Heidi Baker created the “Cannabis Strain Journal,” a logbook designed to track and collate data on different strains, including cultivar information, cannabinoid/terpene content and effects. Born and raised in Oregon, Heidi is a mother of three and grandmother of two who navigates daily chronic pain with the use of Cannabis. Passion, attention to documentation and years of in vivo research have earned her knowledge of Cannabis effects that eclipses most experts.
Can you tell us a little bit about how your journey with Cannabis started?
I grew up in the ’80s. Nancy Reagan told me if I smoked weed, I would want to do meth, right? So, I was terrified of Cannabis. I was in a car accident when I was 16, and in my 30s, I had a bad flare-up of lower back pain. They did all the tests and said I had scar tissue on my lower back, and I would have to be on pills for the rest of my life. I was on over six different types of pills. I was miserable and life was not getting any better. My cousin encouraged me to research Cannabis. I am a nerd, and I like to read everything I can, so I started reading and watching documentaries. Lo and behold, I had been lied to all of my life. I got some from a friend and quickly discovered the results of the Cannabis were so much better than the pills.
What gave you the idea to create the “Strain Journal”?
I’m a weed nerd, so before I tried it, I had a notebook full of info on different cannabinoids — what CBD does, what CBG does and what strains are heavier in which cannabinoids. When I got my medical card, I got access to all kinds of sativas, indicas, dabs and edibles. I started this strain journal for myself to keep track of what strains I liked, where I got it, what the percentages were, and most importantly, what my effects were. I kind of log and track everything in my life. The journal is available on Amazon for anybody who wants to check it out.
Do you have a favorite cultivar or form of consumption that you gravitate toward?
My favorite strain is old school: Jack the Ripper. After a few months of smoking it continuously, I lost over 80 pounds. I wanted to research why it had an effect, and I found that it’s high in THCV, which research shows can speed up metabolism and regulate blood sugar. I use sativas in the daytime and indicas at night. I dab when I have a pain flare-up, and I take edibles for all sorts of things — sleep, pain, anxiety. I even use topicals. Cannabis is great topically.
Do you have any recommendations for people looking to get into Cannabis for medicinal use?
I’m not a doctor, but based on my experience: try to start low and work your way up. I discovered that CBD affects my hormones in higher amounts. If you’re a woman like me who has hormonal issues such as endometriosis, you might want to pay attention to how that reacts to your body. CBD tends to increase estrogen levels, which can increase pain, so I watch my intake. Finally, I recommend a strain journal and taking notes to track what makes you feel good and what doesn’t. Budtenders are great and make helpful recommendations, but if you’re only relying on word of mouth, you might not get the information you need. Everybody is different, so do your own research.