AU G U S T 2 0 1 6
THE HEMPFEST ISSUE
EASTERN WA S H I N G T O N FREE
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O G B U D D H A TA H O E
C O N C E N T R AT E B L AC K D I A M O N D
S TO R E
LUCKY LEAF
GARDEN
NUGREEN
Steve DeAngelo
A New Era of Cannabis, A New Era of Progress
CANNABIS & TRIBAL LANDS S QUAX I N I S L A N D T R I B E GOES GREEN
SEATTLE HEMPFEST ® REFLECTING ON 25 YEARS
DOPE BICYCLE TOUR T R E K F R O M S E AT T L E TO L O S A N G E L E S
刀䔀䔀䘀䔀刀 匀吀夀䰀䔀 㤀㠀⼀㌀ 匀䰀䤀䴀 匀䤀娀䔀 㤀㠀⼀㈀㘀 䬀䤀一䜀 匀䤀娀䔀 㤀⼀㈀㘀 䬀䤀一䜀 匀䤀娀䔀 㤀⼀㈀
䘀唀吀唀刀伀䰀䄀 䬀一伀䌀䬀䈀伀堀 䘀䤀䰀䰀匀 倀刀䔀ⴀ刀伀䰀䰀䔀䐀 䌀伀一䔀匀 䤀一 ㈀ 䴀䤀一唀吀䔀匀
昀甀琀甀爀漀氀愀甀猀愀⸀挀漀洀
眀栀漀氀攀猀愀氀攀䀀昀甀琀甀爀漀氀愀甀猀愀⸀挀漀洀
⬀ 㠀 㘀㔀 㤀㔀㤀㠀
AU G U S T 2 0 1 6 | T H E H E M P I S S U E
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NCE UPON A TIME, five years ago, DOPE Magazine printed its first 15,000 copies and descended upon Seattle’s iconic protest festival, HEMPFEST®. This set in motion our involvement in an industry that was on the verge of experiencing revolutionary milestones and unprecedented progress. Reflecting on the plot line, it barely seems real. The surface of the national cannabis conversation suggests enormous progress. We’ve witnessed states push for more progressive laws and seen individuals realize new wellness-based treatments. However, despite the great strides that legalization has taken in states like Washington, acknowledging the challenges that we as a larger community still face is imperative. One must admit, the plethora of vape pen options now available to consumers in Washington state sits awkwardly beside news of individuals facing incarceration for possession of a joint in Oklahoma. The investment opportunities available in certain states only further degrade the dollars being spent incarcerating cannabis-related offenses elsewhere. Progress, indeed, can be misleading. The notion of misleading progress is found in more than one conversation in our culture. As we’ve witnessed the summer months of 2016 in the United States marred by violence, we’re reminded that hatred and discrimination are still very real in our country. Mass shootings aimed at the LGBTQ community and racial tensions boiling over in the streets are indicative of recurring cultural themes that’ve yet to be extinguished, and find themselves fueled by viral videos that guarantee a visceral and widespread reaction. While it goes without saying that we’ve won many battles in the name of equality—if the cell phone videos and headlines are true—the mission is far from over. And as divisive dialogue remains, one can’t help but wonder if the real win will be found when we realize that what we’re fighting for isn’t all that different. Nonetheless, as we soldier on together through these revolutionary times, it is essential to celebrate the victories along the way. For us, DOPE Magazine turning five years old falls into that category, and we appreciate you picking up this issue and taking part in the progressive festivities with us. Together we’ve blazed quite the trail, but make no mistake, we have a long way to go. Stay DOPE, Abigail Ross Content Director
@ D O P E M AG A Z I N E
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DOPE Magazine and the entire contents of this publication are copywritten by 2016 DOPE Magazine LLC. All rights are reserved and the information contained herein may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from DOPE Magazine LLC.
D O P E M AG A Z I N E . C O M
AU G U S T 2 0 1 6 | T H E H E M P I S S U E
E D I TO R I A L
DESIGN
I N S TAG R A M
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ABIGAIL ROSS @abigaileross Content Director
MEGHAN RIDLEY @miss_ridley Senior Editor
BRANDON PALMA @brandonpalma Art Director
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ERICA LEONG @merrrica National Office Manager
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ROSIE BONDIE @killaarose Oregon State Director MICHELLE GLASSMAN CO State Director
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JENA SCHLOSSER WEB
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DRAKE CARNAHAN ERIC SKAAR HILARY SAUNDERS J.F.S. WILHELM JADE GREEN JEFFREY RINDSKOPF JONATHAN HUPPERT JOSHUA TAYLOR KATIE SPIVAK KELLY VO @kevowriting KEVIN HENRY KIMBERLY CARGILE KYLE HUBLY LEAH MAURER @duhanna MARK M. WARD MEGAN RUBIO MELISSA JOY
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ASHLEIGH CASTRO @hash_assassin BRIE SEAVY CHRIS RYAN @chrisryanphoto DEVILLE NUNES DYLAN PRIEST EMILY NICHOLS JACKSON COZAD JENA SCHLOSSER JENNIFER TRISTAN JEREMIAH TOLLER JESSIE HOROWITZ MARK COFFIN @themarkcoffin MELISSA MANKINS MIKE DIEP MIKE EMMONS TINA BALLEW ELENA SHASHKINA
DOPE MAGAZINE is a free monthly publication dedicated to providing an informative and wellness-minded 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.
ERIC ERLANDSEN @ericerlandsen ANGEL AHMAD TERRANCE MCDANIEL @t.thedopeman JASON ROSENBERG JACKSON COZAD VERONICA GUEVARA ZAK HUGHES Web Ad Coordinator
EVENTS
SANDRA SEMLING Events Director JENIKA MAO @JenikaMimiMao Admin Event Coordinator
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S AU G U S T 2 0 1 6
THE HEMP ISSUE 12
DOPE EVENTS Summer Cannabis Events
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F E AT U R E What Would Coleman Want?
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BRANDING BUD The ABC’S of CBD
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H E A LT H Addicted To Nature
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NEWS Skin On Skin
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G R OW American Hemp
THE HEMP ISSUE
AU G U S T 2 0 1 6
FREE
STRAIN
COCONUT KUSH
R AEI N C O N C E N TSRTAT S IFLVL UOMGI NKAT U SI HO G
D TI BRLAT E E CONCEN D AY D R E A M EXRJS- 1 3
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D I S P E N SSATROYR E
NEWS Legal Weed P R O D U C T S W E L OV E
KUSHISM 99 HIGH TIDE COLLECTIVE
GARDEN
SENSE C U LT I VAT O R S
Steve DeAngelo
A New Era of Cannabis, A New Era of Progress
STEVE DEANGELO ONE PLANT ONE PEOPLE
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H E A LT H More For Your Money
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#END420SHAME The Hemp Controversy
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LIFESTYLE Gotta Catch Em All!
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T R AV E L Italy
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DOPE NEWS Weed Week With Alex Halperin
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@ D O P E M AG A Z I N E Hashtags
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SEATTLE HEMPFEST REFLECTING ON 25 YEARS
CANNABIS & TRIBAL LANDS S QUAX I N I S L A N D T R I B E GOES GREEN
DOPE BICYCLE TOUR T R E K F R O M S E AT T L E TO L O S A N G L E S
AU G U S T C OV E R Photo by Jamie Soja Design by Brandon Palma
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SEATTLE HEMPFEST
THE PEOPLE OF THE WATER
DOPE BICYCLE TOUR
REFLECTING ON 25 YEARS
SQUAX I N T R I B E O P E N CANNABUSINESS ON FEDERAL LAND
TREK FROM S E AT T L E T O LOS ANGELES
T H E
V A P O R I Z E R
H A S
E V O L V E D
AVAILABLE AT
W W W . V A P O R N A T I O N . C O M
EVENTS
DOPE EVENTS SUMMER 2016 WRITER / JENIKA MAO
SEATTLE HEMPFEST ® August 19–21 Seattle, Washington
T
he Seattle HEMPFEST is the world’s largest annual cannabis policy reform event and is celebrating its 25th year. Held in downtown Seattle’s waterfront, HEMPFEST features six stages of world-class music and speakers; 400 arts, crafts, food and information vendors; and is staffed by 1,000 volunteers. Performing acts such as Everlast, Rehab, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Hed PE, The Accused, Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs, Lucero, 7 Year Bitch, Donald Glaude and over 1,000 other performers have graced HEMPFEST’s stages over the last 25 years. Info on vending, sponsorships or volunteer opportunities can be found at HEMPFEST.org
OREGON CANNABIS GROWER’S FAIR August 13–14 Portland, Oregon
F THE 7TH ANNUAL CLINIC CHARITY CLASSIC August 26 Denver, Colorado
F
or the past few years, The Clinic Colorado has been a supporter of the National MS Society, a great non-profit organization. Through Walk MS Team and their annual golf tournament, they have raised $40,000 for the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National MS Society. We are expecting yet again another successful turnout! What makes this event different than the rest is the strength in its community bonds and its genuine mission to find a cure for MS. Join us on August 26 at the beautiful Arrowhead Golf Club and be sure to swing by the DOPE booth!
or the first time ever, the cannabis industry will be presenting a Live Cannabis Plant Award Ceremony on August 13 and 14 in Portland, Oregon. Many producers will display live contestants and give attendees the opportunity to explore crafted plants of Oregon and meet the growers themselves. This event will vary from licensed producers all the way down to those who are just plain curious and looking to learn more about the industry from a grower’s perspective. Whether you are licensed to grow or a patient limited to just four plants at home, this event is for you. Purchase your fair ticket today!
