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APRIL 2017 | THE 420 ISSUE

EDITOR’S LETTER T

his month DOPE Magazine will dive headfirst into new and unexplored territory. The 4/20 Issue is one of our most diverse content spreads yet. It is a first in many ways for us. Whether you’re here to read about the history of cannabis prohibition or the demise of the Girl Scout Cookie strain name, we’ve covered it all.

Our incredible video team headed to Southern California to meet up with LA-born-and-raised rap artist The Game, who opened up about his cannabis business plans, childhood memories and how getting to the top required living by his own rules. Four sex and cannabis experts weigh in on why the two are simply better together, and how responsible cannabis use can greatly improve time spent between the sheets. Weed, Pray, Love will take you on a visual and spiritual trip through India and Nepal, while our travel writer explores cannabis in Slovenia. April is a celebratory month for the cannabis industry, the ideal time to get together with likeminded cannabis enthusiasts to celebrate the plant. Join us as we renew the spirited fight against prohibition, and celebrate the achievements already made along the way!

RECENTLY CORRECTED ARTICLES Rainbow #1 Glass Feature: DOPE Magazine incorrectly credited artist Trenton0o with the creation of the Rainbow #1 glass piece.

T-Funk is the correct artist. We have featured the piece with correct reference to the artist in this issue. We regret the error.

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2017

EDITORIAL

THE 420 ISSUE

ACCOUNT MANAGERS ANGEL AHMAD CHRIS STRAWDER CODY NASH DAN KUHN EDDIE KING JOSH DAVIS @oshgosh.josh ROMEY WOOD RACHEL REYHER RON PARISI RYAN BURKE TERRANCE MCDANIEL @t.thedopeman

DOPE MAGAZINE is a free monthly publication dedicated to providing an informative and wellnessminded voice to the cannabis movement. While our foundation is the medical cannabis industry, it is our intent to provide ethical and research-based articles that address the many facets of the war on drugs, from politics to lifestyle and beyond. We believe that through education and honest discourse, accurate policy and understanding can emerge. DOPE MAGAZINE is focused on defending both our patients and our plant, and to being an unceasing force for revolutionary change.

THE 420 ISSUE

TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL 2017

28 COVER FEATURE THE GAME REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

14 20 26

CULTURE WEED, PRAY, LOVE BRANDING CANNABIS ELEMENTAL WELLNESS LIFESTYLE IS CANNABIS A POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT?

44 HISTORY THE PREJUDICES OF POT PROHIBITION 52 54 62 66 74

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NEWS #END420SHAME SOCIAL MEDIA TAG @DOPEMAGAZINE NEWS WEED WEEK PRODUCT GRIND FOR A CAUSE COMIC JOSH BOULET

LIFESTYLE EXPLORING SEX, LOVE AND CANNABIS

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TRAVEL SLOVENIA

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A

fter months of wandering India and Nepal, Chinmoy arrived at a small village in the Northeastern foothills of the Himalayas. He had come to hear talks on Buddhism by a spiritual master whom everyone called ‘Baba.’ Though Chinmoy didn’t know it yet, this is where he would receive his new name, learn to smoke ganja from the chillum, and be initiated into the Nath Lineage, a spiritual tradition whose oral history goes back thousands of years.

As he walked to the ashram, an afternoon rain cooled his head and washed away the road dust from his body. Wild orchids perfumed the air, and rumbling waterfalls spilled into pools hidden from view. In the distance, the jagged, white peaks of the Himalayas reminded him of just how far he’d come.

Chinmoy grew up in the suburbs of Evanston, Illinois, in what he considers an average 1980s, middle-class upbringing—shuttling between divorced parents, basketball games in the park, music lessons, summer camp. Perhaps not so typical though, was his relationship with a Tibetan refugee from India.

When Chinmoy was ten, his mother sponsored the refugee, a Tibetan woman who came to be resettled in Chicago. “She was like an adopted big sister to me, and exposed me to Tibetan Buddhism,” says Chinmoy. Inspired by his close friend, he studied and learned all he could about Buddhism, and began to use meditation as a way to explore his introspective tendencies.

He experimented with marijuana in high school, and by the time he was in college, he smoked regularly. He would walk to Lake Michigan, sit by the edge of the water, smoke

and stare out. “I would relax and project out onto the water, as if I could reach out with my vision and touch the waves, feel their lapping sensation and merge with them.”

When he was 20, Chinmoy traveled to Amsterdam. On the wall of a coffee shop, he saw a poster of an elderly man with gray dreadlocks, wearing a loincloth and sitting cross-legged on the front step of a mud hut. “He held a large basket full of the most beautiful, green ganja buds. Across the top, the poster said ‘INDIA.’” Right then, he decided to someday travel to that holy land.

At the ashram, Chinmoy was greeted by devotees in thin robes. One of them— an American—invited him in and said that Baba was taking a nap. The American showed Chinmoy to a room where he could drop his things and rest. Chinmoy sat and took everything in—the cool, still air, wafting incense and soft prayers coming in through the door—as thoughts of his past faded away.

That evening, some devotees brought Chinmoy upstairs to the shrine room on the guesthouse roof. He looked out at the sunset and the valley below. “ There were steep cliffs and lush jungles sinking into a deep river valley. All around was bamboo swaying in the breeze, eagles soaring high overhead and birds darting in and out of the jungle,” says Chinmoy.

Baba finally arrived. He wore a blue robe, had a dark beard and dreadlocks drawn up into a knot on the top of his head. In a thick Bengali accent, he asked how Chinmoy’s travels had been. He poured Chinmoy a small glass of brandy and they talked for a while. Then, Baba introduced Chinmoy to the chillum ceremony.

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Spiritual cannabis use in India goes back to prehistoric times. Lord Shiva himself is classically depicted as smoking a chillum (a special Indian ganja pipe) and drinking bhang (a traditional Indian drink made from cannabis). In the Nath tradition, cannabis is approached with great reverence and discipline. It’s a holy sacrament, used only in rituals to facilitate meditation and heighten awareness of the ceremony.

A devotee offered the chillum to Baba, and then called out the names of Lineage Gurus and of Lord Shiva, followed by “Adesh,” meaning ‘Order,’ and then they all chanted “Byom,” meaning ‘space’–invoking the quality of voidness. Baba blessed the pipe, took a few puffs and then handed it to Chinmoy.

Chinmoy took the hit. “It is said in our teachings,” says Chinmoy, “that psychic energy, the energy of our thoughts, is carried through smoke.” They began to meditate. Soon after, Baba gave Chinmoy his ‘empowerment,’ a ritual in which the spiritual energy of the Guru is transmitted directly to the devotee. Later, Baba gave Chinmoy his Sanskrit name. This was Chinmoy’s initiation into the Lineage, joining the ranks of Nath Yogis going back countless generations.

He stayed at the ashram for a few months, visiting holy sites and learning from Baba. And when it was time, Chinmoy returned to America, where he now lives with his wife on a small farm in the Midwest.

Once a wanderer, full of doubts and anxieties, he now has the tools and context needed to walk the path with confidence. For those who feel the soul-tug of spirituality, and believe cannabis can help take them there, Chinmoy offers some wisdom: “Channel these experiences through meditation, or another activity that allows you to get absorbed in a one-pointed focus, like music, painting or running. One of the best things about using cannabis for spiritual development is the way it can help us focus our observation, but it’s important to exercise moderation. Cannabis shouldn’t be used as a crutch, and we shouldn’t conflate our ego thinking that we’re doing anything special or holy by consuming it. There’s an old saying in the oral tradition of India: ‘Drink, but don’t get drunk. Smoke, but don’t get doped.’”

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BRANDING CANNABIS

ELEMENTAL WELLNESS

WRITER / 8TH DAY CREATE / ANGELA-JORDAN AGUILAR PHOTO / CHI KIN KO

“ OUR CHALLENGE WAS TO FIND A PERFECT HARMONY BETWEEN THESE APPLICATIONS WHILE EMPOWERING THE CHOICE FOR NATURAL WELLNESS.” 20

DOPE Magazine: What is the inspiration behind your brand?

Elemental Wellness: In 2010, we launched with the slogan “The next generation of cannabis collectives,” we believed Silicon Valley was ready for a dispensary of the future. Our open, bright, spa-like atmosphere (many places had armed guards & bullet proof glass, at the time) was the first of its kind in our region. Silicon Valley is a place where business is often conducted on tablets and smart phones. Speaking directly to this new era of marketing and our membership base, we have integrated technology maintaining a strong online presence, through the website and social media applications, as we’ve evolved.

Are there any special meanings to the colors or references in your branding and packaging?

Fire, earth, air, and water are the foundational elements of our universe.

From a wellness mind set, our behavior, emotions, and health are said to be influenced by these elements. ELEMENTAL WELLNESS Center derives its name from the idea that cannabis, a natural plant medicine, can help us stay in balance physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

How do you feel your brand and identity reflect the cannabis industry?

The goal is to appeal to a truly diverse community of cannabis consumers. These patrons use the plant for a variety of reasons, including health & pain management, mental stability, creativity, and even adult recreation. Our challenge was to find a perfect harmony between these applications while empowering the choice for natural wellness. Cannabis is an element of Mother Nature, a gift of health and balance. In 2011, we positioned ourselves with a wellness minded approach flag shipping our tagline, “Your health is elemental.” In the process, two of our products were born, Elemental Seeds and Lucy Brand. Elemental Seeds packaging displays soil, seed, and the cannabis plant. Lucy portrays strong female characters, the Lucy mascots. We stay true to our roots and remind patients of the herbalist, seed to product approach we take when dealing with the medicine, while also displaying through our consumable product line that cannabis is about taking charge of your health.

How are you making your brand distinguishable throughout the ever-growing cannabis industry?

Our approach is to focus on the medicinal side of the herb. Our website is full of great reference material on cannabis, and we published the industry’s first “Guide to Understanding Medical Cannabis.” As the sector evolves, proper education will become even more relevant for our consumers; we will continue to be at the forefront of that. New market advertisement channels have started to support our community, and we are excited to explore these avenues as ELEMENTAL WELLNESS continues to breathe new life into cannabis distribution and consumption.

“As we have watched this industry evolve rapidly, our future quickly became a reality.”

Each month, we feature a brand that is shaping the modern image of cannabis through smart design and quality production. We’re always on the lookout and welcome submissions!

Email bpalma@dopemagazine.com and let us know about your Canna Brand!

WEBSITE - ELEMENTALWELLNESSCENTER.COM FACEBOOK - FACEBOOK.COM/ELEMENTALWELL

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NEWS

GSC: A Cookie by Any Other Name Would Smell as Dank WRITER / CHLOE SOMMERS

I

n efforts to pave the way for legal cannabis nationwide, industry professionals are calling upon their cannabis colleagues to drop the infringing name of the ‘Girl Scout Cookie’ strain.

“As we become more of an industry, we have to adhere to all the rules and regulations other industries have to adhere to,” Jaime Lewis, Founder and CEO at Mountain Medicine tells DOPE Magazine.

There’s a lot at stake for state-legal cannabis markets as the industry matures into what’s projected to be a multi-billiondollar sector. A low-hanging fruit, the issue of trademark infringement, can be easily resolved by dropping the name from the cannabis vernacular.

Lewis adds that it’s just bad business to use trademarked names.

“Using brand names that are already trademarked shouldn’t happen.

Because we’re so often in the public eye, we have a responsibility to hold ourselves to a higher standard and set the tone for newly regulated industries to come.”

The naming of the ‘Girl Scout Cookies’ strain is a direct result of the underground ‘safe-space’ once created by the cannabis black market. Once hidden from the legal marketplace, the issue is now being brought to light.

“Anytime we see our trademark we have issued a cease and desist letter,” a spokesman for Girl Scouts of America tells DOPE Magazine, “we’ve done it before and will do it again.”

A nonprofit organization, the Girl Scouts of America pride themselves on teaching leadership skills to young girls. They sell Girl Scout Cookies to empower girls to do ‘extraordinary things,’ and they are sending cease and desist letters to some companies who are not respecting their trademark.

Thought leaders and business owners are now left to answer for the naming issues that stem from decades past.

Leah Heise is the CEO of Women Grow, an organization that works to empower female entrepreneurs in the cannabis space. She has

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two daughters who have been Girl Scouts, and she agrees that it’s high time her industry ceases to use the name.

“We need to start naming strains so that they aren’t attractive to children. It is part of the maturation process of the industry. The names also do not mean anything because there is no consistency from grow to grow, or state to state. We should have standardized strain profiles across the board based on strain genomics.”

“We should not be using trademarked names without a licensing agreement,” she continues, “That, too, is a sign of a maturing industry.”

BUT WOULD A COOKIE BY ANY OTHER NAME SMELL AS SWEET? Fans of the high potency strain love it for its indica qualities, and it’s reported therapeutic benefits of relaxing muscles, easing pain and tension.

