strains in the world.
The Sativa’s, Indica’s, then the hybid’’s.
Back then, I had a fascination with how different they were, the effects and how bloody strong they were, compared to the giggly bush weed most mates were hocking at the time.
The levels of THC and CBD were being talked about fairly vaguely. The conversations about terpenes (taste smell) were hardly a thing and in terms of effects hardly any proper analysis had been done apart from articles in High Times, a fairly underground publication especially in NZ.
As you can imagine, things have moved on considerably since then.
Now I should mention, I’m by no means a full on stoner. I enjoy the occasional weed vape out socially, as I don’t enjoy smoking like I did my youth.
To be fair, unless you are well connected, (I am not) the available cannabis in New Zealand is fairly shit. At least when it comes to knowing what strain it is, how much THC it contains and what you can expect from smoking it. Again, I am no expert.
Observations of the Tourist
Thailand, last year opened up the cannabis legalisation option.
The following, is what I observed/experienced when visiting.
I understand there is still refinements being made to the laws.
There is a limit on what edibles can contain, and weed cant be sold sold to pregnant woman or children.
I didn’t see many locals smoking it, apart from musicians and growers.
Aside from that, you can not go anywhere without seeing a shop or dispensary. It’s similar to vape stores in NZ. (Irony noted: Vaping in not presently legal in Thailand, although some markets have stalls discretely selling them.)
In the markets there is generally at least one stall with a table offering a variety of cannabis strains available in jars.
You are invited to choose from a menu and smell the jar. The terpenes are strong and some do smell absolutely delicious. (What are terpenes?)
Also spotted a was a mobile weed van (Fisherman’s Village)
Some Dispensaries also offered a delivery service..
A stall in a commercial mall.
In terms of Edibles, there were THC infused Chocolate coated coffee beans. (In a range of strengths) Honey, Gummy’s, cookies, fudge, craft soda’s, tea’s and health drinks.
In fact you can find cannabis infused drinks in 7/11s. (The equivalent of a NZ dairy.) Although are more focused on the relaxation and health benefits of CBD.
The Dispensaries do vary in the type of setups they have.
They are generally more upmarket, when compared to surrounding shops, some have lounges to chill out, (similar to the Amsterdam cafes offering drinks) others have an almost clinical appearance.
Most have information about the strain, THC/CBD % content, the terpenes and most importantly the effect when consumed.
One could say, you will leave well informed about the choices you make.
The weed on offer is very well presented in jars.
Some will have a magnified lens and a light so you can see the crystals and calyx pistils and cola .. essentially see the anatomy of the bud.
There is a huge variation between the strains.
You are invited to remove the lid and smell the various terpenes present.
All very much like selecting fruit.
The prices vary between the different buds on offer, priced by the gram or if you wish you can purchase a pre rolled joint or spliff, if you prefer the weed spun with tobacco.
Some dispensaries offered “kief” in tiny jars, (gold or brown powder-like dusting that is often collected in grinders as it detaches from buds when ground) some offered seeds and other plants like Kratom. (Another psychoactive).
The dispensary product knowledge varied from absolute experts (Sommeliers) to others that simply weighed and sold.
The products generally come from weed farms locally grown, with some of the more exotic strains imported from overseas.
One such farm allowed us to get amongst it in NaThon (not really a tourist destination) - Koh Samui.
The Consumer
In terms of where it can be smoked, it’s good manners to check.
Smoking laws are different to New Zealand with most open air bars and restaurants, having an ash tray available at the table.
Most weed friendly bars will have a cannabis flag or some sort of reggae memorabilia on the walls.
There are signs indicating smoke free areas and we did check some places to see if it was fine in certain bars. Those that aren’t, generally have a sign.
It was not uncommon to be lying back in a beanbag, at a beach bar, drinking cocktails, to see couples either side puffing on a pre-rolled joint
That said, if there is a bong and a jar of buds on the counter, some reggae posters on display, it's pretty much… spark it up. One bar in Pai was even selling balloons for anyone wanting to smash some Nangs.(Nitrous Oxide).
Unfortunately both the above were closed when we visited, but it’s not like we were short of places to smoke.
Also there were these options for those a little more flush.
So what was it like.? Needless to say, we sampled 28 different strains, there are literally 100s.
We would need months to get through all the varieties on offer.
In short, It’s easier to find good weed than a decent coffee in Thailand, especially if you drink coffee with alt milks.
As it turned out one of my favourite coffee shops was also a dispensary that also sold fine wines.
Best Dispensary- The Dispensary Bangkok Excellent Product Knowledge, service, presentation, information and layout. Like going to a futuristic high end fashion store. Expensive but two of our favourite strains came from here. (Cards in photos above.)
Best Service provider was the Fishermans Organic Weed Farm an indoor operation but catered to all needs. Visited twice and purchased based on growers recommendations. (Photo above)
Best looking Bud, take another look at that Funky Charms (above). Clear head and lots of giggles.
Best tasting bud, In my enthusiastic opinion, Pineapple Express, Clear head, Energetic, Creative, without the dopiness associated with some of the other higher THC strains.
Now back in New Zealand and now waiting for the residual “non performance affecting” traces of cannabis to pass through my system before facing a draconian pre employment drug test.
That’s the summary, I hope it provides some insight.
That was a great weed, I mean read. Seriously, fascinating. Well written too.