AUGUST 6,7 • 2016
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M A G A Z I N E
JOlN US THERE! AL U N ss ® N e n i 5 A s po na Bu TH
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For more information, visit: MJBizConference.com or call 401-354-7555 x1
F E AT U R E
WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY
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PHOTOS / COURTESY OF THE WHITING FAMILY
HEN THE WHITING FAMILY gathered on the evening of May 24, 2016, they were overwhelmed by the sudden death of their son and brother, Coleman. At only 24 years of age, he was simply gone too soon. Through their shock and grief, they consoled themselves with one question:What would Coleman want? Diagnosed with epilepsy in adolescence, Coleman had spent much of his life under the care of neurologists—which included being prescribed numerous pharmaceutical
ILLUSTRATION / TENHUN (TENHUNDREDART.COM)
seizure medications over the years. By the age of 20 however, cannabis was emerging as a legitimate option for the treatment of seizure disorders. His decision to invite his dad, Jerry, to lunch and toss his medical marijuana authorization on the table was a timely turning point in not just the conversation surrounding Coleman’s health, but the beginning of a beautiful business opportunity. As Jerry said to Coleman, “I don’t know much about it, but Marty Lee is staying with us during HEMPFEST® in a few weeks.”
F E AT U R E
“WE’RE WATCHING IN UTTER AMAZEMENT AS COLEMAN LIVES ON THROUGH THE LOVING EFFORTS OF THOSE HE LOVED. HE WAS MY SON, MY BUSINESS PARTNER AND MY BEST FRIEND.” -JERRY WHITING
Father Jerry Whiting and son ColemanWhiting
Having Marty Lee, aka Martin A. Lee, who happens to be the author of Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana, give you a six-day crash course on the ins and outs of CBDs will get you up to speed on the medical cannabis movement right quick. Thus began a personal and professional endeavor that would lead Coleman and Jerry into their next relationship: business partners. Over the coming years, the two would found LeBlanc CNE, a medical cannabis company with an emphasis on CBD genetics. Meanwhile, Coleman’s presence in the medical cannabis community in Seattle was growing—when he wasn’t busy running CO2 extraction units at Green Lion, he was a well-known face in organizations such as the Coalition for Cannabis Standards
& Ethics and The Cannabis Alliance. Working as a budtender and manager at Herban Legends only furthered his reputation in the industry, where his style and spirit never went unnoticed. And then, amidst so much joy and progress, Coleman unexpectedly lost his life. Following a regular appointment with his neurologist, he returned to his car and suffered a fatal seizure known as SUDEP—sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. While the shock traveled through Coleman’s large circle of family and friends, outpourings of love and hope nonetheless began to shine through the tragedy. It’s safe to say that’s exactly what Coleman would want.
While Coleman is no longer here with us, it now feels as if he’s everywhere. Posters and t-shirts throughout the community keep his uniquely stylish look fresh in our minds. Shoutouts at concerts all over Seattle keep his name in our conversations. And the Coleman Whiting Memorial Fund through Project CBD keeps his beautiful spirit alive and well—where all donations made will go to support economically disadvantaged patients who are in need of CBD-rich cannabis treatment. When the Whiting family gathered together the evening that Coleman passed away, and found the strength to ask, “What would Coleman want?” they may have not realized just how quickly answers would start to appear. As Jerry concluded, “We’re watching in utter amazement as Coleman lives on through the loving efforts of those he loved. He was my son, my business partner and my best friend.” Rest in peace, Coleman. Your spirit shines on.
WWW.PROJECTCBD.ORG/ COLEMAN-WHITING-MEMORIAL-FUND
BRANDING BUD
T H E A B C’S O F C B D CLARIFYING TH E CONCERNS AROU ND CBD WRITER / DAVID PALESCHUCK, MBA, CLS
TH ERE ARE THREE TYPES OF CANNABIS:
INDICA, SATIVA & RUDERALIS
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HILE ALL THREE PRODUCE cannabinoids including THC and CBD, Cannabis Ruderalis—known as hemp—doesn’t contain them in high enough concentrations to produce therapeutic effects. Hemp and its derivatives are legal to import into the United States and ship from state to state—while growing hemp remains federally illegal. Manufacturers are harshly processing large amounts of hemp to derive enough CBD to call their oil a ‘CBD product.’ This creates a few concerns. Mainly, there are no ‘CBD Product Safety Standards,’ and there is no required testing to confirm the amount of CBD in the product is equivalent to what the makers claim. The process of extracting CBD from plant matter requires the use of harsh chemicals. The more plant matter needed to extract the CBD, the greater the likelihood trace amounts of those chemicals remain.
Department of Health and Human Services warning letter sent out.
TH E FDA & CBD
WHAT IS CBD? CBD—or cannabidiol—is one of more than 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. CBD is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. And because it doesn’t deliver the high of THC, it’s being researched as an effective medicine. CBD has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-depressant qualities. Because CBD is non-psychoactive, it works for people seeking relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms and other condi-
tions without feeling ‘stoned.’ According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, CBD reduces, suppresses and combats: • Nausea and Vomiting • Seizure Activity • Psychosis Disorders • Inflammatory Disorders • Neurodegenerative Disorders • Tumor and Cancer Cells • Anxiety and Depression Disorders
The FDA, considers CBD an, “unapproved new drug”—continuing—“many companies are misbranding the products and issuing false claims to consumers. Often these products do not even list their ingredients on the product label.” What’s worse, the FDA conducted tests on many CBD products and found that in most cases, the products contained very little cannabidiol—if any at all.
BRANDING BUD
CBD-ONLY LAWS
Accordingly, in late February 2016, the FDA issued a warning letter to companies that manufacture and market hemp oils claiming to be “rich in CBD.” By promising cures for conditions such as cancer, autism and epilepsy—none of which have been tested by the FDA—they appear to be violating food and drug labeling laws. While CBD seems to have therapeutic properties in cell and animal studies, there have been no FDA approved, double-blind, placebo controlled trials of CBD for humans— which is the only avenue to drug certification and legal medical claims. A work-around for companies selling CBD is to simply make no medical claims and link to outside independent research; then let buyers draw their own conclusions. While the FDA is focusing on medical claims by CBD processors, many experts remain concerned about a bigger issue: Where exactly is this hemp CBD coming from and what’s actually in it? Today, hemp is mainly grown in China, Eastern Europe and Canada for industrial use as fiber or seed oil—and contains trace amounts of CBD. Some industrial hemp is grown for bio-remediation, as the plant helps leach heavy metals out of tainted soil.
Laws allowing for the use of CBD, but not whole plant marijuana, for medical reasons provide a shield for politicians trying to blunt marijuana reform. After Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN Special, Weed, in 2014, the United States saw a new restrictive type of medical cannabis law pass in Utah—one that only legalized cannabidiol (CBD) and only in the form of oil. Soon after, Alabama, Kentucky and Wisconsin all passed their own versions of the bill. There are now a total of 16 states that have legalized CBDrich oil but no other forms of cannabis use. New York passed a restrictive cannabis law that allows more than just CBD, but smoking is still illegal. New York is one of the 23 states, plus D.C., to have legalized whole-plant medical cannabis. That said, while NY law is very restrictive with a pro-CBD bias, it does allow access to more than just CBD medicine. With 23 states and D.C. passing whole-plant medical cannabis programs and another 16 having CBD-only laws, nearly three-quarters of America has medical cannabis laws on the books in some form. Thanks to this massive surge in medical cannabis programs, Congress and presidential candidates are finally beginning to view cannabis legalization as a voting issue. Senator Rand Paul was the first to openly court the cannabis industry for donations, and has won many friends within the industry for his political perspective. Now, conservative politicians in conservative states can support medical marijuana, but with the caveat that it is CBD-only, without any psychoactive THC. Regrettably, this is also without the numerous medicinal benefits of THC and other cannabinoids, such as lowering ocular pressure in people with glaucoma, helping trigger apoptosis and appetite in cancer patients, helping combat PTSD, anxiety and more.
A DRUG IS MISBRANDED UNDER SECTION 502(F) (1) OF THE ACT [21 U.S.C. 352(F)(1)] IF THE DRUG FAILS TO BEAR ADEQUATE DIRECTIONS FOR ITS INTENDED USE(S). “ADEQUATE DIRECTIONS FOR USE” MEANS DIRECTIONS UNDER WHICH A LAYPERSON CAN USE A DRUG SAFELY AND FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH IT IS INTENDED (21 CFR 201.5). PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 503(B) (1)(A) OF THE ACT [21 U.S.C. 353(B)(1)(A)], CAN ONLY BE USED SAFELY AT THE DIRECTION, AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION, OF A LICENSED PRACTITIONER.