According to a DOPE Magazine review of the cannabis strain by Khan Family Organics, ‘Girl Scout Cookies’ brings forth aromas of “spicy mint and sweet lavender followed by an unmistakable cookie scent, demonstrating this strain is a terpene powerhouse.”

The term ‘Girl Scout Cookies’ has been a registered trademark (Reg. # 0964309) since 1936, and according to the Girl Scouts of America web site, “The use of official insignia, all of which is trademarked, is highly restrictive.”

The Girl Scouts of America spokesperson says there hasn’t been any litigation against a cannabis company yet, adding that he finds most violators to be cooperative. However, they take trademark violation seriously. “I don’t think it happens frequently—a case-bycase basis. If you want to use the trademark, you have to come to us.”

The organization’s spokesperson also tells DOPE Magazine that its ‘disconcerting’ to see the name used for a drug that’s intended for adults.

CEASE AND DESIST: DISABLE COOKIES “Our goal is to keep cannabis away from children, unless for medicine under a doctor’s care,” says Debby Goldsberry, Executive Director of the Magnolia Oakland dispensary.

The California dispensary was one of the most recent businesses to receive a cease and desist letter form Girl Scouts of America.

G o l d s b e r r y a g r e e s , i t ’s a c u t a n d dry issue – and they were in the wrong.

“We knew this was coming,” she admits, “A lot of people think you can treat it like a parody, but it’s not funny; it’s violation of a trademark.”

The dispensary renamed what product they could, returned some they couldn’t.

Overall, everything with the name ‘Girl Scout Cookie’ was pulled from their shelves within an hour of the letter.

She believes there’s always been a lot of discomfort in using the name, however, instead of addressing the issue, most people just rename it ‘Platinum Cookies’ or ‘GSC’.

Magnolia Oakland isn’t the first, and probably not the last to get caught up in the trademark violation.

“Everyone else may be quiet about it but we are an advocacy organization and

we’re trying to spread the word,” Goldsberry explains, “We sent a memo to our suppliers saying that we won’t accept products with that name—and they should change the name regardless, because they are bound to get the letter next.”

TAKING THE INDUSTRY FROM DARK, TO LIGHT “ We d i d n’ t re a l l y k n ow i t wo u l d b e a problem or not, now we know for sure,” says Goldsberry. The dispensary owner and longtime cannabis expert vows to reach out to other businesses and thought leaders, advocating to end the practice of carrying strains that infringe on trademarked names like ‘Girl Scout Cookie’ and ‘Gorilla Glue.’

In her defense, she says many people in the legal cannabis industry are from grow rooms, not business school.

“We are more sophisticated lately, and this is something people should’ve known, there’s no excuse, the industry needs better naming practices.”

“People should start right, and avoid mistakes that they know can happen,” Goldsberry says.

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www.ocannabiz.com FeAtured keynote sPeAkers:

melissA etHeridge singer/songwriter, entrePreneur, etHeridge FArms

CHuCk underwood tHe generAtionAl imPerAtive inC

Hugo Alves

PArtner - CorP./ CommerCiAl, Bennett Jones llP

BruCe linton

Ceo, CAnoPy growtH CorPorAtion

mAyA elisABetH

Ceo wHooPi And mAyA owner & Founder oF om ediBles

dr. deidi meiri

PrinCiPAl investigAtor teCHnion isrAel institute oF teCHnology

trACy ryAn

Ceo, CAnnAkids

A RLTI FI CE LS ET YTLI ET L E

IS CANNABIS A POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT? WITHOUT PROPER TESTING AND TRAINING, IT COULD BE WRITER / DAVID HODES

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C

heck it out: Nearly a million dollars worth of Canadian cannabis was confiscated and destroyed when people using it to treat their medical conditions started getting sick, due to a fungicide that produced cyanide when the cannabis was burned.

A California cancer patient with a failing immune system died from a fungal lung infection first thought to be a hospital-acquired infection, and is now suspected to be from the patient’s use of medical marijuana.

A study by researchers at the University of California-Davis, including the doctor of the cancer patient who died, concluded that “the potential infectious risks of marijuana obtained from dispensaries has not been systematically evaluated,” and that it “unduly places patients unknowingly at risk for acquisition of severe infection.”

In December of last year, about a quarter of the 263 concentrates entrants for the 2016 Emerald Cup were disqualified for pesticides when the lab testing them reanalyzed the samples with more advanced testing equipment.

According to Kristin Nevedal, the director of the patient focused certification (PFC) program working with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the time has come for better and more comprehensive training (or retraining) of cultivators and dispensary owners about safety protocols for cannabis cultivation and post harvesting.

The protocols presented in the ASA certification program are derived from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA).

“We looked at the protocols for other similar herbal products and cannabized them for this industry,” explains Nevedal.

Using those protocols for product safety, which involves monitoring and record keeping, will take some retraining in the industry, as cannabis farmers are still hesitant to keep records of what they grow and how they grow it.

Before legalization, those records could have been used against them in a court of law. “They don’t come from a traditional farming background,” Nevedal says. “We have to teach these folks how to make a safe product, how to ensure that they aren’t cross-contaminating any other products, and

how to treat this like a medicine. We have to really change the mindset.”

Labs testing cannabis are discovering that bugs, pesticides, molds and other toxins introduced in the cultivation and processing of the plant are more commonplace than expected –which is particularly relevant, given that medical marijuana is often used by patients with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.

The cure? Better training for dispensary owners, budtenders, cultivators and anyone handling or prescribing the plant in regards to not just growing the plant, but running the business side of producing and distributing the plant.

The ASA PFC training regime teaches the National Cannabis Standards, which are core industry standards, state laws and regulations, and product safety protocols developed by the AHPA from 2010-2013 through the organization’s Cannabis Committee Cultivation Working Group.

PFC is the nation’s only certified program teaching the AHPA guidelines and the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia cannabis monograph.

The monograph ensures the identity, quality, purity and potency of cannabis, as well as provides product safety by identifying safe levels of pesticides, metals and microbial limits.

PFC was recently awarded a contract with the state of Maryland to train all compliance inspectors for the state’s medical cannabis programs, and hosts in-person dispensary staff trainings every week in their D.C. headquarters.

The ASA recently completed a training session in February in Philadelphia for Pennsylvania medical cannabis cultivators and dispensary owners. Sales for medical marijuana are expected to begin in Pennsylvania in mid-2018, and are currently limited to pills, oils or ointments.

According to Jahan Marcu, the chief scientific officer of the ASA who runs the training, some dispensary owners are surprised that a training course about handling and selling cannabis takes more than a few hours. “But it’s much like you were in a boat, and you looked at an iceberg and said ‘Nah, it’s not so big,’” he says. “I think because of the politics and certain uneducated beliefs and fears,

people have a prejudice that there is nothing there, that understanding cannabis should be simple. But the fact is that it’s a challenge for pharmacologists to study it, and it’s a challenge for quality control.”

He says that, because this industry is not as big as the pharmaceutical industry, it’s time to more effectively lobby and have the ability to self protect become part of the cannabis industry. “It’s time to get serious about training and education,” he said, noting that one study by ASA showed that 80 percent of current industry training does not include medical or scientific information. “The survey also found that half of the dispensary staff are making recommendations to medical marijuana patients that exacerbate their condition, and increase the risk of liability of an organization.”

The general public and regulators may think cannabis is simple due to the fact that they’re getting their information from federal agencies, which don’t have the most accurate information about cannabis. “Some of the information on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website is 30 or 40 years old,” Marcu said. “I don’t know about your health policy, but I prefer mine to be based on policy that is younger than me.”

The ASA filed and recently won a legal request with the Department of Justice against the DEA to remove certain myths about cannabis from the DEA website – that it is a gateway drug, that it causes irreversible cognitive decline in adults, and contributes to psychosis and lung cancer.

The ASA’s training is designed to get ahead of the FDA, when they eventually begin to accept the plant as a medicine. With certification training, businesses can show the FDA there is a structure for product safety protocols that essentially mirrors safety protocols for other types of botanicals that the FDA has already approved.

“To me it’s not really a time of celebration in the industry,” Marcu said. “It’s time to get serious about training and education, because the next round of federal intervention is going to be different. They used to just kick in the door and raid people. Now they will be looking to see if you are a public health threat. And the key to preventing that is training.”

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C O V E R F E AT U R E

THE GAME REACHES NEW HEIGHTS WITHOUT LOSING HIMSELF IN THE CLOUDS WRITER / NATE JACKSON

PHOTO / NOLAN FELDPAUSCH, DA YOUNG PARK & JIM LANGER

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T

he Game holds his breath after a drag from the glowing red tip of cigar-sized blunt. Pondering the question of how long he’s been involved in the weed business, his mouth cracks with a smirk, his lungs full of smoke. He exhales his answer, along with a cloud that fogs up the room. We’re sitting near a large window in a building that houses the High Times’ office as well as multiple cannabis businesses including Green Street, overlooking L.A. “All my life,” he says, without the hint of a cough. There are few things that bring him pleasure like good weed— except hip-hop and his kids. It’s as much a part of him as the signature red star L.A. tattoo on his right cheek. Some might even say the bud business has always been in his blood.

“It’s not like I woke up a year ago and decided to get into the weed industry,” says the 37-year-old rapper, born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, sporting a blue L.A. Dodgers cap, a black distressed Givenchy hoodie and grey sweats. “I think if you’ve been smoking weed or weed’s been in your life or the way I grew up where your parents are smoking weed, you’re already part of the weed industry.”

The only difference now, he says, is that the laws now make it okay to sell a natural substance that’s been used for the benefit of humanity since its origin. But as far as rappers go, only a few have managed to make that transition successfully. And The Game is definitely one of them. Last year the Compton rapper made waves by announcing his co-ownership of Santa Ana dispensary known as The Reserve, making him the first celebrity to own one of 10 operations that sprang up in the wake of the city’s lottery for new cannabis dispensaries last year. The Game reportedly invested $1 million into the Reserve. Since then he says he’s more than tripled his

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return on investment. He’s also become a spokesman for The Reserve brand and other cannabis-related industries, such as Green Street.

In a post Prop-64 world, Green Street is one of the many businesses that connects the worlds of cannabis and commerce. In a swanky top floor office suite in the L.A. neighborhood of Miracle Mile, one of the company’s mini cannabis brand expos is in full swing on a rainy Friday afternoon.

Stepping out of a pair of antiquated, manually operated elevator doors into the Penthouse-turned-office, a table of beautiful women sit by a fireplace in tight nightclub dresses, rolling joints of premium bud while a bustling crowd experiments with different pot products designed to get you good and stoned. Representatives of a cannabis-infused lemonade and edibles company offer free samples next to a professional masseuse doling out some tension-busting massages with THC-infused body lotions (which actually won’t give you a buzz, but feel damn good). Located at the top of a building that’s become a beacon for new businesses inside a vintage shell of Art Deco L.A., this pot party makes it easy to see the world through emerald-tinted glasses.

For the Compton-born rapper, this lifestyle, which he might easily find at a cannabis convention or in the stylized fiction of a rap video, is a far cry from less glamorous days of getting high on chronic in his old Compton neighborhood starting in the late ‘80s. He took his first puff at age 7.

Having older brothers around forced him to grow up fast, a little too fast the night his brother George, aka rapper Big Fase 100, put him up to it while their mother was out working at the post office on a graveyard shift.

“I think he stole it from one of the bigger homies in the hood,” the rapper remem-

bers. “But this was chronic in 1987 when everyone was smoking stress, this was like a rare jewel, almost like finding a rare diamond in the middle of Africa.” As any third grader would, the first hit caused the rapper to nearly cough his lungs out of his chest. “I felt like I was gonna die,” he says laughing. “They was laughing at me like ‘get your bitch ass up, look at you’ and I’m like coughing going, ‘help me!’”

Though he’s got plenty of weed stories to look back and laugh about, dealing with the impact of the government’s crackdown on pot in his old hood, and an overcrowded state prison system reminds him just how lucky we are to be living in this era of legalization.

“Look how many people have been locked up for weed and how many people wouldn’t have been locked up for a small amount, maybe an ounce or two if it was now and they got pulled over,” he says. “And it’s just like when alcohol was illegal, the Patrons and Hennessey’s of the world were criminals, smugglers...as soon as it became legal, all those old brands are now the billionaires of the world. So anybody with any sense knows that now is the time to get involved.”

Since investing in The Reserve, the rapper’s dispensary continues to churn out new cannabis innovations at a Wonka-like pace, including the Reserve’s potent strain of bubble gum kush he puffed on during the interview, which is sold in canisters that look like cat food, until you open them up.

“It smells like bubblegum, and it doesn’t lose its scent, and the taste is crazy,” he says. “As soon as you pull it back you get a whiff of that bubble gum and you gone.

