When recreational marijuana use was legalized in Oregon back in 2014, pot proponents throughout the state and the U.S. rejoiced. Not only would Oregon join Colorado and neighboring Washington in the growing movement of ending the decades long prohibition of marijuana in the U.S., the legislation would also enable adults in the state to enjoy the recreational and medicinal benefits of cannabis.
To many kava enthusiasts, the journey of marijuana becoming legal resonated with their own experiences dealing with how kava is often viewed by those who haven’t enjoyed its benefits firsthand.
Over the years, erroneous reports have often misrepresented the use of both kava and marijuana to the public at-large.
Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, opponents of legalized marijuana use have claimed pot to be a “gateway drug” that’s equally addictive as heroin – claims the Centre for Science in Drug Policy have repeatedly pointed out as simply not true.
The safety of kava use was called into question in a 2002 Food and Drug Administration consumer advisory that stated kava-containing products were linked to adverse liver effects. However, a quick search of the National Library of Medicine’s clinical database on drug-induced liver injury – LiverTox – shows a number of studies that contradict reports of kava induced liver injury. The database actually reports that studies suggest kava contamination – rather than kava itself – is the cause of liver toxicity, and that other literature highlights incomplete or overlapping toxicity data.
This type of misinformation takes away from the truly wonderful benefits offered by recreational kava and marijuana use.
Studies published in both Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology have reported about the respective use of marijuana and kava in helping to treat anxiety disorders. Kava and marijuana have also been linked to helping reduce stress, relieve muscle pain, and improve sleep.
Clearly kava and marijuana use have a lot in common. But just as sativa and indica pot strains have different effects on the body, different kava varietals offer their own unique experiences. For those of you who regularly visit the dispensaries along Division here in Portland, we encourage you to stop by our Bula Kava Bar to experience a shell of premium kava or to check out our inventory online. You might be surprised to find that there’s a kava for every occasion.
We should also quickly mention that just as toking up and driving don’t mix, you should always be careful when enjoying kava in public. While some strains of kava will provide a mild, pleasing effect, others are potent enough that you should never get behind a wheel to drive. Take a train, ride the bus, try to find where the streetcar actually picks up and drops off, or simply enjoy a pleasant walk. But always put your safety and the safety of those around you first.
A Night Out with Friends
Just as getting lightly stoned before meeting up with friends for a night out can help you relax after a long day at work or school, Bula offers a few different varieties of kava that are perfect for starting the night off right.
A recent addition to our kava menu, Akau Kava powder comes from the Tongan word for tall. While the kava is named after the plant’s physical characteristics, we’re confident you’ll be walking tall after enjoying a shell of this wonderful all-purpose kava. Akau provides a potent sense of well-being, along with just a hint of muscle relaxation. Great for those trivia nights where you convince the table that’s perfectly normal to know all the words to the Full House theme song.
Borogu is one of the most popular kavas in the world. For proof, look no farther than to the island nation of Vanuatu – one of the world’s premiere kava growing regions. Not only is Borogu Vanuatu’s main exported noble kava variety, it’s also the everyday drinking kava of the Vanuatuan people.
Just as Hindu Kush is a great strain for those beginning pot smokers, Borogu makes a great starting point for anyone looking to get into kava. Borogu helps you feel relaxed while still staying alert, perfect for hearing your buddy’s band play while ignoring just how heavily influenced they are by The Cure.
Communing with Nature
Getting stoned while hiking, camping, or backpacking is as natural as, well, nature itself. Whether you’re looking to feel relaxed or become better attuned with world around you, we’ve got a couple of selections on our Bula kava menu that will help you get in touch with your inner sasquatch.
Nangol Noble Kava powder is a blend of a variety of noble kavas from around the different islands of Vanuatu. Nicely euphoric, with just the right amount of potency, Nangol is an uplifting kava blend that’s perfect for enhancing any outdoor activity or experience. So the next time you realize the trail you’re hiking was either mislabeled as “moderate” or the author of the guidebook you followed has a disturbing sense of humor, you’ll be glad you brewed up a batch of this kava in advance.
From the very “Garden Island” of Fiji itself comes the Taveuni Waka Kava powder, a hidden gem we found during our last trip to the South Pacific. Not only is Taveuni sustainably grown – perfect for a kava enjoyed while visiting with Mother Nature – it offers a potent and “heady” euphoria. If you need something to help you get through another night sitting at the campfire listening to your buddy “play” the banjo, this is it.
In for the Evening
Maybe it’s time to get caught up on a few episodes of Game of Thrones before Gene at work spoils everything that happened again on Monday (thanks again, Gene!) or you want to hide away from the rain and drizzle of the Portland winter, sometimes a night on the couch is just what the evening calls for.
While indica strains of pot carry the reputation as providing “heavy” highs that leave you wishing Apizza Scholls or Pok Pok delivered, we offer a few kavas that will leave you wondering just how far you can actually sink into the couch.
Another new addition to our Bula kava menu, Kula Kava powder comes from our partner farm in Tonga. The Kula plant features rare purple stems while growing that are absolutely beautiful, and kava powder itself is a sight to behold. With a potent effect, this kava provides a stronger than usual physical effect that will leave you feeling relaxed and quite content that you have nowhere to go.
Of course, the title of strongest kava you’ll enjoy this side of the equator goes to the fittingly named Nambawan Kava powder. Nambawan tastes, smells, and feels just like the freshest and most potent kavas served in the nakamals of Vanuatu. A little of this incredibly potent kava goes a long way towards becoming one with the infinite as you fall deeply into a state of total euphoria where all is at peace and the fundamental answers to the universe reveal themselves… or something like that. Either way, don’t say we didn’t warn you.