BRANDING BUD
“CBD IS EXTRACTED AND SEPARATED FROM SPECIFIC VARIETIES OF CANNABIS, OFTEN KNOWN AS HEMP. CHEMICALLY, CBD IS ONE OF 85 CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES KNOWN AS CANNABINOIDS, WHICH ARE ALL FOUND IN THE CANNABIS PLANT. CBD IS THE SECOND MOST ABUNDANT COMPOUND IN HEMP, TYPICALLY REPRESENTING UP TO 40% OF ITS EXTRACTS.”
A SOBERING SUMMARY
Aceso: Calming Spray (335mg CBD)
The cannabis plant, and everything in it, is illegal under federal law. And even in states where it is legal, it is not legal to ship cannabis products from state to state, or to leave the state with such a product. With the presidential election around the corner and Congress actively debating cannabis legalization, it is critical that our elected representatives understand the importance of whole-plant medicine and why single molecule CBD-only laws are not the right approach. Current legislation contains an inherent pro-CBD bias and would completely remove CBD from the Controlled Substances Act, while leaving whole-plant cannabis in Schedule II, and Marinol (synthetic THC) in schedule III. Even with its anti-THC bias, legislation should be passed to allow for better access to cannabis for research purposes, paving the way for scientific study and data that will allow for and bring clarity and balance to the discussion.
David Paleschuck, MBA, CLS is a Seattle-based writer, entrepreneur and marketing expert. He has had a long career in marketing, branding, licensing, and partnership development. He has worked for world-class consumer brands, including American Express, MasterCard, Pepsi and Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis, available in late 2016. Contact him at david@newleaflicensing.com or on twitter @dpaleschuck. Molecular structure of CBD
Aroma and Resin Enricher
H E A LT H
U NITING IN TH E FIGHT FOR LEGALITY WRITER / BIANCA FOX, SURFER AND TOKER
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NE THING IS TRUE of the surfer, skater and toker. We are all addicts who have found our perfect high. We are truly addicted to nature. A session on land or sea reaps increased health and happiness. The same occurs for tokers and those who solely partake in CBD medicine. The highs of surfers, skaters and tokers are Earth’s gifts. Personally, I like to call it “Nature’s Prozac.” It’s also a pure form of meditation. Those who meditate say the goal is for the mind to be clear. For on the water or the concrete, time stops—the mind becomes clear. Surfing provides athletes with a cocktail of adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. Partaking in CBD? It’s a double dose of feel good mechanics. For four decades, beginning in the 1960s, the stereotype that surfers were lazy, wasted burnouts was commonly accepted. That misconception
has since seen scrutiny. Times have changed. “These days, the cool thing for pro surfers is to be healthy, and perform better and longer in life,” pro surfer Tom Rezvan told DOPE Magazine. “They are out eating organic. Now, longevity is all that matters. Kelly Slater is 44. He’s the blueprint.” As pro surfers actively seek out and adopt healthy lifestyles, negative stereotypes that once proliferated are slinking back into the dark holes from whence they came. A few of today’s top titans of the sea and concrete voiced their support for medicinal cannabis. DOPE Magazine had the pleasure of talking with pro skater Charlie Blair and pro surfer Tom Rezvan.
“I’VE ACTUALLY USED THE CBD OIL SPRAY ON AN ANKLE SPRAIN INJURY AND IT WAS A FREAKIN’ MIRACLE WORKER. IT WAS SO COOL BECAUSE I WASN’T PUTTING IT ON MYSELF TO GET HIGH, I WAS DOING IT TO HEAL MYSELF.” -BRAD DOMKE, PRO SURFER & SKIMBOARDER
PHOTO / DYLAN PALMER
BRAD DOMKE Famous in the surf and skimboard world is a fearless man who is always pushing the limits. Known for making the impossible possible is pro skimboarder Brad Domke. He calls his greatest feats, “waves of consequence,” and drops into them on a skimboard (yes, a skimboard) at hot spots including Puerto Escondido, Nazare, Portugal and Jaws. He’s also known as part of the Jackass Surf Crew, known for its righteous feats. “Whether dropping in on a skimboard is right or wrong, I just want to do it for my own mental sake,” Domke shared with DOPE about big wave skimboarding. Following a string of contests for the past decade, Domke is now focusing on creating content highlighting his skimboarding accomplishments for an action sports television channel in Brazil called The Brad Domke Show. Domke, 27, currently resides in Dana Point of Laguna Beach. “The last five years of my life have been just going for broke on waves that no one would even care or dare to go on,” Domke explained. “Now I am into testing out my equipment.”
Speaking of righteous, Domke’s opinion on medicinal CBD oil topicals certainly is—he trusts them to heal athletic injuries. Although Domke does not toke, he does believe in the magical healing powers of topicals. “I’ve actually used the CBD oil spray on an ankle sprain injury and it was a freakin’ miracle worker,” Domke said. “It was so cool because I wasn’t putting it on myself to get high, I was doing it to heal myself.” Domke has voiced his support of other surfers’ use of the natural plant. “I see surfers, some who feel that they need to smoke upon waking and before they surf all the time,” Domke shared. “You are not going to argue with their surfing because they kill it.” As a child, Domke witnessed the alluring, albeit addictive, power of pharmaceutical pills. He grew up the son of a pharmacist. “No one knows what is really in pain relieving pills,” Domke said. “I’d much rather use an oil topical on an injury than pop a bunch of Advil.” “To each his own,” Domke said in closing. “If toking medicinally helps you, then continue on.”
CHARLIE BLAIR It is undisputable that this professional skateboarder rips all types of bowls hard. Charlie Blair is also out and outspoken on everything cannabis. Blair, 25, skates pro for the famous Powell-Peralta Skate Team, a highly respected crew. The locals of his current residency in Corona, California are lucky witnesses to Blair’s skating feats. “I got my board coming out right now, it’s actually sold out,” Blair explained to DOPE. “We are obviously going to make more, but I am fuckin’ hyped and that’s all right! The team is treating me good and I am keeping up with everyone else.” The news sounded too good to be true. A board produced in his honor, carrying his name. “I told the guys they better not be lying to me! But it was true.” Blair loves the world of skateboarding, one of the few places where smoking weed out in the open is accepted. Sponsored skaters toke and openly admit it without repercussions. “Most skaters you would think don’t smoke weed,” explained Blair. “Everybody does. It helps out with our pain and stress. Our managers don’t care that we smoke bowls.” Blair prefers a traditional bong with an OG strain and enjoys edibles—cookies over other sweets. He witnessed the powerful healing properties of topicals after watching a friend recover from injuries he sustained in a severe car accident using them. As a worshipper of weed, Blair sees it as both recreational and medicinal. It eases the severe pains that go hand-inhand with being a skateboarder. “It eases my pain and also makes me forget about it,” he admitted. “My team smokes bowls. When we get hurt we just smoke a blunt or a bong. It helps us a lot.”
Photo by: Deville Nunes
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TOM REZVAN Worshipped for shooting recent El Niño barrels is Tom Rezvan. The world renowned pro surfer is proud to now call himself 40. Tom has no quarrels conquering big waves, which can be credited to his years of experience and good health. The Huntington Beach local is an integral part of a respected crew that grew up together. Rezvan does not rip the bong like the barrel, but he utilizes hemp in his health and wellness protocol. He is currently enjoying Nature’s Flavors CBD Water. “The combination of keeping the diet healthy helps,” he explained. “I’m in better shape than I was ten years ago. I follow an alkaline diet with raw vegetables and a wheatgrass shot upon waking in the morning.” Staying in shape has its rewards. Rezvan was the first surfer to ride the Snowdonia Wave Garden in Wales, UK last July and the first American pro surfer to ride the Al Ain Wadi Adventure Wavepool in the United Arab Emirates near Dubai. Rezvan looks forward to experimenting with additional hemp and CBD foods to further his longevity. “I’m stoked on my age and taking care of myself,” he said in closing. “I don’t want my retirement years to be sitting down.”
Photo by Jackson Cozad
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STRANGE VACATION TO INNOVATIVE FASHION WRITER / JOSH TAYLOR
PHOTO / CHRIS RYAN
NEWS
T
HERE ARE RARELY TIMES I think, “I would like to be a 5’4” woman of small frame.” I began to rethink that thought upon being given a jacket to review by Strange Vacation. Although designed for a woman, by women, I was jealous of the eventual recipient of this piece of artisanal leather. Strange Vacation is one of a select few leather brands whose designs cater to women that ride. They’ve launched their first collection and a piece from this series would be the ultimate gift for the woman in your life who rides. Buttery soft, strong and built to last, these jackets aren’t just for show. The company is owned and operated by two women. Jenny Czinder, who has a highly popular Instagram feed, @Hookersandpopcorn, which catalogues both her brave cycle-based stunts and some seriously sexy NSFW shots where her leathers may be the largest piece of clothing featured. Kelly Wehner is the other
half of the company. She honed her love of design and fashion innovation while working as a designer for Nike. The partners sought to fill a gap in the market—stylish yet protective riding gear for women. At its core, the collection relies on classic silhouettes with a modern twist. Forget cheap cow skin from unknown origins, Strange Vacation’s leather pieces are manufactured back on that other coast in Massachusetts by Vanson Leathers—a leader in the industry who’s been making motorcycle leathers and racing suits for over 40 years. The knit pieces in the collection are made right here in Portland by Columbia Knit, established in 1921. The company lists four guiding focuses: Authenticity, Quality, Functionality and Aesthetics. They believe, “Any woman who gets on a bike is a warrior, by testing her limits and freeing herself. Strange Vacation is here to protect her, make her look good and unleash her power.” Worthy goals that we should all seek to support, motorcycles or otherwise.