That’s definitely one of my top five favorite strains.” It also comes in a potent strawberry banana version.

“...JUST AS GANGSTA RAP HAS GAINED MAINSTREAM ACCEPTANCE TO THE POINT WHERE IT’S BECOME UBIQUITOUS, [THE GAME] HOPES SOCIETY’S PERCEPTION OF WEED WILL FOLLOW SUIT.”

Aside from bud itself, Game’s partnered with G Farma Brands, which includes his G Drinks—his personal favorite line of cannabis products, including G Lemonade, a 100mg potable infused with liquid cannabis oil. “ They’re really potent,” the rapper warns, “definitely a sipper.”

With a preponderance of pot products that resemble stuff kids might like—lemonade, bubble gum and candy—the Game’s role as a entrepreneur will soon collide with his role as a parent. When asked whether he thinks he would allow his three kids—ages 6, 9 and 13—to smoke when they’re older he says, his kid’s first time getting high will probably be their last.

“Let’s just say if my son is 15 and he wants to take his first hit of the weed, I’m gonna make sure it’s the most crazy strain ever in life,” the rapper says. “He gonna feel like he ate a pack of edible gummies. I’d want them to have a terrible first experience and then have them be like nah, I’m cool, I smoked once with my dad, I’m good.”

Though it sounds like a joke, for the Game there’s definitely an underlying hope that just as gangsta rap has gained mainstream acceptance to the point where it’s become ubiquitous, he hopes society’s perception of weed will follow suit. Of course, the amount of time that takes is irrelevant for a rapper who got to the top living by his own rules.

“Forty years from now, everyone will have at least taken a hit of weed at some point in their lifetime,” the Game says. “Social acceptance comes with time and if you’re like me, you don’t really give a fuck how long it takes for other people to accept it because you don’t care and you’re gonna do you regardless.”

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The culture of mainstream hip hop has always had an element of flashy extravagance, whether it be the hood-inspired dookie rope chain Run DMC rocked or the excessive “bling bling” of the early 2000’s, which resulted in Gold and Platinum from head to toe. Shine Papers have taken luxury to the next level with a product anyone can enjoy.

Shine Papers are the world’s first 24k gold rolling papers, cones and cigar wraps. They’ve partnered with one of west coast hip hop’s kings, The Game, on a new line of cannabis products called ‘Pure Leaf,’ a luxury broadleaf wrap.

WRITER / SHONTELLE REYNA

LIFESTYLE

EXPLORING SEX, LOVE AND CANNABIS FOUR EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEX AND CANNABIS WRITERS / JORDAN TISHLER MD, ASHLEY MANTA (THE CANNASEXUAL), BUCK ANGEL, NICK KARRAS D.H.S.

W

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hat does cannabis have to do with sex and love? DOPE Magazine sat down with a passionate group of experts in an attempt to unearth the relationship between the three. Whether you’re new to a relationship, looking to strengthen one (or many) or simply wanting to reignite a flickering flame, cannabis may help create a healthy, active and flourishing sex life. Cannabis acts as a catalyst in energizing sensuality, creating mutually satisfying, playful sex and increases awareness about your own needs and that of your partner(s). Cannabis has the ability to reduce stress and anxiety, two influencers of lackluster sex. Small amounts of cannabis introduced pre-foreplay can create an opportunity to connect with your partner on a deeper, more intimate level.

Cannabis can amplify both mental and physical connectedness, and put us in touch with our needs. What follows is a series of short essays on how you can put cannabis to the test in your sex life. Whether you’re looking to experiment with new sexual desires or searching for a way to block out the stresses of everyday life that often lead to less-than-spectacular sex, this four-part feature will act as your guide to partaking in the sex you desire and deserve.

CULTIVATING INTIMACY AMONG BABY BOOMERS

HOW CANNABIS CAN SPARK NEW LIFE INTO LONG-LASTING PARTNERSHIPS WRITER / NICK KARRAS, D.H.S. | AUTHOR OF THE PASSI0NATE HIGH

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s a counselling sexologist and cannabis coach, I see couples from all walks of life working through a myriad of issues relating to sex and love. Most often I hear they have lost desire or connection with their partner, and are unsure about how to restore passion and intimacy. This commonly occurs because of the stress and distractions of daily life—they have trouble letting go of it all, living in the present.

I especially enjoy working with the older generation. Some are first-time cannabis users, but many have fond memories of using cannabis when they were younger, back in the ‘60s. With the onset of retirement and more free time on their hands, they often take stock of their lives and realize their senses have been dulled—there's no juice, no passion.

The story they now have is a pared-down list of half-forgotten events that can be slightly embarrassing in the retelling. They come to me with basically two questions: what happened back then, and how can I recover some of those passionate feelings?

Research presented at the Gerontological Society of America found that older married couples who still engage in sexual activity are more likely to report happiness in their relationships and with their lives overall, so it's no wonder that the 55+ age group are the largest demographic of new cannabis users. When couples don’t seek out and invite sensuality into their daily life experience, why would they be sensual while having sex? Rather than suggest new positions or techniques to have more sex, I encourage my clients to first experience some less challenging forms of sensuality. Take time to rediscover the simple pleasures: listening

to music, preparing a good meal, a leisurely hike. Awakened sensual awareness most often leads to mutually satisfying sex. Sex organically springs from that place. And all of those passions are enhanced when using cannabis.

Science is now confirming all the incredible medicinal aspects of cannabis, but the powerful psychological benefits of the plant are often overlooked. When used in small amounts (microdosing), it facilitates a faster connection and creates an opening on a deeper level—it creates a Zen-like quality, grounding the couple in the here and now. One also notices the quieting of our inner censor, that voice that discredits and blocks rich intellectual, spiritual and sexual experiences.

Another familiar hallmark of cannabis is laughter.

Not only is laughter therapeutic for the body and mind, but it can also be a form of foreplay.

It floods our bodies with dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, and that rush makes us want to cuddle and be playful.

Sebastian Marincolo describes the “cognitive bouquet of effects” cannabis offers in his book High: Insights on Marijuana. He describes a hyper-focused attention, enhanced episodic memory retrieval, and enhanced pattern recognition, just to name a few. The hyper-focus keeps us in the moment and connected to our partner. It also gives accent to our surroundings — the ambience, lighting, the smell and sounds.

I suggest that couples play the music they enjoyed when they first met, bring out old photographs to stir memories and reignite their initial passion. Enhanced episodic memory retrieval is great at bringing couples back to the exciting start of the relationship. During lovemaking on cannabis, pattern recognition can help identify a sexual rut and a sense of

your partner's mood. So turn off the television, shut down the Internet, hide the cell phone and plan to spend the night experimenting with your partner.

Trust me, you can relive the glory days.

Start by finding a good dispensary with a knowledgable budtender—someone who can provide knowledge about individual strains and suggest products. Every one of us has a unique physical and psychological makeup, so you may have to try different strains of cannabis to find which one works best for you. Be patient and enjoy—it’s a fun journey. I find one that one of the most pleasurable aspects of cannabis is the social element. Remember the fun parties and community we had back in the days?

When it comes to cannabis, I can't overstate the fact that less is more. You want to get high, not stoned. So start out with very little and wait to see how you feel. There are so many different methods of enjoying cannabis today, from smoking or vaporizing to a plethora of edibles. I recommend staying away from the edibles until you know what you're doing, as it is very easy to take too much. Cannabis is legal now, so talk to your friends and share knowledge. You can also check out my book, The Passionate High, which is filled with how-to information and ideas on how to create a more passionate life. www.passionatehigh.com

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4 WAYS TO USE CANNABIS FOR A BETTER SEX LIFE WRITER / JORDAN TISHLER MD

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ost people think sex is awesome. I think most people would agree that the idea of sex is awesome, and that awesome sex is awesome…sometimes, however, the reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Sometimes you need a night where the sex is extra mind-blowing. How can we enhance our sex lives? Cannabis offers us some great options! Whether the day is stressful and you’re wound tighter than a drum, or you’re just looking to put the spark back into a wonderful, long-term relationship, cannabis can help.

One of most common misconceptions about sex is that the only erogenous zones lay below the belt. In reality, the main event is between your ears. Even down-and-dirty, one-night-stand sex begins with the idea that it’s exciting and sexy—all of which are notions that reside, you guessed it, in your mind. Cannabis is known for influencing our minds and perspectives, and is similarly helpful in kick-starting some of the more physical aspects of sex, such as getting an erection or relaxing the vaginal walls.

So, how can you introduce cannabis into your sex life?

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1. SET THE MOOD Cannabis is a wonderful enhancer for sex. It cannot, however, do all the work. You’re gonna have to keep doing all those wonderful little things that turn you and your partner on.

Whether that’s cooking a wonderful meal, drawing a bath, or pulling out that box from under the bed with the handcuffs and cat-onine-tails, this is the time to bring cannabis into the play.

There are so many ways to use cannabis now, it’s a bit daunting. You could smoke, vaporize, eat, rub, spray, or even take Cannabis under your tongue! But, cannabis does behave a bit differently depending on how it’s used, so let me give you a few pointers.

First, I don’t recommend smoking. Hey, I’m a physician, I don’t want you to have great sex and then die of lung cancer. It’s true that most data suggest that cannabis smoke won’t cause lung cancer but that data is not yet conclusive, so why go there? Vaporization avoids the whole smoke thing, while providing ease of use and rapid onset. Edibles and tinctures have wonderful properties for general cannabis use, but they can take so long to kick in that I don’t see them as super useful in the sex department. Do you want eat a gummy bear with your partner and then wait an hour to get it on? They’re also unreliable, so sometimes that might be 2-3 hours. That’s a mood killer in my book.

Products like cannabis lubes and sprays are getting a lot of attention. They can definitely heighten the sensitivity of certain bits and bobs, so they’re worth checking out. Remember, though, that they don’t affect anything but where you put them, so they’re really not getting to the mind-aspect of sexuality – where we said the major action is. Also, remember that they, too, take 20-40 minutes to kick-in, so you’ll have to plan accordingly.

Bottom line: I think that vaporized cannabis is the fastest, sexiest, most reliable way to

use cannabis to get yourself and your partner into the mood.

Try This: Set your vape to 356’F (the magic number) and share it with your partner.

2. SET THE STAGE Unless discomfort is part of the play, an intimate setting and a comfortable, safe environment are key for good sex. Sometimes this means the bedroom, other times it might mean the kitchen table or the stairs, but no matter what, be sure it feels right. Cannabis helps us be “in the moment,” relax and enjoy the action. Poor attention to the setting will undermine the benefits of cannabis. You can “shotgun” with your vaporizer. Take a puff and hold it, then give your partner a very sexy kiss. Gently exhale into their mouth while they inhale the smoke you give them.

3. FOCUS This is a major area where cannabis can help. Cannabis helps us shut out the world, leave the day behind, move past the anxiety of performance or past injuries. Having set the mood and stage, now is the time to concentrate on your partner. Use the heightened sensitivity to touch that cannabis brings to extend foreplay, and touch areas that are not usually erogenous zones.

Most men will find that cannabis allows them to get harder and last longer. Orgasm is usually much more intense. But for men,

dosage is key. A little goes a long way, and too much is, well, too much. I often say, “It’s hard to do the deed if your head is orbiting Jupiter.” Women generally find that dose is not as important. While you can certainly consume too much cannabis and feel uncomfortable, it usually doesn’t impede sexual activity.

4. BE MINDFUL Perhaps this should go without saying, but we should be aware of our partners’ needs and desires. This includes likes and dislikes among sexual activities, as well as having positive consent. It also means that after all is said and done, sex isn’t “over.” Subtle touch and cuddling are major contributors to the beneficial aspects of sexual communion. Cannabis will amplify these connections, both in your mind and body, so take the time to engage after orgasm.

Now you know how to get started. Set the mood, set the stage, focus and be mindful. If you have more questions, I do couples and individual sexuality counseling with cannabis. For more information, visit our website: www.inhaleMD.com.

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MY CANNABIS THREESOME

DO'S, DON'TS, AND MUST-HAVES FOR A SEXY, SAFE, MIND-BLOWING EXPERIENCE WRITER / ASHLEY MANTA

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y Valentine’s Day present this year was a two-guys-focused-on-pleasing-me threesome, with cannabis added into the mix. It all started in mid-January, when my lover Bruno and I were having one of our afternoon delight dates. He rolled over and asked, apropos of nothing, if I’d be interested in having a threesome with him and Carter, a dear friend and fellow sex geek. In my thirty years on this planet, no guy I’ve dated has ever suggested having a threesome with another guy. I was floored, but found my words quickly. “Hell yes!” I exclaimed. Since all three of us are cannabis users and I have more weed than I know what to do with, I offered to supply the cannabis products for the evening. We also agreed to explore me receiving butt play, which is something I’ve historically found intimidating and unappealing.

Having a successful threesome takes planning. After the initial invitation and scheduling were completed, we had two conversations in advance and then a longer conversation the night of the threesome. Although Bruno and Carter had never met in person, I’d played with Carter before, so he had a pretty good grasp of what I might enjoy. If that’s not your situation, I’d encourage you to create a Yes/No/Maybe list in which you list various sex acts and what category (yes, no, or maybe) they fall into for you. Share the list with the other partners, and voilà! You’re on your way to having an informed discussion about wants and needs.

We decided to go out to dinner together before heading back to my house, so we had plenty of time to share our safe sex information (last time we were tested, barrier needs, safewords if necessary, etc.) as well as build anticipation for the main event. I would always suggest having a pre-threesome meeting (with clothes on) to go over logistics, especially cannabis-related logistics. Negotiate before you medicate, so once you’re in the threesome location you can jump right in.

After we got back to my house, the real fun began. We blocked out 8pm to midnight on our calendars, so we had plenty of time. I changed into a sexy outfit, we dimmed the lights and lit candles, put on some mood music, and I packed us a bowl. I chose a sativa-dominant hybrid, OG Kush, for its euphoric effects, body buzz and heightened perception of sensory input. I wanted to feel everything and be present for it. Carter and Bruno each took a couple hits and I ate an edible—Snuggle Bites from Swerve Confections, another hybrid with Ayurvedic herbs to help enhance feelings of love and connection. My body was receptive to pleasurable sensations and I felt fully immersed in every moment.

Next thing I knew, it was time for anal exploration! I had no expectations for this part of the evening, which I believe is the best way to approach butt play. I inserted a FORIA Explore suppository (60mg THC and 10mg CBD) about ten minutes before we started warming up, to give plenty of time for it to work. Carter put on a pair of gloves and got the lube ready while I got on my hands and knees, bending over a Liberator wedge (a firm cushion that assists with various sexual positions) with Bruno in front of me.

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Bruno stroked my head and told me he loved me, and that he was excited to support me in this exploration. Carter is well versed in butt play, so he knew how to warm up my body in a way that felt safe and comfortable. He massaged my lower back, butt cheeks, and finally around my anal opening for a good twenty minutes before ever attempting to insert. Most importantly, he checked with me before he did. “Are you ready for my finger?” was an awesome way to both get consent (again) and remind me that I was calling the shots in this experience, which made me feel safe. He went slowly and tried different techniques, getting my feedback for each. The FORIA suppository made a huge difference. I felt much less discomfort than I’ve experienced in the past, but without a numbing sensation. Once we found a technique I enjoyed, he continued with the same method and stimulated my g-spot anally. Bruno reached over and handed me my favorite vibrator, the We-Vibe Touch, so that I could have clitoral stimulation.

Thanks to their support and patience, I ended up having an orgasm while receiving anal penetration from fingers—for the first time in my life.

Afterward we were all blissful and exhausted. The two of them held me, told me how much they both care about me, and expressed interest in repeating the experience sometime in the future. The last thing they said before we officially ended the evening?

“Happy Valentine’s Day.”

SUCCESSFUL THREESOME NEGOTIATION

••Start with the question, “What is one thing that could happen/that we could all co- create to make this experience amazing?”

••Share “dream scenarios” and see where your interests overlap, and where they diverge ••Share your boundaries, safer sex needs, and potential turn-offs

BUTT BASICS • •Butt play is similar to edibles: start low, go slow!

• •When it’s time for insertion, start with a finger and work your way up to larger objects • •If it hurts—stop! Listen to your body

SAFER SEX TIPS FOR GROUP SEX ••Use gloves for penetrating orifices ••Change gloves between holes and partners ••Make sure you only touch a toy or lube bottle with clean hands or fresh gloves ••Once a hand/toy/glove touches the butt, it doesn’t touch any other body parts ••Put lube in small, disposable condiment containers for portion and contamination control

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THE FUTURE IS CANNABIS AND SEX

TRANSGENDER CANNABIS ACTIVIST BUCK ANGEL SPEAKS OUT WRITER / BUCK ANGEL

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consider myself a human rights activist— with a twist. The twist is that I talk about sex as it relates to my body. Upon first read that might seem like a bizarre statement, so let me take a moment to explain.

I am a transgender man—born female and transitioned to male over 20 years ago.

Over the years I’ve found the thing that often sets me apart from others in the transgender community is that I am very outspoken about my genitals. I like to talk about my vagina—A LOT! I know what you’re thinking. Vagina? Yes, I still have a vagina.

I proudly display it, and talk about it in my activism. My openness about my body has allowed me to live a very successful life.

Advocacy for the transgender community has and will remain one of my greatest passions. It has been my life for many years. More recently, I have found a second passion—cannabis. I have been sober from drugs and alcohol for over 24 years—cannabis made my sobriety tolerable, and most importantly, possible. It was a game changer for me in regards to my anxiety and insomnia. I have a very busy life filled with traveling, speaking and advocacy engagements. I also film sex educational films, also known to certain circles as pornography. Throughout the years, my demanding schedule kept my mind running late into the night and I often had trouble shutting it off.

Over time I became addicted to sleeping pills, and often found myself waking up in the morning feeling like crap. Then came

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my introduction to cannabis.

To be honest, I was originally afraid to consume cannabis, as I had been told it was a gateway drug and I feared it would lead me to begin using drugs and alcohol again. I had been free from the chains of drugs and alcohol for so long, and I didn’t want to ruin all of the years of hard work and dedication that led to my sobriety. But I decided to give it a try because I hated the prescription drugs I was consuming just to fall sleep at night. I’ve been using cannabis for almost five years now, and not once have I ever felt the need to use drugs or alcohol—my initial fears had been proven wrong. I am a man who believes in health and fitness; I eat great, I exercise regularly and I keep my brain free and clear. Cannabis has helped me stay focused and has aided in relieving my anxiety. Cannabis changed the quality of my life. I became a big believer in the plant.

One of the most amazing benefits of cannabis I’ve discovered are its effects on sex. I love sex, and sex has been one of the main ways I’ve been able to connect with my body. I was already pretty engaged sexually, but when I discovered how cannabis brought my sexual experience to a whole new evel of fun, I was hooked. When I united cannabis and sex, I discovered a freedom from the anxiety that sometimes occurs when you are “in the zone.” I found I was able to focus on the sensations in my body without the after effects that some other

drugs can illicit. It’s an amazing experience that I believe can have profound, positive effects on our sex lives.

With our new freedoms as legal consumers, sex and cannabis has become something to celebrate. I don't think we talk about it enough, or even have enough cannabis products marketed towards the relationship between the two. The sex industry is a billion dollar industry for a reason—it is natural for people to crave and partake in sex. The same can be said about the cannabis industry, and the potential of this union is mind blowing. These industries should be working hand-in-hand and learning from one another. As a man in both the sex and cannabis space, I have experienced anti-sex behavior from those who want to keep the two industries apart. I think the new generation of cannabis consumers have the ability to change that.

My hopes are that this industry doesn't get taken over by the conservative right, who are so anti-sex that they won’t celebrate the sexual aspect of this new frontier. I am an activist, and will continue to fight for what I believe is inherently right. I will do all I can to fight against the close-minded desire to shut out the natural relationship between sex and cannabis. Sex is good; cannabis is good. Let’s stop shaming those who choose to combine the two in responsible ways.

The future is cannabis and sex.

PRODUCTS WE LOVE WRITER / KATIE CONLEY

PHOTO / TREVOR BOONE

Sweatshirt, Hat & Beard Balm from Strain Printed

Xyrena Reefer Madness Perfume Collection

Colorado-based company Strain Printed utilizes vintage designs and cozy fabrics for their clothing line—a subtle fashion choice for cannabis lovers bored with Rasta colors and garish layouts. All their products are made on-site in Rifle, Colorado.

Their screen printing process sets the design into the fabric itself, so your print won’t crack and chip after multiple wears. The Blue Dream Fleece Pullover, named after the ever popular Blue Dream strain, is made from 100 percent California fleece cotton. The Headband Cannabis Strain Snapback Hat is a one-size-fitsall structured hat, and the classic design allows you to display your cannabis passion in an understated manner.

The Hemp Seed Beard Balm is made with Hemp Seed Oil and and a beeswax base, sporting a light, natural scent for all your beard sculpting needs. strainprinted.com @strainprinted Price: Sweatshirt $45-$46 Hat $22.99 Beard Balm $13.99

Xyrena’s Reefer Madness perfume collection pairs retro VHSstyle boxes and ‘80s designs with classic cannabis scents. Each of the three unisex fragrances, made from cannabis terpenes, evoke the notes of a specific strain. Blue Dream and OG Kush are earthy and understated, while Space Cake recalls a buttery vanilla cupcake. xyrena.com @xyrena Price: $74.20 each

Green Card Greetings

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Forget Hallmark—send these quirky, cannabis-themed greeting cards to the stoners in your life. Not only will they put a smile on your loved one’s faces, they include a convenient baggy attached to the card, perfect for any extra “goodies” you may want to give. greencardgreetings.com Price: $4.99

Sploofy Personal Smoke Air Filter Say goodbye to lingering smoke.

Whether you’re at your parent’s house or travelling in a non-legalized state, the Sploofy Personal Smoke Air Filter essentially vanishes the smoke you toke. One cartridge can last as many as 300 sessions. Simply exhale into the Sploofy filtration system, and poof! The smoke is gone. sploofybrand.com @sploofybrand Price: $19.99

7pipe Glass Blunt Never fumble on a roll again! Load your flower into the 7pipe Glass Blunt’s sleek chamber, then twist in the gold spiral top to complete your blunt. A chic, yet functional product made from high quality material to class up your blunt game.

7pipe.com & twisty.glass @7pipe Price: $49.99

Smokies Toke Couture Hair Clips These elegant hair clips are handcrafted by San Francisco-based artist Pilar Johnson and sold through her Smokies Toke Couture Etsy shop. Each clip is unique, and the styles vary from flower design to clip material, with choices of Tibetan silver, antique copper or gold tones. A lovely statement piece for the fashion-forward cannabis lover. @smokiesTokeCouture Price: $25-$55

Asche Locket Mill Keep what you love near to your heart. This Locket Mill from NYC-based company Asche is not only a sleek necklace, it doubles as a grinder and comes in 18K Gold Vermeil or Black Rhodium, with choice of a keyring or 30-inch adjustable chain. ascheindustries.com @aschenyc Price: $200 and up

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HISTORY

THE PREJUDICES OF POT PROHIBITION

TRACING THE RACIALLY-CHARGED HISTORY OF AMERICA’S DRUG WAR WRITER / JEFFREY RINDSKOPF

“RACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CENTRAL FEATURE OF AMERICA’S MARIJUANA PROHIBITION.”

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ne of the more disturbing developments of Donald Trump’s presidency has been his appointment of Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions—a man who once joked that he thought the Ku Klux Klan was “okay, until he learned that they smoked marijuana”—to the post of Attorney General.

It’s alarming to think of our nation’s chief law enforcement officer espousing such antiquated prejudices, but perhaps not altogether surprising—for race has always been a central feature of America’s marijuana prohibition.

“Rarely do you see that kind of candor about it, though,” Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes says of Sessions’ Klan remarks. A primary sponsor of Washington’s Initiative 502 to legalize recreational cannabis, Holmes recognizes that the federal government’s ongoing war on drugs has had questionable, even sinister, motives dating back to its inception.

Pharmaceuticals are a valuable crop for industrial use. Though oriental-style hashish parlors already flourished in major cities on the East Coast, recreational use was most common among Mexican immigrants, whose numbers multiplied following the Mexican Revolution of 1910.

El Paso, Texas became the first municipality to criminalize marijuana in a 1914 ordinance, not unlike an 1875 anti-opium law designed to target Chinese immigrants in San Francisco. Both provided law enforcement officials with a convenient excuse to detain, deport and otherwise persecute these new citizens.

Sensationalist newspaper stories meanwhile painted marijuana users as violent criminals, helping to galvanize public opinion against Mexican immigrants and their “marihuana”—a simple colloquialism used to talk about cannabis or hemp. “Mexican, Crazed

by Marihuana, Runs Amuck With Butcher Knife,” read one New York Times headline from 1925.

Many of these stories ran in newspapers published by William Randolph Hearst, famous for his alarmist “yellow journalism,” whose motives were likely economic rather than racial. Holmes, like many others, believes Hearst’s goal in demonizing cannabis was to hurt the hemp industry, a potential competitor to the many paper mills he owned.

“Hearst’s first order of business probably wasn’t to be racially discriminatory, but it sure was an easy means to serve his purposes,” Holmes says, illustrating the complicated motivations that can manifest as discriminatory laws.

Much of the anti-drug propaganda, however, came from the federal government itself—specifically from Harry J. Anslinger, the first head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, created in 1930. Throughout his 32-year tenure, Anslinger spread many fabricated police reports depicting violent crimes supposedly perpetrated by marijuana users, many of them with none-too-subtle racial themes.