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C O V E R F E AT U R E
“The underground tribes who have carried this plant through the long and dark years of prohibition. The dreadlock warriors, the wise earth mothers and the radical fairies, and the revolutionaries, all the underground tribes who for decades and decades have nurtured this plant, we gave her a home when nobody else would. We protected her, we watched her grow and develop, we fought ferociously for her inspiration, and we suffered to do that-in ways I don’t think most people who are entering the industry can even begin to grasp. We made some of the biggest sacrifices humans can make, we took the biggest risks. We had our property seized, our bank accounts seized, we had our kids seized. We’ve been arrested, we’ve been put on trial, and locked up in jail and torn away from the people that we love. Families have been destroyed, people’s health has been ruined—people have even died. Fortunes and lives and families, many many many many have been lost carrying this plant to the place we’re at today. Those sacrifices have been huge and for the most part they didn’t occur because people wanted to get rich, they occurred because people believed that this plant was a good thing, that it was a necessary thing. It made us—helped us—be more like the people that we wanted to be.”
C O V E R F E AT U R E
A
S THE CANNABIS COMMUNITY gains revolutionary ground, it remains divided. This great divide holds a significant amount of individuals. It’s somewhere between the terminally ill and the stoners, the patients and the potheads. And it appears to be a wellness-based conversation that we’ve forgotten to have. When Steve DeAngelo first acquainted himself with cannabis as a young person, he was trying to get high. That’s what smoking weed was all about after all. “I was introduced to cannabis as an intoxicant because that was the paradigm for cannabis use. But then over the years, I started learning there are all these other things about how cannabis was used. It had been used as a sacrament, it had been used as a raw material to make textiles and paper, it had been used as a medicine and helped cure various things; that there were thousands of different products that you could make out of it. Then, I end up in California and in 2006, I opened up Harborside Health Center. And when I opened Harborside, I knew in my own mind that there was a lot more to cannabis than just getting high, but I didn’t have the words to really express what it was at that point.” DeAngelo’s pondering would soon develop into an entirely different context for the conversation. He knew that 25-30 percent of the patients visiting Harborside were using cannabis for legitimately therapeutic purposes, leaving the rest in a group that were apparently just getting high. Or were they? “I also knew that there were people coming into Harborside, large numbers of people, who weren’t medicating for anxiety or depression, or for any drastic medical condition; they were using cannabis for other purposes. I didn’t feel that those purposes amounted to just getting high, but I didn’t really have another name to call it. I think about the ability of cannabis to extend your patience, or wake up your sense of play, or spark your creativity, or enhance the sound of music or the taste of a meal or the touch of your lover’s skin. So I started thinking about this to answer the reporters, and they were like, ‘Why are those people really getting high?’ and I came to the realization that no, no those things aren’t just
about getting high. All the wellness uses of cannabis, whether it’s killing tumors; or reducing or alleviating seizures; or alleviating anxiety; or extending your sense of creativity, we’re not talking about getting intoxicated, we’re not talking about getting so out of it that you lose touch with reality. What we’re really talking about is enhancing, optimizing the most valuable and precious experiences that life has to offer human beings. And so, that was when I came to understand that the use of cannabis is a wellness use, rather than intoxication.” While DeAngelo is a clear opponent of boxing cannabis in as an intoxicant, he is careful to not discredit the issues surrounding highness and personal freedoms. “I undeniably and absolutely believe that human beings have the right to get high. I think that overwhelming ecstasy and joy are normal and desirable parts of the human experience. But just because we have a right doesn’t mean that the smartest thing to do is exercise that right to the point of absurdity.” Amidst the emerging road to wellness that DeAngelo is paving, regulatory frameworks continue to keep the systems of medical and recreational cannabis at odds—as well as a large population confused as to what their cannabis use is in actuality. As DeAngelo concluded, “Unfortunately, because of the still-stigma wrapped around cannabis use, we have this bizarre regulatory situation where the cannabis market has been divided into ‘medical’ and ‘recreational,’ when everybody who uses cannabis knows that people who are at recreational shops are using for medical purposes and people at medical shops are using for recreational purposes. So it’s absurd, what has happened is that stupid elected officials have put in a regulatory paradigm which divides our community one side to the other. We should not buy into that, what we should do is we should unify and demand regulations that understand the plant as we understand the plant, it is one plant. You can use it for wellness; you can use it for ecstasy; you can use it for therapeutic purposes; you can make paper out of it; you can feed yourself with it and grow it in a variety of different ways. It is infinitely malleable, but it is one plant and we are one people.”
“I UNDENIABLY AND ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT HUMAN BEINGS HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET HIGH. I THINK THAT OVERWHELMING ECSTASY AND JOY ARE NORMAL AND DESIRABLE PARTS OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. BUT JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE A RIGHT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THE SMARTEST THING TO DO IS EXERCISE THAT RIGHT TO THE POINT OF ABSURDITY.”
C O V E R F E AT U R E
bringing cannabis culture and corporate america together “It’s very simple, this plant has been around for thousands and thousands of years and never done anybody any harm, but corporate culture has been around for a few hundred years and taken us to the brink of planetary extinction. There’s no question as to what needs to happen, but the paradox doesn’t happen without us allowing newcomers into the industry. Our arms aren’t long enough in the cannabis legacy and community to reach all around the world, to create the kinds of production and distribution, and political and regulatory infrastructure that a legal industry is going to take. We have to welcome in people who have just recently heard the same call we’ve been hearing for years and years. And it’s not just a question of letting it go, it’s a question of sharing it generously and insisting at the same time that the lessons that this plant teaches us be taken seriously, and be incorporated into the business models and industry that we’ve built. We all know that the world that we are living in does not work unless there is change, so let’s build something that we can really be proud of—that really unleashes all of that change potential that is latent in the cannabis plant and our relationship with it.”
I N T E RV I EW
QU E S T I O N S AN INTERVIEW WITH H EMPFEST® CO-FOU NDER VIVIAN McPEAK WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY
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HEN HEMPFEST FIRST TOOK root in the Emerald City, we lived in a vastly different time. Iconic and unwavering in its stance, the broad message of freedom that has defined this protest festival has rendered its ethos timeless. Standing up, opening eyes and pushing boundaries encompass the HEMPFEST spirit. Over the previous 25 years of advocacy, HEMPFEST has occupied an integral space in the cannabis movement. It witnessed the dawn of medical marijuana, as well as the first breaths of legalized recreational cannabis. Alongside this have been peaks and valleys in involvement from the public, leaving the event organizers contemplating how to continue to put on a donation-based weekend of peaceful protest amidst crowds of hundreds of thousands. In order to grasp the long-standing legacy HEMPFEST has brought to the mantra of living free, DOPE Magazine sat down with the organization’s co-founder, Vivian McPeak, to reflect on 25 years of freedom festivity.
Q
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DOPE MAGAZINE: When HEMPFEST began 25 years ago, did you imagine the movement here now? What do you view as the iconic strides made over the previous years? Vivian McPeak (V.M.): We did envision a day when cannabis enthusiasts would be able to live free from paranoia and persecution, but we had no way to predict the patchwork reforms that have taken place, or the nascent and emerging industry that is developing. We were acting on instinct and a desire to defend our culture against the injustices of the Drug War, which we saw as a war on our beautiful and gentle culture.
Vivian McPeak
A BRIEF TIMELINE OF HEMPFEST® ARTWORK 1991
1991 “Washington Hemp Expo” Poster, the very first “Hempfest”
1994
1994 “Hempfest poster “7 Year Bitch”
1998
1998 Hempfest Poster
I N T E RV I EW
“THE SEATTLE HEMPFEST IS A PROTEST FESTIVAL THAT IS ABLE TO GIVE A VOICE TO HUNDREDS OF MUSIC ARTISTS AND ACTIVISTS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY GENERATING REVENUE FOR THE REGION THROUGH VARIOUS COTTAGE INDUSTRIES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.”
2013
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2014
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2013 Hempfest Poster
2014 Hempfest Poster/Program Cover
DOPE MAGAZINE: HEMPFEST has been coined a ‘protestival.’ Being as familiar with the theme of protest as you are, how do you view the concept in the very digital age we’re living? V.M.: The Seattle HEMPFEST is a protest festival that is able to give a voice to hundreds of music artists and activists while simultaneously generating revenue for the region through various cottage industries and local businesses. It is a departure from some of the traditional, disruptive and adversarial forms of protest. In this digital age, anyone can participate in dissent and activism from their homes or jobs via social media, websites and e-mail. It is exciting because activism requires a voice, and now anyone can voice their demands and dreams for social change. DOPE MAGAZINE: Describe the expansion HEMPFEST has experienced over recent years. What additional cities is the organization present in? V.M.: We have strong opinions that an event named HEMPFEST should be a community-values based production. After we saw someone try to dishonestly use our proprietary logos to trademark the name we moved forward and obtained our own federal trademark on HEMPFEST®. Since that time we have worked with community organizers in other regions by licensing the name. Currently there is a Las Vegas HEMPFEST, an Alaska HEMPFEST and a HEMPFEST in Umpqua, Oregon.