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ARTICLE TITLE “Colored students at the Univ. of Minn. partying with (white) female students, smoking [marijuana] and getting their sympathy with stories of racial persecution. Result: pregnancy,” a typical report reads.

The unemployment and economic upheaval of the Great Depression only increased white Americans’ fear of their Spanish-speaking neighbors, likely accelerating the nation on its path to federal prohibition. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed cannabis, and in 1937, the Marihuana Tax Act criminalized recreational use at the federal level while imposing an excise tax on industrial hemp.

The war on drugs as we know it today began in 1970, when the Marihuana Tax Act was replaced with the Controlled Substances Act, which ranked substances according to their harmfulness and potential for addiction. Marijuana was placed as a Schedule I drug by the DEA, the most restrictive category, ignoring the findings of the Shafer Commission, which recommended decriminalizing marijuana.

This continued hostility towards cannabis users was more than just willful ignorance— rather, it was a political smokescreen for then-President Richard Nixon’s true aims.

Former Nixon aide and Watergate co-conspirator John Ehrlichman memorably described the former president’s motives in 1994, saying: “[Nixon] had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people… We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate

46

the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

Of course, many of the officials tasked with enforcing the war on drugs aren’t aware of its racial underpinnings, but that doesn’t change the ways these laws disproportionately affect minorities.

“With drug policy, you have to look at the impacts,” Holmes says. “There is no rule that says, we should have a disproportionate number of blacks incarcerated in our prisons, but we know that’s the effect.”

Indeed, 13 percent of black American men have lost their right to vote as a result of drug incarceration, despite the fact that they use drugs at approximately the same rate as white Americans. In 1986, a black American was six times as likely as a white American to be jailed for drug-related offenses, and in 1996, twenty-two times as likely.

The war on drugs originated as a camouflaged cultural war, and it continues today as an ever-expanding waste of taxpayer funds, with more than $40 billion spent on enforcement annually, and of human life, with more than 92,000 prisoners currently serving time for nonviolent drug offenses.

The waste won’t end under Sessions’ rule, but hopefully that won’t stop Americans from pushing for a sensible drug policy, one without prejudice.

T R AV E L

SLOVENIA A TINY ALPINE HEMP LAND WRITER / SESHATA

S

lovenia has only two million inhabitants, and nestles neatly at the foothills of the Alps, just east of Italy and south of Austria. Due to its location, Slovenia has traditionally been at the mercy of historical great powers including Italy and Austro-Hungary. It was also an integral part of the Yugoslav Republic, and has enjoyed real independence for just thirty years.

Slovenia is a great place to visit in and of itself. It has stunning scenery that is remarkably varied given its small size – in the northwest, high Al-

48

pine peaks and stunning glacial lakes.

Further east, myriad rivers and marshlands, interspersed among rolling foothills, valleys and plateaus.

Slovenia is a popular destination for hiking, skiing, mountaineering, caving, cycling – and enjoying the numerous thermal spas around the country. The country also has a small but respectable winemaking industry, with three major wine-producing regions. The Slovenians themselves are friendly, hearty and welcoming, with a real love of local wine and mountain sports!

“IN SLOVENIA, SMALL AS IT IS, IDEAS CAN TAKE OFF RAPIDLY – AND IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE [MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACTIVIST RICK SIMPSON’S] VISIT SPARKED NATIONWIDE DIALOG.”

Alongside this, Slovenia also has a small but thriving subculture of cannabis and hemp use. Traditionally, hemp was of crucial importance to the rural farming economy, and now efforts are being made to revive history. In fact, in the small Slovenian village of Trimlini, the annual hemp harvest incorporates traditional rituals practiced since ancient times.

Slovenia also has a significant Cannabis Social Club movement, and attitudes towards cannabis use (recreational included) are generally relaxed. Laws are relatively lax, particularly compared to its Balkan neighbors to the east. There are signs that the whole region is moving towards liberalization, and Slovenia may be instrumental to that process.

Some years back, Slovenian activists brought Rick Simpson to speak at a conference and spread the word about his oil.

In Slovenia, small as it is, ideas can take off rapidly – and it wasn’t long before the visit sparked nationwide dialog. Soon after, and following intense debate, the Slovenian government finally opted to allow medicinal use of cannabis.

Now, the ripples of this gradual movement are being felt throughout the Balkans.

Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro and Romania have enacted medicinal cannabis laws – although many complain that laws are not yet comprehensive enough.

I’ve come on a short visit to Slovenia to check out the local scene although it’s quickly clear that I came at the worst time of year, as the wind and rain is relentless.

However, the capital city of Ljubljana is beautiful whatever the season, and a great place for a weekend break.

While I’m here, I hope to check out the local scene, but I’m hit by my first disappointment early on. The Country Estate Trnulja, a gorgeous hotel featuring bio-apartments made from hemp, is closed for the season.

I’ll have to schedule another visit in the summer, as this was a destination I truly wanted to see. The hotel is surrounded by hemp fields, and the restaurant serves homemade delicacies such as hemp gnocchi.

However, it’s not the only hemp house I have lined up. My friend Miha Lamovec, owner of the new company Hemp & Wood Construction, has promised to show me around his project. So on Saturday afternoon we make our way to Slovenske Konjice, a small town around an hour from Ljubljana.

Lamovec’s hemp house project is absolutely stunning, and is undoubtedly the most impressive I have seen so far. Around 1775 square feet over two floors, the house will comprise three ensuite bedrooms, two reception rooms and an open-plan kitchen.

Constructed using a proprietary technique developed by French company AKTA, this house had the hempcrete literally sprayed

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T R AV E L

onto its timber frame! Using this technology, the process takes half as long as conventional methods.

Later, driving back to the local train station so I can return to Ljubljana, Lamovec points out a vast area of hemp fields just minutes from his construction project. Although it’s winter, piles of retting hemp stalks lie in the fields. In summer, he tells me, the entire hillside is carpeted with lush, green hemp! Just one more reason to return here soon.

On my last day in Ljubljana, I drop in to see the leader of the Slovenski Konopljin Socialni Klub, Jaka Bitenc. I haven’t scheduled a meeting, and I interrupt a patient discussion group that is deep in heated debate.

Bitenc is an activist from the old school.

He has been involved with the Slovenian Cannabis Social Club movement from the very beginning, and it was he that so famously brought Rick Simpson to the country to spread the word about RSO.

50

It’s quickly clear that Bitenc is too busy, and too much in-demand, to leave his group to talk to me. I say my goodbyes, make arrangements to talk later, and leave him to his discussions. Clearly, his patients’ needs take top priority – always a refreshing sight in this industry.

Slovenia is a country that embraces transition (albeit sometimes slowly) and boasts strong public engagement. In a small country where ideas spread quickly, and politicians may actually respond, the possibilities for meaningful change are compelling.

With both hemp and medicinal cannabis, an idea seems to have taken hold – and the next few years may see the birth of a whole new way of life.

NEWS

#END420SHAME THE COLLEGE HIGH WRITER / KELLY VO

O

ver and over again, marijuana has proven to have no boundaries in regards to race, age, or sex, but if I were to ask you to describe the “typical cannabis consumer,” more likely than not, they would look like a college student. It’s not a stereotype; it’s a fact. More 18 to 25-yearolds use marijuana than any other age group, based on statistics provided by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

And, now, more college students than ever are getting high.

CANNABIS CONSUMPTION BY AGE

52

AGE

PAST YEAR

PAST YEAR

12-17

13.1%

12.6%

7.4%

7.0%

18-25

31.9%

32.2%

19.6%

19.8%

25-65

10.1%

10.4%

6.6%

6.5%

65+

1.9%

2.4%

1.3%

1.4%

2014

2015

PAST MONTH PAST MONTH 2014 2015

“MARIJUANA USE HAS A ‘LESSER IMPACT’ ON THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY THAN ALCOHOL AND BINGE DRINKING… ‘YOU DON’T SEE THE PROPERTY DAMAGE AND VIOLENCE AND GENERAL DISRUPTIONS.’” According to Monitoring the Future, a survey by the University of Michigan, between 2006 and 2015, the number of college students who consumed marijuana in the past twelve months increased from 30 percent to 38 percent. And the frequency of use is up too. One out of every twentytwo students surveyed stated that they used marijuana daily or almost daily.

Truthfully, the trend isn’t that surprising.

As more states legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis, it’s only to be expected that more college students would use, but should it worry you? Not that I can tell.

Sarah Belstock, the Director of Health Promotion at the University of Denver in Colorado, told NBC News that, “marijuana use has a ‘lesser impact’ on the university community than alcohol and binge drinking…

‘You don’t see the property damage and violence and general disruptions.’”

And there’s no indication that marijuana hurts grades either, reveals a study by Inhale Labs. Based on the survey, which interviewed 2,056 students from across the US, the average self-reported GPA of students classified as daily or near daily marijuana users was 3.2—0.1 higher than the average self-reported GPA of all students.

Taylor Jones, a twenty-four-year-old graduate out of the University of Kentucky, is the perfect example of the college cannabis user. Not only did Jones regularly consume while in school, but he also volunteered, worked and participated in several organizations including Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, eventually graduating with honors and earning his B.B.A. in 2014.

“Marijuana helped me get through the stressful times throughout college,” said Jones. “The pressure in college to succeed can be sometimes overwhelming. Meeting deadlines, managing your time, and being on your own for the first time can be shocking. I used marijuana to tone down at the end of a hard day. It was a way to step out of reality and simply relax. And unlike with other substances, there were no negative side effects. It was also a much better choice than using alcohol. I remember living with friends who drank beer every night. They

always felt hung-over the next morning while I felt completely normal.”

But for Jones, consuming marijuana wasn’t just about relaxation, he also used it medicinally to help him sleep when he really needed it. “I remember, on several occasions, I had to pull an ‘all-nighter’ studying so I could take an exam in the morning. During those times, I’d use marijuana to take a nap the next day.”

Then, there’s the social component. Jones used cannabis as an excuse to hang out with friends and as a way to meet new people.

“No matter their ethnicity or gender, marijuana was very popular at the University of Kentucky,” he remembered.

“There was always paraphernalia at everyone’s house, it was always present at parties, and it was always something offered when you showed up at someone’s house to hang out. I met several friends through marijuana and continue to do so.

It was very common to meet up with several friends to consume then go play basketball, video games or have a cook out.”

For Jones, and thousands of other students just like him, consuming marijuana isn’t an excuse to “slack off” but a necessary part of the college experience: a way to relax, self-medicate, and have fun. And Jones has no plans to consume less now that he’s graduated.

“I have continued to use marijuana medicinally,” he says. “And, I believe that over the next 10-20 years, the research will prove that marijuana has multiple health benefits for the average person. When you look at our society as a whole and see how we abuse substances (i.e. caffeine, alcohol, stimulants, or pain killers) and you take a step back and look at marijuana, it is easily the best option for alternative medicine to relax the individual. I think with legalization happening across the country, marijuana will become more and more accepted as an alternative to other abused substances in college.”

If you have a story to share about cannabis as part of our #End420Shame series, use the hashtag on social media or email kellyv@dopemagazine.com.

According to Monitoring the Future, a survey by the University of Michigan: ••38% of college students said they had used marijuana in the past 12 months.

••4.3% of college students use marijuana daily or almost daily.

••5 out of every 10 college students have not used any illicit drug in the past year.

••Only 5% of college students indicated smoking cigarettes daily, compared to 19% in 1999.

••In 2014, 43% of college students said they have been drunk in the past 30 days, down from 48% in 2006

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SCIENCE

THE INS AND OUTS OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM WERE WE DESIGNED TO BE RECEPTIVE TO CANNABINOIDS? WRITER / MEGAN RUBIO

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H

ave you ever wondered what causes the human body to react to the psychoactive effects of cannabis? Without a doubt, cannabis can be a potent drug. But there is a specific system that makes our bodies and minds more receptive to the effects of cannabis. This system is called the endogenous cannabinoid system, most commonly referred to as the endocannabinoid system.

Only discovered recently, the endocannabinoid system is perhaps the most important system involved in not only establishing, but also maintaining human health. The system was aptly named with respect to the cannabis plant, which led to the discovery of this system within the human body.

Endocannabinoids, as well as their receptors, can be found throughout the body, including in the brain, organs, tissue and immune cells. The key goal of this system, like many other internal systems, is to maintain a stable environment within the body, despite the influences of external environmental factors.

Cannabinoid receptors exist throughout our bodies. Researchers have already identified two of the receptors—CB1, which is mostly present in the nervous system, glands and organs, as well as CB2, which is mainly found within the immune system. Endocannabinoids are substances naturally made within our bodies that stimulate these receptors. But the receptors also respond to the cannabinoids within the cannabis plant.

Plant substances that are able to stimulate the cannabinoid receptors are referred to as phytocannabinoids.

Though there are over 100 documented cannabinoids, the most recognized, well known and researched of those cannabinoids include delta-9-tetrahydrolcannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). Research into the numerous cannabinoids that exist within the cannabis plant have barely begun to scratch the surface of the plant’s medicinal potential. The different strains, comprised of varying cannabinoids, have been suggested as a reason why cannabis-infused substances seem to have the ability to treat a plethora of illnesses.

The receptors, both CB1 and CB2, contribute differently to the stabilities within our bodies. As the cannabinoids are absorbed within the endocannabinoid system, the body is able to maintain a state of homeostasis. Dominance of CB1 receptors has been linked to increased perception of stress, anxiety, paranoia, as well as decreased pain. CB2 receptors, when predominant in the body, are associated with decreased inflammation and tissue injury, along with improvements to the metabolism and energy balance.

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Cannabinoids, whether produced from within the endocannabinoid system or introduced into the body due to cannabis consumption, regulate numerous bodily functions.

When the endocannabinoid system is being properly maintained, it aids in the regulation of sleep, appetite and digestion, mood, motor control, immune function, reproduction and fertility, pain, memory and temperature regulation. It is when this system is out of balance that our bodies become more susceptible to illness, or may result in the improper functioning of critical systems. Issues found to be a result of disharmony in the regulation of the endocannabinoid system include fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

This system was only discovered in the mid-1990s, and there is much research that still needs to be done. While researchers have made little progress in the United States, Israel leads the research on this topic more than any other country. The scientist who discovered the endocannabinoid system, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, was also the doctor who identified THC as the main active ingredient in cannabis.

Some find the sheer existence of the endocannabinoid system to be evidence of cannabis’ potential medical qualities. Our bodies, by design, are built to accept and flourish in the presence of cannabinoids. Despite this, there are still many unknowns about how and why the body functions the way it does in response to the outside introduction of cannabinoids. While our bodies produce their own cannabinoids, there is much left to discover about the cannabis plant and how its numerous cannabinoids impact the body.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has executed a harsh drug war that has led to thousands of deaths, many of them carried out vigilante style. Duterte critic and senator, Leila de Lima, was arrested on charges that she accepted bribes from drug smugglers. She called the charges “lies.” In addition, Duterte responded to a damning report from the group Human Rights Watch that “When you kill criminals, it is not a crime against humanity. The criminals have no humanity. G*ddammit,”

WEED WEEK WRITER / ALEX HALPERIN ILLUSTRATOR / JOSH BOULET

The same day Attorney General Jeff Sessions reversed President Obama’s policy not to incarcerate federal prisoners in private prisons. Private prisons are more dangerous than public ones but Sessions said they are necessary to “meet the future needs of the federal correctional system.” Meanwhile, a state bill co-authored by northern California Assemblyman Jim Wood would forbid local authorities from co-operating with the feds to prosecute state-legal marijuana activity, though neither Sessions nor Spicer specifically said that would happen.

An an ti-S em itic we b sit e ca lle d Th e Da ily Sto rm er su gg es ts th at op po sit ion to AG Jef f Se ss ion s’ dr ug po lic ies is a Jew ish co ns pir ac y.

Re po rte r Ma dis on Ma rg oli n no ted th at th is ha s ro ot s at lea st as fa r ba ck as th e be gin nin g of th e dru g wa r. “Yo u kn ow it’s a fun ny thi ng , eve ry on e of the ba sta rds th at ar e ou t for leg ali zin g ma riju an a is Jew ish ,” Pre sid en Nixon sa id. “W ha t the t Ch ris t is the ma tte r wi th the Jew s, Bo b, wh at is the ma tte r wi th the m? I su pp os e it’s be ca us e mo st of the m are ps yc hia tris ts.”

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White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters to expect a federal crackdown on REC. “I think there’s a big difference between medical marijuana versus recreational marijuana,” Spicer said. “That’s a very, very different subject.”

Asked what this would mean in terms of policy, he said “Well, I think that’s a question for the Department of Justice,” which is led by prohibitionist Jeff Sessions. Spicer also compared legalization to the opioid epidemic.

Shares in penny stock Cannabics Pharmaceuticals turned heads after they spiked to an all-time high of $7.60 per share before crashing back. Analyst Alan Brochstein believes the run up was just “momentum trading” and that it’s a “worthless company.” Despite the hazards of penny stocks, the financial firm Viridian Capital Advisors found that cannabis stocks climbed 236% in 2016. One sign of growing investor interest is that a financial firm has filed to create the first cannabis-oriented exchange traded fund. It won’t invest in REC for now.

U.K.-b ased GW Pharm a releas ed data from a brain cancer clinica l trial indica ting prolon ged life expec tancy for patien ts treate d with a combi nation of THC and CBD. The trial was on patien ts with recurr ent gliobla stoma multifo rme, an aggre ssive brain cance r.

Patien ts who receive d the combi ned therap y survive d for a media n of 550 days, compa red with 369 days for those on a placeb o. In other medica l news, a long awaite d clinica l trial testing MED on vetera ns with PTSD is underw ay.

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PRODUCT

GRIND FOR A CAUSE CONNECTING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY THROUGH DESIGN, CONSULTING, AND PHILANTHROPY

WRITER / KATIE CONLEY

PHOTO / PROVIDED BY GRIND FOR A CAUSE

THE PRODUCT •• Best-selling items are their grinders, silicone jars and hat pins •• Custom laser engraving and silk printing allows for a sleek and completely unique grinder.

•• Grinders come in multiple sizes and materials, with 2 or 4-part configuration options

WWW.GRINDFORACAUSE.COM @GRINDFORACAUSE

G

rind For A Cause, the preeminent custom grinder wholesaler and distributor, aims to be the world’s first inclusive brand. They work with everyone from up and coming artists to super stars and brands within the cannabis, culinary and entertainment industry.

Besides custom-engraved grinders, Grind For A Cause produces rolling trays, jars, dab mats, pins and other smoke accessories with everyone’s budget and quantity needs in mind. With an eye on community building, they don’t want to be known as just a grinder company.

DESIGN

CONSULTING

PHILANTHROPY

Whether a company has an order for 10 or 10 thousand custom accessories, Grind For A Cause wants to help bring designs to life.

They utilize artists to collaborate with different brands, and can help with logos and overall art direction. Always wanting to be inclusive, Grind For A Cause will work with budget and quantity needs; price isn’t important for them, its connecting businesses and collaborating within the industry. They want to be the go-to for custom smoking accessories.

Whether it’s business to business or brand to brand, Grind For A Cause wants to help make the connection happen. Collaboration is key—after all, the cannabis industry will only continue to thrive if companies remain united and harmonious. They understand that one company’s success is a victory for the industry as a whole. Grind For A Cause even helped us here at DOPE meet with The Game for our cover story this month. Connections and consulting are key.

Grind For A Cause also hosts and sponsors charity events, both locally and wherever their clients happen to live. Grind For A Cause works with multiple Washington, D.C. organizations such as Thrive DC, a nonprofit striving to end homelessness, and the Capital Area Food Bank. They want to work with local charities and sponsor non-profits, with all the proceeds going to the organizations. Products aren’t the focus for Grind For A Cause—it’s their philosophy.

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GROW

CULTIVATING SCIENCE IN SALIDA PURE GREENS ELEVATES THE CANNABIS STANDARD IN COLORADO

WRITER / DAVID BAILEY

PHOTO / JENA SCHLOSSER

PURE GREENS IS ADVANCING ADAPTATION

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A core part of cannabis cultivation and the culture surrounding it has been the clandestine nature of the society—after all, it’s been highly illegal. As technology and resources have helped enforcement crack-down over the years, it has also helped growers and dealers avoid getting caught, the ironic development of which being the separation between agriculture and cannabis. What used to only be grown outside in fields and ditches has been brought inside into micro-environments, and over time has become completely unrelated to the practices and agricultural lineage from which it comes.

Growers pushed boundaries and the thresholds of the plant itself in many ways. The yields and familiarity of the plant’s life cycle, through primarily anecdotal science, have been well documented, replicated and published thousands of times over. Our biggest drawbacks had gone largely unrecognized by the budding industry until the emergence of a legal, and thus, regulated industry. While large-scale agriculture has had the very necessary environmental regulations, cannabis growers have become accustomed to extreme electric use, unlimited water supplies, no run-off or fertilizer regulation and premixed and bottled nutrients use—not to mention building, fire and business permits. Not surprisingly, most of the legal market developed out of these practices and perpetuated them until they were forced to adapt, and many are still fighting these adaptations.

CHANGING THE FACE OF CANNABIS PRODUCTION Recognizing a gap in the market that ultimately left the customer without consistent or reliable product, Pure Greens has gone against the standard. Approaching cannabis with the same science and technology available to large-scale and industrial agriculturalists, added with the combined expertise and passion of cannabis growers, Pure Greens hopes to change the face of cannabis production and manufacturing into a more sustainable and ultimately efficient process.

Currently operating with 11,000 ft² indoors, their upcoming approach to greenhouse production has yet to be matched. Expanding to what will be 250,000 ft² of canopy and fully automated, these aren’t your standard hoop house set-ups. Environmental control and fertigation (fertilization and irrigation combined) systems by Argus allow the otherwise outdoor-like setting to be controlled with indoor quality and consistency. If it starts to get too hot, the shade cloth pulls over.

Still too hot? The wet wall, desiccant cooling system kicks on and changes the flow of the fans. Similarly, if the sun gets too shaded, a light meter reads the available micromoles and adjusts the supplemental lighting. That’s only the beginning. The fertigation systems have sensors throughout the greenhouses to monitor the moisture level, pH and EC of the soil itself. This information is fed to the computer controller which will then feed, water or adjust the needs of each individual section. It blends your nutrients, maintains your pH, waters your plants, keeps data and controls the environment all in one.

But the advancements don’t stop there.

Measuring annual light levels and average micromoles per square foot, the team recognized the regular over lighting that’s erroneously installed in many greenhouses.

With the ample sunlight in sunny Colorado, not to mention the intensity they receive at 7,143 ft of elevation, Pure Greens was able to reduce their lighting density by 75 percent and only run the lamps an average of 25 percent of the time. Compared to their indoor operation, this is an increased efficiency of 16x! At the end of the day, you get a more sustainably grown and higher quality product, all for a lower cost.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS AND AUTOMATION, CHECK OUT LLKLINK.COM OR CGS-GROW.COM

THE MARRIAGE OF SCIENCE AND CULTURE Pairing science with culture has already separated and secured Pure Greens’ place in the Colorado cannabis scene. This next step will imbed them in the national marketplace and branch a new model for states coming on board. “Respect for the individual, customer, community and environment” are a mainstay of the cannabis culture, and are literally listed as their company core values.

This is how you make a lasting difference.

“Large-scale” and “mass-produced” pot has been touted for years as the fear of the home grower and a downfall of the environment.

There’s certainly something to be said about artisanal, hand-crafted products, but there’s a difference between allowing Monsanto in the game and growing cannabis on a large-scale. Utilizing agricultural science has pushed growers towards an otherwise unattainable sustainability. Watering is maximized, nutrients and excess run-off are minimized, and most of all, electricity use is miniscule in comparison. Imagine all the extra time spent with the plants when these things aren’t taking up so much of the growers’ time!

It’s time we create a sustainable face to this otherwise green industry.

RIVER GROWN, MOUNTAIN CANNABIS. AT ITS BEST. PUREGREENS.COM

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STRAIN

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This particular batch from Strawberry Fields in Colorado Springs deserves to bring this highly potent classic back into the spotlight.

Testing at an absurdly high 30.6 percent THC, it hits you like a bag of Sativa bricks and will give you one of the most productive, clearheaded highs possible. The perfect daytime, weekend or social setting herb.

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ARTICLE TITLE

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ust when I thought that vape pens couldn’t get any better in Colorado, this Durban Haze Distillate fell into my lap and raised the flavor bar for good. The isolated terpenes captured from Durban Poison and Moonshine Haze make this vape cartridge a perfect, on-the-go method for daytime consumption. Due to the energizing, clear-headed effects of the fully activated distillate, there isn’t a more potent or satisfying cannabis experience out there.

The taste and aroma hit hard and complement one another so well it’s almost a sensory overload. I enjoyed this pen before spending an evening at home with my boyfriend, and we both experienced a notable surge of energy, happiness and a spark of creativity. Not only can you enjoy this terpene paradise as a vape pen, but you can even scoop the Durban Haze Terpenes by themselves and add unprecedented flavor to any dab!

TESTED AT: NORDIC ANALYTICAL nordicanalytic.com

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THC

PHOTO / JENA SCHLOSSER

THC

WRITER / MELISSA JOY

90.99% 96%

(WITHOUT TERPENE INFUSION)

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Concentrate Supply Co. performs distillation a bit differently than most, reaching an extremely low pressure for purification known as Molecular Distillation.