I N T E RV I EW
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DOPE MAGAZINE: Do you view a correlation between the cannabis movement and the recent victories for the LGBTQ community? V.M.: I would be careful not to compare the experiences that the pot culture has had with the LGBT struggle, but we all share a desire to be who we are and live the way we choose. What we all demand is tolerance and a respect for diversity. We face the same fearbased oppression that is rooted in a lack of understanding, as we are simply making different choices that should not impact anyone else. We should all stand in solidarity so that all Americans can choose their lifestyle choices free from bigotry and discrimination. DOPE MAGAZINE: Define the term freedom for our readers. V.M.: For me, freedom is the right to determine how one lives when one’s choices do not deny anyone else the equal right to choose for themselves. Freedom takes many forms, but it always comes down to liberty and self-determination, and the ability to express one’s self and live free from unreasonable limitations and persecution.
Seattle HEMPFEST® is the very first non-profit “protestival” of its kind that advocates cannabis policy reform and de-scheduling. Now in its 25th year, due to lack of donations from the community and attendees, the event’s existence is threatened. Our mission is to Keep HEMPFEST® Alive for future generations to experience. Visit: www.gofundme.com keephempfestalive to donate today! Donors will receive a wide variety of gifts for donating—including options ranging
from official Seattle HEMPFEST® posters and t-shirts, to the first ten donors of $300 or more receiving a VIP ticket to the
DOPE Magazine/HEMPFEST® after party— featuring the finest of the cannabis community.
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HESE DAYS, MOST AMERICANS can find hemp as an ingredient in everyday products at the grocery store. From lotions to plastics, it’s common to see the cannabis leaf proudly stamped on half of the bottles in the 'natural' aisle. It’s not a stretch to say we’ve all become pretty comfortable with hemp products, and there have been great efforts in dichotomizing hemp from 'marijuana.' In actuality though, hemp is cannabis just as marijuana is cannabis—and they’re both illegal in the United States according to federal law. So the question becomes, how did the two end up on such drastically opposing trajectories?
Humans have been cultivating hemp since the dawn of civilization. In 1810, hemp was the third largest agricultural commodity in the United States. Due to labor intensive harvesting and processing, hemp was unable to adapt to mass production in U.S. agriculture and the cultivation of the plant slowly declined into the 1920s when it virtually disappeared. Up until this point, both types of cannabis—hemp and what many now call marijuana, were not only legal but regularly used. Dependent upon how it grew, people used the plant for everything from clothes to medicine. Prior to the production boom in agriculture, both plants were just called hemp with variation arising between Indian-grown hemp and its European counterpart. The biggest difference between the two was one produced enough resin to make hash and the other was primarily used for crafting textile goods such as rope, clothes, fabric and paper. At some point in hemp’s history, the plant went from being a common farm and household good to a demonized substance. We’re all aware of the steady stream of negative cannabis propaganda that has taken center stage over the years—Reefer Madness and The War on Drugs come to mind. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics went so far as to change the ‘j’ to an ‘h,’ as in 'marihuana,' in an effort to invoke fear of a foreign drug, which it wasn’t. Truth be told, 'marihuana' is nothing more than a localized-Mexican colloquialism for cannabis or hemp. The Bureau’s motives behind demonizing the plant can most certainly be attributed to the plant’s economic potential, and their attempts at fear mongering were bold and successful. At the end of the day, it seems our commitment to science, or lack thereof, has kept this plant from being fully understood. Hemp and marijuana are both sub-species of Cannabis sativa L. Imagine hemp being a cherry tomato and recreational or medical cannabis being an Early Girl. Both are tomatoes, but they grow drastically different, taste different, and ultimately the tomatoes can have differing nutritional and terpene content. The same is true of cannabis. While they’re both undoubtedly cannabis, hemp and marijuana appear physically different and can maintain shockingly different chemical profiles and plant structures. Hemp is much more fibrous, lacking a substantial amount of resin producing flowers and has traditionally been culti-
vated for food, clothing and rope. Hemp is typically grown in large outdoor rows similar to corn. The side shading stretches the plants straight toward the sun to create thick elongated stems reaching in excess of 14 feet. Just like the cannabis we grow at home, hemp will flower out and finish in late fall. Rather than having THC-laden buds, the flowers fill with seeds from pollination. Hemp seeds are one of the most versatile parts of the plant being rich in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, providing a complete protein and a rich serving of fiber and micronutrients. As you can imagine, this was an amazing superfood for those fairing for themselves on the homestead. Thanks to nature and selective breeding, we’ve managed to breed this plant into the strains we find most desirable. While we didn’t start with hemp, it’s likely that many of the phenotypes—strains—we started with shared large similarities with hemp. For a plant to survive in its natural habitat, it needs to be largely pest resistant, resilient to local weather conditions and able to grow in numerous environments— hence the nickname weed. The nickname suggests the plant thrives almost anywhere, but this is a fallacy. Selective breeding has weakened some of the plant’s strengths. Notice the relevance of pesticides recently? At the end of the day, cannabis is still cannabis. Just as we’ve come to recognize indicas and sativas as different, hemp is just another category. Simply put, the lack in understanding these differences allowed for the initial anti-marijuana sentiment to gather steam. The general public, including the American Medical Association, have historically referred to both varieties as hemp. In the 1930s, most people didn’t realize that the demonized drug, marihuana, and the hemp field in their backyard were the exact same thing! Thankfully we live in the Age of Information. I’m sure plenty of people still believe everything they read, but the knowledge we possess at our fingertips keeps many of us from being blatantly mislead. We’re in the midst of overcoming one of the longest prohibitions in the United States, with a plant that has the potential to treat cancer, ease ailments and raise spirits. Let’s not leave behind hemp because it’s not cannabis as we know it. Let us lead the charge in showing the world what we can do with cannabis.
“THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF NARCOTICS WENT SO FAR AS TO CHANGE THE ‘J’ TO AN ‘H,’ AS IN 'MARIHUANA,' IN AN EFFORT TO INVOKE FEAR OF A FOREIGN DRUG, WHICH IT WASN’T. TRUTH BE TOLD, 'MARIHUANA' IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LOCALIZEDMEXICAN COLLOQUIALISM FOR CANNABIS OR HEMP.”
CANNA-NEWS
WRITER / MARK M. WARD
T
AXES AREN’T THE ONLY facet of corporate and political ravenousness that hinders citizens and patients from cultivating. Patriot Care is a company that has acquired licenses for cannabis facilities in Boston, Greenfield and presently has a dispensary and cultivation facility in Lowell, Massachusetts. The company is directed by CEO Bob Mayerson, who would know a great deal about big business as former president and chief officer at Eastern Mountain Sports, and through his financial roles at Pepsi and Staples. Patriot Care’s Lowell facility joins Ayer, Brocton, North Hampton and Salem as a select few Massachusetts cities with facilities providing medicine to cannabis patients. The Boston and Greenfield facilities will be completed over the summer. Patriot Care has made an arrangement with the city of Lowell containing such conditions that they will pay $25,000 to the city for every dispensary that uses their cultivation center’s products. It would make sense that medical and recreational home cultivation would compromise the great investments these companies have placed into the medical cannabis industry. Activist Brianna Morrel clarifies why Patriot Care’s lobbyists work so diligently to inhibit legalization and home grows, “Patriot Care has associations with anti-legalization campaigns
CANNA-NEWS
“DISPENSARY ADMINISTRATIONS ARE GOING SO FAR AS TO SUPPORT AND EVEN FORM ANTI-LEGALIZATION ORGANIZATIONS IN AN EFFORT TO COMBAT COMPETITIVE GROWING.”
in Massachusetts.” According to Morrel, “Patriot Care has vowed to never become a recreational dispensary even after legalization. Their board has voiced support for Flaherty’s zoning bill which would restrict how closely dispensaries can open to one another. Patriot Care’s lobbyist, Daniel Delaney, has filed an anti-legalization effort (supposedly on his own accord) dubbed, Safe Cannabis Massachusetts, as well as having a second connection to Safe Cannabis Massachusetts through outsourced contractor Greg Czarnowski, owner of the domain registered to the anti-legalization group.” Ultimately we have come to find that legal home cultivation is imperiled and confined to only a few medical cannabis states, but is not consistently permitted in all. Dispensaries have not only campaigned to regulate dispensary proximity zoning, but also how close a patient’s home grow may be to their establishment as well. Dispensary administrations are going so far as to support and even form anti-legalization organizations in an effort to combat competitive growing. At the same time, they are actively supporting lawmakers’ proposed tax-per-plant policies, setting up patients for anxiety, compliance failure and potential prosecution. As a result of all of this intimidation, apprehension and confusion, the question we are left with is: when will we be good to grow?