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Haven’t used isolated terps before?

Simply add a drop to any dab, bowl or joint to experience a whole new world of flavor and effect.

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Looking for a new way to consume distillate? Try one of CSC’s infused dab syringes!

ARTICLE TITLE

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STORE

SWEET LEAF: LUXURY SERVICE, AFFORDABLE PRODUCT

HOME OF THE $100 OUNCE! WRITER / KATIE SPIVAK

PHOTO / JENA SCHLOSSER

THE PEOPLE At first impression, Sweet Leaf employees appear passionate and positive. These cannabis industry professionals serve a wide variety of customers, located in the social hub of downtown Denver. Every staff member possesses a friendly attitude and informative tone; they are happy to let customers smell, touch and closely view the many strains of flower.

THE PLACE The store itself offers a sleek design with a simple, yet bright and approachable vibe. Wood grain accents against white and blue furnishings make for a classic, straightforward, spacious ambience.

Coupled with free valet, upbeat music and quick service, Sweet Leaf seems to have mastered the retail operation of the weed world. The RiNo Art District is a culturally diverse neighborhood, constantly bustling and very walkable. Many bars, restaurants and dynamic events happen in this beautiful corner of the Mile High City, so this location is lucky to have plenty of foot traffic and interesting people to serve. In addition to the RiNo store, Sweet Leaf has eight other Colorado dispensaries, with additional storefronts in Oregon state.

THE PRODUCT Sweet Leaf is known for their frequent “You Call It” $100 ounces to both recreational and medical markets, tax inlaced for medical patients. This deal applies to any strain, so you know they aren’t playing around. Popular choices include Hibiscus Sunrise, Mob Boss, Super Northern Haze and Pootie Tang. Coda Signature products fly off the shelves here, as well as a healthy roster of artisan concentrates including Better Concentrates, Craft Concentrates, Green Dot and Quest Concentrates. Sweet Leaf also promotes a different deal for every day of the week, like Munchie Monday, which gives customers a buy one, get one half off edible purchase. Other days include Foggy Friday, with deals on vaporizers, pens and accessories, and Slabs on Sundays, with 20 percent off all concentrates.

2609 WALNUT ST DENVER, CO 80205 HOURS: MON-SAT: 9AM-6:50PM SUN: 10AM-6:50PM SWEETLEAFMARIJUANA.COM

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ARTICLE TITLE TM

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When the lights go down and the music begins, Who would you rather party with?

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GARDEN

STANDING AKIMBO PROPER MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE MILE HIGH WRITER/PHOTO / JENA SCHLOSSER

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ith recreational marijuana legalization exploding, it was a breath of fresh air to wander through a quaint, medical-only cannabis garden filled to the brim with glistening trichomes. If you’re familiar with concentrates around Denver and hold a “purple” MMJ card, chances are you’ve visited Standing Akimbo. The dispensary is owned

by Colorado natives and operated by a team of passionate cannabis enthusiasts. They grow a plethora of signature strains that patients love, including their Honey Banana and Grease Monkey. I frequent this shop, as it’s easily accessible when cruising around Denver.

Upon walking into the garden led by assistant grower Pat Bruscia who works directly under Owner and Grow Master, John Murphy, I immediately noticed the different ages of the plants throughout the room. It’s a truly unique experience being able to see the plant in each stage of life. There were numerous strains: Flo Cookies, White Diesel, Gorilla Glue #4, Red-Eye Jedi and Blueberry Skunk. Some plants were only a few weeks into flower and sprouted fresh pistils, others blossomed with stacked calyxes and intense aromas. Their vegetation room, where these ladies begin their life, was a unique setup—pots were stacked in a stadium-style setting, which maximizes space and light exposure.

The cannabis grown at the Standing Akimbo garden is for both concentrate and dry flower purposes. Within their shop you can find an extensive selection of live resin, rosin, distillates, shatter and waxes—all processed from top-quality hash companies around the state, including Craft 710, Concentrate Supply Co., Viola Extracts, Olio, Green Dot Labs....you get my point. Colorado medical patients, be sure to drop by and check out their selection if you aren’t already familiar.

WEBSITE: STANDINGAKIMBODENVER.COM

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D O P E C U P. D O P E M AG A Z I N E .C O M

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THERE’S A STRAIN FOR THAT

CANNABIS PAIRINGS FOR ENHANCED EXCURSIONS WRITER / JENN LAUDER

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he remarkably diverse cannabis plant can induce a wide variety of effects and experiences. This makes it an ideal companion for almost any occasion—a natural enhancement for any event or activity. We’ve paired a few excellent strains with some of our favorite happenings across the legal landscape, from the Emerald City to Beantown.

Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities in the US, surrounded by water and with views of both the Olympics and the Cascades.

But if you’re looking for otherworldly grandeur of the manmade variety, check out Chihuly Garden and Glass, an indoor/outdoor collection from the renowned eponymous artist. For an immersive experience try Yoga Under Glass, a unique program that draws inspiration from Chihuly’s creative vision, paired with the strain Alice in Wonderland. Noted for its energetic and euphoric high, Alice intensifies sensory experiences with slight psychedelic undertones—perfect for the union of introspective yoga and breathtaking art on a large scale.

Cannabis is best enjoyed outdoors, and that combination can be perfectly, beautifully attained in Oregon. The state boasts topnotch cannabis retailers and gorgeous panoramas. Beloved by many, featuring miles of hiking trails and pristine mountain vistas, the Columbia River Gorge is a can’t-miss natural wonder.

Grab some XJ-13 and head to Multnomah Falls, where you’ll likely encounter crowds on a nice day but can easily escape the masses for a peaceful hike. A piney, citrusy hybrid, XJ-13 will keep you fueled up for your excursion while ensuring that your feet stay solidly underneath you on the rocky terrain—and that you can find your way back.

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In the Bay Area, food is serious business. And because cannabis makes every meal magical, it’s the perfect accompaniment for a culinary tour through Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. Home to such legendary establishments as Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse and the original Peet’s Coffee, the North Shattuck neighborhood was the birthplace of the farm-to-table movement and still offers tasty and innovative delicacies crafted from local ingredients. Puff on some Ghost Train Haze before you set out on your mission for the perfect California cuisine. This strain will stimulate your appetite while relaxing your mind, allowing you to savor all the delicious flavors you encounter.

When you’ve had your fill of the Denver cityscape but still have plenty of bud to burn, it’s time for a trek to Red Rocks. The naturally-formed rock structures create a spectacular open-air amphitheater that hosts concerts of all varieties throughout the spring, summer and fall. Whether you’ve got tickets for Chance the Rapper, Odezsa, or the Trey Anastasio Band, you’re going to want to bring along some Golden Goat. Ideal for social situations, its Island Sweet Skunk roots and Hawaiian sativa zip combine to produce the perfect dancing partner. Golden Goat’s energy boost will keep you boogying all night long.

A springtime visit to Boston is not complete without a stop at historic Fenway Park. And now that Massachusetts is a legal state, those Red Sox games are going to be a lot more fun. It’s no secret that baseball is a slow sport, so a mellow indica like Black Cherry OG is best. The atmosphere in Fenway is always abuzz with the sights, sounds and aromas of America’s pastime, and the Black Cherry will help you take it all in without feeling overwhelmed.

Plus, its mood-enhancing properties make it highly unlikely you’ll care much about the outcome of the game.

Wherever you are, sometimes you just want to stay in. For those nights when you’re ready to get cozy on the couch for a Netflix marathon, curl up with a treasured book, or indulge in an athome spa treatment, Tahoe OG Kush is the way to go. Packing a powerful body high with an introspective edge, this strain will help you settle into your tranquil evening without the least hint of FOMO. It’s also likely that the Tahoe OG will induce an amazing night’s sleep, preparing you for more strain adventures in the morning.

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LIFESTYLE

LOW DOSE EDIBLES PACKING A CONTROLLED PUNCH WRITER / MSKINDNESS B.

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wo hours in, after “I only had a little bit,” the paranoia set in.

Then came the cold sweats, followed by nausea. All I wanted was for it to stop. Boy am I glad no one called 911 that day, though the thought did cross my mind.

Gone are the days of unmeasured backyard brownies. Parents, professionals and patients are seeking ways to reap the benefits of cannabis, without the intense psychoactive effects typically associated with edibles. These 7 brands are proving how micro-dosed edibles can help to increase creativity, improve mood and relieve symptoms of illness—all while working, or taking care of a family!

KIVA PETRA MINTS: MORROCAN MINT (CA) Precisely-dosed mints with Green Tea Matcha and peppermint extract. Each mint is 2.5 mg, allowing you to easily integrate dosing into your daily routine. And they’re sugar-free, so you can dose without guilt! www.kivaconfections.com

ELIXRS BY KINDNESS - CANNAMIZER (CA) A cute twist and spray atomizer that comes in pink or black and three flavors. Each 15 ml insert contains 80 mg of whole-plant infused alcohol tincture. With sublingual sprays at approx. 1 mg each, it ensures easy titration when dosing. It’s purse/pocketfriendly, discreet and refillable! www.ckcollective.com

DR. NORM'S COOKIES: 5 MG (CA) Inspired by Mom, these chocolate chip cookies make sure you Know Your Dose, as each one is 5 mg. They come in single packs or resealable bags of 8, 10 and 20 cookies. 10 and 25 mg cookies are also available. www.doctornorms.com

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STILLWATER TEA PACKETS: GENTLE GREEN TEA (CO) Derived from the Darjeeling region of India, this Gentle Green Tea is lightly caffeinated and only 2.5 mg per serving. It’s calorie-free and the dosing is set, so you can steep to taste without worry. Boost energy and drink up in peace. www.stillwater.life

SWEET GRASS KITCHEN: BUTTERMELTS IN LEMON 2.5 MG (CO) The lemon butter melts in your mouth 2.5 mg at a time. 20 servings to a jar makes it easy to pop them on the go as needed. Sweet Grass cultivated in-house makes this a crop-to-table product! www.sweetgrasskitchen.com

KIVA TERRA BITES: ESPRESSO (CA) Each bite is 5 mg of an indica/sativa blend, crafted from microroasted Tanzanian coffee beans, then coated in KIVA Dark Chocolate. The reusable container holds 24 bites, making it easy and delicious to micro-dose throughout the day. www.kivaconfections.com

MR. MOXEY'S MINTS: GINGER (CBD + THC) (WA) Tasty ginger mints with 5 mg of CBD and 1 mg of THC are packaged in a convenient tin, making them the perfect travel companion. They’re low calorie and low dose—that’s a win win!

Mr. Moxey makes them in Peppermint and Cinnamon, too. www.moxeysmints.com/welcome

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F E AT U R E

ZIGGY MARLEY AND FAMILY COOKBOOK

WRITER / DAVID BAILEY PHOTO / MARK COFFIN

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n every religion and culture throughout the world, food brings people together. Beyond its obvious necessity, the very experience of cooking together and sharing a meal bridges gaps and creates conversations that couldn’t be forged even in the best town hall.

Maintaining the career-long theme of love and communion, Ziggy Marley brings us into his personal kitchen with his first cookbook, Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook: Delicious Meals Made With Whole, Organic Ingredients from the Marley Kitchen. Exploring flavors from across Jamaican cultures, international influences and most importantly, healthy organic foods, we get a first-hand look into the life and family that has been long adored.

Contrary to a few disappointed buyer’s beliefs, there’s not a bit of cannabis in the any of the recipes. While the ganja is often synonymous with reggae, “I don’t cook with cannabis,” says Ziggy. “We didn’t grow up eating it . . . It wasn’t a part of my culinary upbringing.” Instead, the cookbook does just as it should, and introduces us to a delicious and conscientious culinary experience. “People say dem eat wid dem eyes, or something like that, but I say I eat with my brains . . . That is our food culture, being conscious eaters.”

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LIFESTYLE

EARTH-SIGN TAURUS TO FIRE-SIGN ARIES | APRIL 9TH – MAY 3RD, 2017 WRITER / THE HOODWITCH

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ercury goes retrograde. SoCal transit has such a bad reputation, but it is a normal pattern and cycle of life.

In fact, Mercury retrograde is necessary for helping us shift our focus. Learning the role of Mercury is key. Mercury is the planet associated with all forms of communication— it rules over how we express ourselves, how we think and communicate our ideas and feelings to the outside world. It corresponds to different avenues, with various areas of application; its association with the lungs and hands in medical astrology, the media in a natal chart, and the electrical system in a car.

In human beings, Mercury is identified with the nervous system and all forms of sensory

input. When Mercury goes retrograde, this planetary shift will actually help steer our focus away from expressing outwards, and into expressing inwards. Don’t be afraid to take the journey!

When Mercury is direct, it helps us speak our truth and communicate it to the world.

When Mercury goes retrograde, however, this planet gives us the opportunity to assess our truth and how we have been communicating it to the world.

This dual process must happen in order for us to truly understand who we are, and how we choose to express or communicate this information.

Between the days of April 9th and May 3rd, 2017, start working on those deeper parts of the psyche—be gentle and honest with yourself. Mercury retrograde isn’t “negative.” It’s just that when we know our truth, we know who we are. Of course, it isn’t all rainbows and flowers.

Mercury retrograde comes with the obvious annoyances, but they’re for our growth, despite how frustrating they can feel. Be patient, and expect the delays and errors in communication that are always associated with mercury retrograde. Be open and receptive to the lessons our lovely Mercurial teacher has in store for us by being mindful of the following: Don’t sign legal documents and/or major contracts.

Expect travel delays, and give yourself some flexibility in your travel schedule.

Be open to subconscious messages (the truth ALWAYS comes to the surface).

Tell your ex you’re still not interested (pesky exes love making appearances during retrogrades).

Go inward and truly use this time for deep introspection: grounding mediation, journaling, painting, resting. Release and explore all your emotions in a healthy, creative manner.

Mercury Retrograde is in the Earthy sign of Taurus, which means it’s wise to use this time to budget your finances wisely. Grounding your energy, and using discernment is going to be key! For the next three weeks: breathe deep, take things slow and trust that inner voice!

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MEDITATION MANTRA “The information shown during this retrograde will show me the way to break free from comfort zones and routines. This change of pace offers me a new opportunity to change my life direction appropriately. I am being shown ways to broaden my perspective by using my intuition.�

Allow insights from your meditations to lead you into deeper relaxation, utilize candles, herbs, stones and oils to create your own rituals for selfreflection, peace of mind and mental clarity. Take no less than 15-30 minutes, preferably at the same time each day to sit with yourself over the course of this retrograde.

Mercury Retrograde essential oils: Vetiver (grounding), Patchouli (grounding), Lavender (stress-relief), Chamomile (relaxation, releases anger)

Mercury Gemstones for grounding and Mental Clarity: Smokey Quartz, Clear Quartz, Black Tourmaline, Purple Fluorite

Candle colors: Blue, Black, White

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T

4/20 FLICKS

MOVIE-ING BEYOND THE STEREOTYPE WRITER / JEFFREY RINDSKOPF ILLUSTRATION / BEAU GREENER

3. LIFE OF PI Life of Pi is a film about spirituality, storytelling, connection, the human will to survive and the intensely personal relationship between a man and his God(s). It’s also about an Indian family that owns a zoo, a boy stranded at sea with a man-eating tiger and an uncharted floating island that eats people. Beyond all that, it also displays some of the coolest visuals and best CGI effects ever put to film, including one psychedelic sequence just as trippy as the one from Doctor Strange—you know the one I mean.

4. EXISTENZ

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hat makes a movie ideal to watch while stoned? According to most lists on the subject, the chief requirement is one or more characters who smoke weed, but I say screw that. Tastes may vary depending on the person, not to mention the pot, but the best 4/20 films are more of an experience – not just a movie. They’re visually interesting, thought-provoking, gut-busting, cringe-inducing, and above all, unique.

1. WAKING LIFE You know those rambling philosophical discussions you have whenever you smoke with your best buds? Waking Life is a movie made up of those conversations, each one more likely than the last to blow your mind. Even better, all of it is rotoscoped—animation with squiggly cartoon lines drawn on top of actual film—giving the whole thing a hallucinogenic, acid-fried quality that will keep your brain as busy as the discussions about dream-worlds, free will and the nature of time. Whoa.

2. DRIVE Drive is a movie drenched in intoxicating ‘80s style, from its sultry, synth-driven soundtrack to its vision of a Los Angeles that’s always basking in sunset or lit with cool neon come nighttime. Ryan Gosling barely speaks as the mysterious badass at the film’s center, but he doesn’t need to—the drama, the romance, the tension, and even the horror all come from the film’s hypnotic atmosphere, a gritty retro world any stoner would be glad to get lost within.

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eXistenZ is a little like The Matrix as directed by David Cronenberg—a twisty sci-fi designed to make you question your reality, only this time with a self-referential story about VR video games that plug right into the base of the gamer’s spine. Jennifer Jason Leigh and a surprisingly hilarious Jude Law star in a movie that always seems to keep one foot in dark comedy, and another in disturbing bodily horror—the kind only David Cronenberg can create. If you don’t find yourself screaming “eXistenZ is paused!” after this head trip of a movie, you aren’t high enough.

5. IT FOLLOWS Being high makes you paranoid, and being paranoid makes horror movies way better. It Follows is a perfectly paranoia-fueling horror feature. The concept is so effectively scary it seems like an ancient urban legend—a sexually-transmitted curse that slowly but unceasingly follows you until it kills you, unless you pass it on to someone else.

The movie is like a nightmare version of summertime filled with perfect jump scares, though even scarier is the feeling of being followed that’ll stick with you even after the credits roll.

6. THE LEGO MOVIE The Lego Movie shouldn’t be this entertaining, but it is. It’s lively and colorful and hilarious, so packed full of visual splendor and clever lines it’ll keep even the sleepiest of stoners awake. All of it builds up to one hell of a twist, the kind that makes everything that came before better, and speaks to the Lego-obsessed little kid in all of us.

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Follow, interact and find us: @wonderleafco // Facebook.com/wonderleafco

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GRIDDLED DEVILED EGGS

AN EASTER BASKET TREAT FOR GROWN UPS WRITER / LAURA AND MARYJANE

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n addition to having an Easter egg hunt this year, which would be totally awesome while under the influence, why not celebrate 4/20 with these over-the-top deviled eggs. I’ve had a good deal of experience with stuffed eggs, and honestly there was only one I found too bizarre to eat. That particular egg was filled with peanut butter and grape jelly, sprinkled with mandarin orange bits. Unless I was literally starving, I don’t think I could be in a situation that would get me to eat it.

This recipe, however, originally un-infused by a famed Portland chef, is in a category all its own. The fresh horseradish adds a surprising hint of fire, but it is the canna-buttered, griddled crust that will make you swoon. Any questions or comments, give us a shout at LaurieandMaryJane.com. We will be eggcited to hear from you. No yoke. (Sorry).

DEVILED EGGS Serves 6 6 large eggs, hardboiled and peeled

2 teaspoons freshly grated horseradish

1. C arefully cut the eggs in half, removing t h e yo l k s a n d p l a c i n g t h e m i n a small bowl. Set the egg white cavities aside. Add the mayonnaise, canna-butter, horseradish, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper to the egg yolks and mix well. The mixture should be smooth and creamy. If you prefer, you can puree in a food processor for a perfectly smooth yolk mixture.

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2. F ill the egg white cavities with the yolk mixture, pressing down gently.

4 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 teaspoons cannabutter, softened

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar Salt and black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons melted canna-butter 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

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3. D ip the stuffed eggs into the melted canna-butter, filling side down, then into the breadcrumbs.

4. P lace the eggs, crumb side down, in a nonstick skillet. Cook until golden brown. Serve warm.

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F E AT U R E

SISTERS OF THE VALLEY OLD HABIT IN A NEW AGE WRITER / TOM DOMEK PHOTO / PROVIDED BY SISTERS OF THE VALLEY

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Rev. 22:1-2

OPE Magazine correspondent Tom Domek recently interviewed Sister Kate, the New Age founder of Sisters of the Valley, a homegrown cannabis business located in Merced, California. Sister Kate, aka Christine Meeusen, is a well-educated, fifty-something healer and entrepreneur whose alternative lifestyle has piqued the interest of cannabis enthusiasts across the country. Here, Sister Kate delves into her beliefs and out-of-themainstream lifestyle.

DOPE Magazine: What is Sisters of the Valley?

SISTER KATE: The Sisters of the Valley is a newly born, new-age group of Sisters whose fundamental mission is to get plant-based medicine into the hands of those in need. The mission is supported by their founding principles, which are to honor Mother Earth and her intelligent plant (cannabis), to provide a valuable product to the people, empower women to succeed and participate in peaceful, progressive activism.

Who are the Sisters of the Valley?

There are five sisters: me, Sister Claire, Sister Freya, Sister Kassidy and Sister Evee. A year ago we occupied a small, one-acre farm in the Central Valley of California. We have two houses; one house we refer to as the abbey. We have a large kitchen dedicated to medicament-making.

Why do you wear the traditional habit and “uniform� of Catholic nuns? After all, you aren't actual nuns.

Gen. 1:12

The Sisters don the habit of their ancient mothers to remind themselves daily and through meditation to walk and live in a manner that would make their foremothers proud. They occupy a habit that has been largely abandoned by church-affiliated nuns.

They wear the uniform to announce to the public their profession, and to announce the enclave to which they belong. The order is patterned after the Beguines, who focused on lifting women out of poverty by providing training, jobs, housing and food security. Nuns are no longer out protesting with the people. They are going extinct, actually. So the uniform is unused, and yet it means something. We have co-opted the look, but not from Catholics, but from our ancient Beguine mothers whom the Catholic nuns co-opted from.

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So your “order” is focused on social activism, as well as developing healing products from cannabis?

Why are you and the others Sisters called to heal others? From what place inside you does that originate?

We believe in helping locally, where we can. We are very focused on making honorable jobs for the women and men who need them. We have women's hands in the air, volunteering to set up abbeys in their corners of the world, from Fresno to Dublin. We are getting ready to open a second kitchen in Fresno. We do have products being made in two other kitchens, but we don't consider those abbeys. We would love to have a magic wand to help everyone, to put sisterhoods everywhere, to expand the compassionate mission swiftly, but we are earthlings and our powers are limited. We are very focused on making honorable jobs for women right here, because if everyone reached out a helping hand, the world would suddenly be connected by helping hands, and wouldn't that be a lovely place? Our spirituality is for us alone, for we do not evangelize. We have no belief systems we wish to convert others from, other than the bad attitudes toward the intelligent plant, and the bad attitudes toward women in leadership and, especially, in spiritual leadership roles.

Some of us were born to be healers and some of us were formed by life experience—by a painful, circuitous path to the medicine. We are Beguine revivalists. We believe that housing security, food security, education security, upward mobility and equal opportunities are what people need to heal. The intelligent plant is a way to wealth for women who suffer the brunt of all poverty in all societies, and have since the beginning of time. We are called to a spiritual, peaceful life. We are called to living in harmony with Mother Earth and her people.

How do your spiritual beliefs affect the development of and preparation of your products?

Our most popular product, by far, is our topical salve. Our second most popular items are our CBD drops. We have the drops in two forms—liquid coconut oil (virtually no taste) and as a tincture—and in 150 proof alcohol, which has a sting when dropped on the tongue, but is faster acting than the other.

Seizure pets and people need the immediate reaction that the tincture gives. Most people use the milder-tasting form.

Tell me about the cannabis you use in your products.

We grow and use the same medical marijuana strains that everyone else does, except the THC is virtually bred out of them. We use mostly AC/DC, Harlequin and Suzy Q. We have gone to calling it hemp because the 2004 Federal Court of Appeals ruling says that anything under one percent THC is considered hemp, and is out of the jurisdiction of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). People take our products for a long list of reasons.

People have reported to us great results with migraines through either using our tropical salve or the drops; for arthritic pain, people use the salve, which people also use for sleeplessness, anxiety and much more. People can order our products online at www.weednuns.com.

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Tell me about your products. What are some of your best sellers?

We have rituals we follow. We wash our hands with holy soap. We burn sage and palo santo incense, we say a blessing of the hands, a blessing of the tools and a blessing of the packages when they go out the door. We sage before entering the kitchen. We protect the energies of the medicine from disturbance.

The Sisters make products that their ancient mothers considered to be medicine. We take a vow of obedience to the moon cycles, the planting cycles and the cycles of medicine-making. All of the Sisters' products are made between the cycle of the new moon and full moon. Every batch is labeled with the appropriate moon-cycle identifier.

So is cannabis an inherently “spiritual” plant to you and, if so, how does it enhance one’s spirituality?

Yes, cannabis is an intelligent plant. The way we look at it, cannabis and women have suppression in common. Organized religion has done neither of them a favor. It's time for them both to reclaim their space of divine recognition, of honor. Women have been disrespected, the plant has been disrespected, and when that happens society as a whole suffers.

So what is next for you? What are the goals for your business and how will you realize them?

Canada is next. It is called “Red Nation Risk” mitigation. If Cheetolini's (President Trump's) cabinet decides to turn against the plant, we could be stopped from shipping over state and international boundaries—even though all of our products are non-psychotropic, and have either zero or trace (less than 0.3 percent) THC. If that happens, our business would be crippled. Our real goal is big and bold: to have weednuns in every city across the globe.

www.emeraldharvest.co

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