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NEWS
T H E P E O P L E O F T H E WAT E R SQUAXIN TRIBE OPEN CANNABUSINESS ON FEDERAL LAND WRITER / JADE GREEN
PHOTO / PROVIDED BY SQUAXIN TRIBE
E
LEVATION IS A RECREATIONAL retail cannabis store located on the tribal land owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe in Mason County, Washington. Officially opening on November 12, 2015 at precisely 4:20p.m., Elevation is the first cannabis business to open on tribal land in the United States. This is significant for the cannabis industry—cannabis is still recognized as an illegal drug at the federal level, although it is authorized for medical use in 39 states and Washington D.C., and is acceptable for recreational use in Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington state and D.C. The Squaxin Island Tribe is known as The People of the Water, having lived and thrived along the southern shores of the Salish Sea for hundreds of years. Following Washington’s legalization of recreational cannabis in November 2012, the tribe observed legal cannabis stores popping up around the state. It wasn’t long after the first recreational cannabis stores opened in July 2014 that the Wilkinson Memo was released by the U.S. government’s Department of Justice. The Wilkinson Memo did not legalize cannabis on tribal land, but it did indicate where enforcement would be focused. This important memo from the government sparked the Squaxin Island Tribe’s interest in the cannabis industry further. By early spring of 2015, they decided to actively pursue a business in the cannabis industry and by November 2015, a precedent was set across the country.
“WE WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH OURSELVES AS A BUSINESS THAT BRINGS HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS TO GREAT CUSTOMERS AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES. I DO NOT SEE WHY PEOPLE SHOULD BE PAYING MORE FOR A PRODUCT AFTER IT IS LEGAL.” -MICHAEL OGDEN, MANAGER OF ELEVATION AND SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE MEMBER.
Compact; An agreement, treaty, or contract. The term compact is most often applied to agreements among states or between nations on matters in which they have a common concern.
The Squaxin Island Tribe’s successful foray into the cannabis industry has been viewed as a catalyst for other tribes in the United States to embark on similar journeys. In the recent past, many tribes have been involved in the gaming industry—helping them build solid economic infrastructures in their communities. However, not all tribal land is located near a populated area that would support such a large business. As we look forward, cannabis may be one route to economic stability for tribes who opt to go in that direction. The Squaxin Island Tribe’s decision to open a recreational cannabis shop will inspire future conversations about federal legalization of cannabis, medical research and the potential for cannabis to be used in minimizing drug abuse. Before opening Elevation, the Squaxin Island Tribal leaders discussed community perceptions around cannabis involvement, potential impact on the community’s youth and the economic benefits. The Squaxin Island Tribe wanted to establish and maintain a healthy and diplomatic relationship with the state of Washington. While Elevation has been open for less than a year, they have future plans to reinvest in their community by funneling revenue towards education for local students and tribal government programs. The Squaxin Island Tribe wants to preserve the health and safety of their community, reduce black market cannabis sales in their community, establish revenue streams and legitimize cannabis as a worthwhile enterprise. Elevation is the result of that planning and hard work, fast becoming known around Washington for its great service and low prices. Owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe rather than an individual or group of people, the shop has become an important part of the
local community. The revenue benefits the tribe as a whole and members take great pride in the businesses that have developed under their watch. The community continues to grow, learn and expand. Wandering into Elevation, you won’t see any obvious differences between this recreational store and others. The shelves are full of delicious flower and other marijuana-infused items, and the staff knows its products. The range of goodies at Elevation is widely varied and covers all aspects of cannabis consumption. The staff’s focus is adding credibility to the cannabis industry for consumers and the wider community. Behind the scenes, Elevation is bound by a compact that was created by Squaxin Tribal leadership and signed by the Governor of the State of Washington. This compact directly parallels the I-502 legislation (the legal recreational cannabis state initiative); however, it is a compact agreement between the Squaxin Island Tribe, a sovereign nation, and the State of Washington. That does mean that Elevation is operating in a legal gray area with some risk, as based on the contents of the Department of Justice’s memo. Elevation’s inventory is predominantly made up of cannabis products that are grown and produced within 30 minutes of the store itself. A wide variety of flower and a diverse range of concentrates from various extraction methods can be found on their shelves. The wide range of edibles offered includes chocolates, brownies, truffles, sodas, mints and tinctures. If you’re looking for some new glass, you can find a dab rig, bong or pipe in-store too. In addition, Elevation’s prices are low, a model that the Squaxin Island Tribe use for their retail businesses—having a reputation for offering low prices across Mason County.
FACTS ON ELEVATION Cannabis businesses remain illegal on federal land, despite Elevation being opened on Squaxin Island Tribal land. The Squaxin Island Tribe is a sovereign nation, and although they are held by charter to uphold federal law, they still operate in a gray area and voluntarily adhere to their agreement with the State of Washington. The agreements were created to establish and maintain a healthy and diplomatic relationship between the Squaxin Island Tribe and Washington state. ●Elevation is owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe rather than an individual or a partnership. Revenue produced will be funneled back into the community to support education and tribal government programs.
Most of the cannabis flower in Elevation is grown within 30 minutes of the shop itself. Supporting local business! Elevation is known for their low prices too, so if you’re around Mason County, go visit the team!
VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE
SEPT 17-18 , 2016
$15 $20
One ticket provides entry on both days.
With federal legalization on the horizon, Canada is poised to be the global leader in cannabis production. Join over 150 exhibitors and presenters from across North America and Europe to learn about new products and new opportunities.
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY PHOTO / MARK COFFIN
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PHOTO STYLIST / MALINA LOPEZ
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Sipping on a warm cup of CBD tea isn’t exactly something most people envision as a daily activity, but that’s because they haven’t heard of Hemptealicious. This CBD-rich pure hemp tea works great as a day-starter or night-ender.
Looking for some CBD-infused hydration in your life? CBD Living Water allows for the ingestion of CBDs, rather than the common inhalation—then combines it with purified water for a healthy dose of wellness.
lordjones.com @thelordjones
hemptealicious.com @purehempbotanicals
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Handling the gooey mess of texture that cannabis concentrate often finds itself in can get troublesome. 710 Parchment gives stylish options for separating and otherwise divvying up these potent pieces properly. the710parchment.com @710parchment
extractconsultants.com
Ladies, cannabis swimwear is now a thing. Featuring Brazilian styles that bring Mary Jane to life in a sexy and fun fashion. One-piece and two-piece options abound, and yes, they ship worldwide to all who are interested. @mrssmokesswimwear
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**Cannabis provided by Cultivar Syndicate Cannabis and grinder provided by Leafly**
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LINX HYPNOS ZERO
GENIUS PIPE
STONEDWARE COMPANY
VERDELUX CANDIES
BASTINE BAG
BREEZ MINTS
The vaping world is full of options, but the Linx Hypnos Zero is a stealthy option for those who prefer to load their own extract. It’s easy to charge up, loads quickly and offers users a range of temperature options.
This incognito smoking contraption slips almost too perfectly into your pocket—not to mention discreetly hides the smoking capacity of the unit via its sleek cover. Most won’t know what it is, and those that do will love you for it.
This female-founded company made big waves with their Bernie 2016 pipes, but their collection beyond the Bern is impressive as well. These are individually crafted from porcelain and some feature 22K gold accents.
These potent little beauties are handmade utilizing traditional Victorian-style methodology. The cannabis they’re infused with has been extracted with 100 percent organic ethanol. The packages come with ten, 10mg doses per package.
Bastine Hemp Chic products pride themselves on being both green and versatile. Through their use of hemp, organic cotton and various other natural fibers, they’ve crafted an environmentally-conscious line that’s a site to behold.
This California company’s approach makes dosing yourself with some cannabis effortless and refreshing. One of these tins contains 50 mints with 5mg of THC per mint— providing you with plenty of options for your desired highness.
linxvapor.com @linx_vapor
stonedwarecompany.com geniuspipe.com @genius_pipe
verdeluxchocolates.com @verdelux502
bastineboutique.com @bastinehempboutique
breezmints.com @Breezmints
H E A LT H
M OR E F OR YO U R M O N E Y LEXARIA HEMP OIL-INFUSED EDIBLES WRITER / JADE GREEN
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PHOTO / PROVIDED BY LEXARIA
N TODAY’S WORLD OF HEMP food technology, one company leads the pack in offering more for your money while doing the body good. Welcome to the world of Lexaria Bioscience. Having just invented a new technology that offers users edibles that really pack a punch, Lexaria Bioscience is saving consumers cash and offering a product that will give competitors a run for their money. “Consumers can eat one-half or one-third the amount of their cannabis medicine through our enhanced food products and get the same result as if they ate more of many other popular brands,” Lexaria CEO Chris Bunka told DOPE. “It saves money and lowers the dosage entering the body, which is really a good thing.” This technology occurs by wrapping the cannabidiol (CBD) or THC molecules in lipids (fatty acids) for enhanced gastrointestinal absorption at up to a five-fold improvement. The patent pending has been tested for time of onset, and has been reported effective in as little as 15 minutes. The product absorbs faster and much more efficiently because the CBD or THC is encapsulated by fat, which is preferentially absorbed by the human GI tract. Who knew? It means less product ingested and less money spent. This clinically tested technology is available in a line of products including ViPova brand coffee, tea, hot chocolate and Lexaria Energy brand protein energy bars so consumers can enjoy healthy cannabinoid-enhanced foods any time of day. Bunka, who resides in British Columbia, Canada, explained the benefits of hemp. Many already know of its naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds, extracted as oil for health benefits. The most abundant cannabinoid, CBD, is anti-inflammatory, anti-psychotic and anti-convulsive in addition to pain and anxiety relieving. “The consensus of thousands of studies on the effects of cannabinoids that are derived from hemp plants, is that CBD—the most prolific ingredient in the hemp extract world—is the primary molecule responsible for the miraculous stories of healing we’ve all encountered in the media,” Bunka added. “Even the U.S. Department of Health, in their patent on cannabinoids, claims that the cannabinoids are a potent anti-inflammatory.” Lexaria uses the finest agriculturally-derived full spectrum hemp oil from EU certified cultivators which is extracted using solvent-free methods. “Full spectrum” allows for the presence of amino acids, fatty acids, carotene and vitamins. Other hemp compounds are present, leading them to all work together synergistically, an important benefit for consumers.
"THE PRODUCT ABSORBS FASTER AND MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY BECAUSE THE CBD OR THC IS ENCAPSULATED BY FAT, WHICH IS PREFERENTIALLY ABSORBED BY THE HUMAN GI TRACT. WHO KNEW? IT MEANS LESS PRODUCT INGESTED AND LESS MONEY SPENT."
The bars are suggested to work best before or after a workout to enhance focus and performance while aiding in the body’s post recovery. The protein energy bar consists of 13g of fiber and 21g of protein, with no added sugar, preservatives or color. It’s a healthy snacking option and has 10mg of cannabidiol. The teas taste great as well. They are offered in six flavors and decaf varieties so the tea can be enjoyed day or night. Although the technology wasn’t designed to enhance flavor, it does “trick” the body’s senses into detecting the fatty acids instead of the cannabinoids within. So these just might be the best tasting edible products on the market. “The products have been tested by third parties with either marijuana extracts or hemp extracts,” Bunka said. “They taste exactly the same with either. That is very cool.” Bunka described his testers’ reactions, “When I meet up with those who enjoy hemp or marijuana-based edibles and give them the protein bar, they take one bite, look at me and say, ‘There’s nothing in here!’ I reply, ‘Yes, there is!’ They cannot believe it because they cannot taste it. And that’s the whole point of our tech—to get your body to absorb the cannabinoids without detecting them.” Decade-old Lexaria has some recent reasons to celebrate. Their technological advantages in the marketplace were evidenced recently in a financial transaction granted to Lexaria by a licensee in Colorado who has agreed to pay up to $1 million in tech licensing fees. The company produces THC chocolates and by using Lexaria technology, they will deliver a superior experience to their customers. Bunka explained of the move, “It took us longer than expected to create brand-new industry-leading paperwork and agreements, but it was worth it: third-party validation that our tech is important enough to pay for. We think this is just the first of many to be announced this year and these will form the foundation for our performance for years to come.” Lexaria is currently in talks with national retail stores about gaining shelf space for their products. Lexaria products are available in about 30 dispensaries in California and online at LexariaEnergy.com.
NEWS
T H E H E M P C O N T ROV E R S Y WRITER / KELLY VO
N
EVER HAS THERE BEEN a more controversial crop than hemp. Arguments against agricultural hemp are tenuous to say the least. Fighting about the legalization of hemp is like fighting about the legality of corn. Industrial hemp has more than 5,000 applications in the textile industry, and another 25,000 uses that include dynamite and cellophane. Not one of those uses includes getting high. The THC levels in industrial hemp are so low (below 1 percent) that no one could get high from smoking it. To be clear, industrial hemp contains cannabinoids such as Tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD and CBN; however, due to man-made limitations, the THC requirements on industrial hemp state that the THC levels be no greater than 0.3 percent. Furthermore, hemp has such high levels of CBD (cannabinoids) that it actually blocks the psychoactive effects. David P. West, Ph.D. for the North American Industrial Hemp Council, expressed that, “Hemp, it turns out, is not only not marijuana, it could be called ‘antimarijuana.’” So what’s the controversy all about?
C O N T ROVE RS I A L ROOT S Hemp is rooted in misinformation, stigma and a confusing history. For medieval Europeans, hemp referred to fiber. In the 1890s, hemp referred only to marijuana-hemp. Then, in the 1930s, the Bureau of Narcotics used hemp to describe all forms of cannabis and it became illegal. The truth is that just like corn is made up of different varieties, “There are three fairly distinct types of hemp: that grown for fiber, that for birdseed and oil, and that for drugs,” Dr. Andrew Wright described in 1918. While hemp is in fact a subset of the species Cannabis Sativa, hemp is not the same thing as cannabis. They are grown differently and harvested at a different time. You wouldn’t want to grow hemp and cannabis at the same time as the occurrence of cross-pollination can and often will reduce the potency of both plants. The good news is that more than two-dozen countries and 29 states have defined industrial hemp as distinct from cannabis and removed its barriers to production, but still, the United States and many constituents remain unconvinced. “We have to get hemp separated from marijuana on the federal level and allow our farmers to grow it across the country,” shared Morris Beegle, Founder and President of the Colorado Hemp Company. “There are tremendous opportunities for a crop that’s been grown for 10,000 years and shunned for the last 75.”
US E S O F H E MP “Most people who support cannabis would support hemp if they were more familiar and educated about all the different things that it can do,” Beegle admitted. The problem is a lack of information. For example, did you know: In the last half of the 19th century, 50 percent of U.S. medicine was made from hemp. Hemp is the strongest natural fiber of any source, and is resistant to rot and abrasion. Hemp fibers are so strong they can be used to make anything from skateboard decks to stealth fighter jet bodies, ship rigging and parachute webbing. Hemp concrete is 1/9 the weight of normal concrete, can be used in home building and works as insulation. “You can make super capacitors, storage devices and plastic out of hemp,” Beegle revealed, “Basically, everything you can make from corn, you can make from hemp, and hemp is a healthier and better crop. All the stuff that’s made from petrochemicals, including oil, can be made with hemp.” Hemp fuel even burns cleaner than other fuels. It only produces energy, water vapor and CO2, which can be absorbed by plants for a sustainable cycle. But hemp isn’t just great for the economy; it’s good for the environment. It can grow nearly anywhere in the world and in many types of soil. Even better, hemp has a short 120-day harvest cycle, does not require pesticides and purifies the soil where it’s planted. “Our commodities market, agricultural-wise, is really tough,” Beegle shared. “Farmers have a hell of a time making money with corn, wheat and hay. However, when you plant hemp, everything from the stocks, flowers, grain and root can be utilized to make things, so farmers can make far more per acre than they can with traditional crops.”
GE T T I N G I N VO LVE D
Colorado Hemp Company started in 2012 and has become a leading organization for the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. They support all things hemp and, each year, they hold the NoCo Hemp Expo, which brings together 130 exhibitors and 70 speakers dedicated to hemp.
You can get involved by reaching out to your legislatures, and don’t forget to check out http://votehemp.com and www.nationalhempassociation.org. As for Beegle, “My number one recommendation is to start buying hemp products. Start allocating some of your monthly income to use on hemp-based products. If you vote with your wallets, that will make a difference.” You can also help by sending your #End420Shame story into DOPE. We’d love to hear from you. Contact us on social media or send an email to kellyv@dopemagazine.com
“MOST PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT CANNABIS WOULD SUPPORT HEMP IF THEY WERE MORE FAMILIAR AND EDUCATED ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT IT CAN DO.” -MORRIS BEEGLE
LIFESTYLE
P O K É M O N GO, P O K É M O N N O TH E CULTU RAL GAME-CHANGER WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY
PHOTO / ELENA SHASHKINA
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VERY NOW AND AGAIN, a game becomes a cultural game-changer. In the case of the Pokémon Go phenomenon, it has officially placed the concept of augmented reality front, center and in the face of our collective consciousness. It is important to note that augmented reality games are far from new. Ingress—the 2012 game that has the same developer as Pokémon Go—is more or less the foundation for this new craze. While Ingress has many devoted followers across the globe, it is the immensity of the Pokémon platform that has placed augmented reality in front of the masses. The theory of augmented reality can be difficult to wrap your head around. In the case of Pokémon Go, this is achieved by revealing a previously unseen layer to the world via your smartphone. Through the lens of your magical handheld device and its associated functionality, everywhere from city streets to iconic landmarks become littered with Pokémon. Now, “catching ‘em all” is a matter of physically tracking the monsters down in this previously unseen world. As the craze continues to unfold, here’s what we’ve seen so far:
Pokémon Go NINTENDO’S STOCK The gaming icon’s stock leveled up in never before seen fashion, to the tune of a 70 percent increase following the game’s release according to BBC. Nintendo’s previous record was achieved in 1989, when the stock rose over 30 percent with the launch of role-playing game Dragon Quest.
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT The physical aspect of getting people up and off the couch reaps benefits ranging from fresh air intake to caloric burn. Many people have made new friends chatting with fellow players, or reinvigorated current relationships with something new to do together.
DOWNLOAD DOMINATION Pokémon Go is the biggest mobile game the United States has ever seen. Statistics also show users spending more time playing Pokémon Go than interacting with any other app, outpacing icons like Facebook and Twitter with daily minute usage.
ENVIRONMENTAL APPRECIATION While “catching ‘em all” may be your biggest motivator, frequenting Pokéstops is also about taking in and appreciating your physical environment. Being present, snapping photos and acknowledging your surroundings is a huge pro to playing Pokémon Go.
LIFESTYLE
Pokémon No POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS There’s a reason the game opens with a disclaimer. So far we’ve seen people get hit by cars, fall off cliffs, get stabbed and robbed. Four teenagers in Britain even got lost in caves, requiring three fire crews, two rope units and a specialist mine rescue team to save them.
PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONING That buzz that alerts you when Pokémon are near doesn’t just have your attention in that moment. For many players lost in the throes of Pokémon Go, you’re waiting for it to buzz—even if you don’t realize it. This can drain and shape your mental energies at the same time.
LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY You don’t get paid to play Pokémon Go. Replacing work duties with wandering around the office will only get you in trouble with your boss and fellow coworkers, while simultaneously dragging down the Wi-Fi. In one instance, a New Zealand man quit his job to hunt Pokémon full-time.
RELATIONSHIP TROUBLES If your significant other isn’t a Pokémon Go player, you are likely screwed—and not in the good way. That unimpressed look in their eye is a glare you may not be able to escape. The choice is yours, but this game has already been a deal breaker for many relationships.
Bottom line, we’ve yet to understand the cultural impact of Pokémon Go, but we can thank it for the way it grabbed our very distracted society’s attention and taught us about a concept that most of us previously didn’t understand. As society basks in the glow of their smartphone with their monster-catching understanding of augmented reality, one can’t help but wonder: When this gets old, what’s next?
T R AV E L
I TA LY I S C R E AT I N G A P O S T- CA P I TA L I S T H E M P U TO P I A SEWING SEEDS OF TRANSFORMATION WRITER & PHOTOS / SESHATA
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N FIELDS ACROSS ITALY, the seeds of fundamental change are being sown—and they quite literally are seeds, hemp seeds. Individually, a hemp grower has little power, but as part of a local hemp-growing collective, that power increases exponentially. Similarly, a sole collective has little influence, but a network of communities working together can garner power on a much greater and more meaningful level. Collective power is exactly what members of Canapa Info Point (CIP) are trying to achieve. They are bringing together local, small-scale hemp producers from across the country to create a nationwide decentralized network—one that is proving to possess a significant political voice. Currently, its members are liaising with scientists, economists and politicians to create legislation that could ultimately see the creation of Spanish-style cannabis social clubs and a regulated med-
ical cannabis market. The Italian state has become increasingly open to medical cannabis in recent years—in fact, the military recently completed its first-ever medical cannabis crop! In addition, CIP provides information to would-be hemp farmers on how to obtain licenses and EU funding. It also runs Saracinesca in Canapa, a one-hectare model field designed to demonstrate hemp agriculture to politicians, farmers and the interested public.1 The field is situated in the small hillside village just outside of Rome. They also have far-reaching plans to set up a bio park and therapeutic village, which upon completion would welcome medical cannabis tourists from around the world. Italy was once known throughout the contemporary world for its fine-quality hemp products. Modern-day producers are keen to revive that legacy. Hemp industry associ-
1) Hectare: a metric unit of square measure, equal to 100 acres
ations are springing up all over the country— in Puglia, Piedmont, Tuscany and Lazio, to name just a few. Up in the northern province of Brescia another hemp association has sprung up. AgriCanapa grows four hectares, and works with farmers growing a further 50 hectares throughout Brescia—partly to address issues of soils contaminated with PCBs. The soil surrounding the perimeter of a local chemical manufacturer Caffaro is among the worst in the world, and 5,000 times the residential safe limit decreed by the government. AgriCanapa produces a wide range of high-quality hemp products including oils, textiles, building materials and some excellent pasta, flour and biscuits. AgriCanapa has plans to set up hemp cooking classes, as well as a number of other services to hemp entrepreneurs. On our visit, president Federico explains
T R AV E L
“THROUGHOUT ITALY, ANOTHER NETWORK IS TAKING SHAPE: A NETWORK THAT CROSSES MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES, AND ALTHOUGH FOCUSED LOCALLY, HAS INTERCONNECTED HUBS IN MOST REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY.”
his organization to us—and it is something truly evolved. When he was setting up AgriCanapa, the banks simply weren’t lending—a result of the global financial crisis of 2008, which crippled small and medium-sized businesses throughout Italy. Getting funding from alternative sources also proved an impossible task. Federico refused to give up hope and instead began to think in terms that bypassed money entirely—and in doing so, he has implemented a business model that could well be described as post-capitalist. Throughout Italy, another network is taking shape: a network that crosses multiple industries, and although focused locally, has interconnected hubs in most regions of the country. Via this network, businesses can exchange resources, products and expertise without using money at all, instead utilizing a system of “link credits” that can be redeemed
by any other member. Via this network, which is called Circuito di Credito Commerciale, Federico was able to access the resources, equipment and expertise he needed to set up his association, without actually using money at all! This kind of evolutionary thinking comes at a time when even the world’s greatest financial institutions are beginning to acknowledge the fact that capitalism is not working. It is failing small businesses, workers and everyday people—everyone who doesn’t have a direct stake in the aggressive corporate system currently dominating the global economy. Furthermore, it is failing to protect the environment, putting life as we know it in jeopardy. Unearthing alternative models to traditional financial institutions is a necessity, and that’s exactly what’s happening right here in these small, rural Italian communities. It’s not a complete replacement for all indus-
tries everywhere, but if we can apply these principles to agriculture at a minimum at least, the world could become a much, much better place. Just as a plant takes time to grow, these ideas will take time to pervade society. This is why the process is perhaps best described as evolution, not revolution—not a sudden, drastic change, but gradual, incremental changes that occur over generations. While these processes may be gradual, our acceptance of them is critical to our ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Change slowly pervades, but as it is often superior to whatever came before, it becomes dominant and paves the way for further change.
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.A. WEEKLY PROFILES KIND FINANCIAL, which developed the Agrisoft software that will be marketed by Microsoft. Following the Microsoft announcement and a separate partnership involving Fortune 500 company Arrow Electronics, Marijuana Business Daily says that the stigma surrounding cannabis is eroding at some mainstream companies.
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HIOANS WILL BE able to possess limited amounts of MED on September 8. It’s not clear where they’ll be legally allowed to obtain it.
W E E D
W E E K
WRITER / ALEX HALPERIN OF WEED WEEK ILLUSTRATOR / JOSH BOULET
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EGALIZATION HAS POPULAR support in Denmark, but the government is cracking down. Last month, police raided the open air cannabis market in Copenhagen’s Christiania neighborhood.
ALIFORNIA’S ADULT USE of Marijuana Act (AUMA) will be on the ballot in November. Supporters have raised more than $3.5 million, far outpacing opponents. Polls indicate that about 60 percent of Californians favor the measure. Mark Kleiman, a policy professor at NYU, called AUMA a, “Horrible, awful, very bad no-good drug policy,” but said he’d vote for it anyway. His primary concern is that it would make marijuana too cheap. He prefers the current policy in Washington D.C. where it’s legal to grow, possess and give it, but not sell it. AUMA is controversial within the industry as well.
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n Mexico, scores of innocent women have been arrested and tortured by security services in order to improve drug arrest statistics, according to Amnesty International.
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OLORADO COMPANIES ARE funding a group called the Colorado Health Research Council to oppose Amendment 139, which would limit the THC potency of cannabis and cannabis products to 16 percent, below the current average for flower and extracts. “The marijuana moguls have said time and time again that the sky is falling every time that someone proposes a change to keep marijuana and marijuana products out of the hands of kids,” said Frank McNulty (R), a former Speaker of the Colorado House, who’s now counsel to the amendment’s backers. “All we’ve seen is their profits skyrocket.” The initiative needs to collect 98,492 signatures to appear on the ballot. Opponents have raised more than $300,000 to fight it.
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N WASHINGTON STATE, the merging of the MED and REC markets took effect and hundreds of MED dispensaries closed. The state’s voluntary database for MED patients is operational.
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ETWORKING COMPANY Women Grow named Maryland-based compliance attorney, Leah Heise, as its new CEO. Started in 2014, the organization has more than three dozen chapters in the United States and Canada. Founders Jane West and Jazmin Hupp are stepping down from their executive roles.
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N DENVER, Starbuds became the first company to be denied a cultivation license renewal. Starbuds plans to appeal the decision.
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S WEED OREGON’S most valuable crop? The federal Department of Agriculture has decided to ignore the question.
TH E 2 N D A N N UA L D O P E C U P I S CO M I N G . . . THE BIGGEST CANNABIS COMPETITION IN OREGON IS BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR
10. 30. 2016 Your expectations will be blown away with a bigger production, world-class entertainment and the most reďŹ ned competition component ever.
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O N E N T E R I N G T H E D O P E C U P G O TO D O P E C U P O R . D O P E M AG A Z I N E .CO M
THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE LEGALIZED CANNABIS INDUSTRY HAS MADE IT ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SECTORS OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING NEARLY EVERY INDUSTRY.
CWCBEXPO 2016
LOS ANGELES - LA CONVENTION CENTER
SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2016
The cannabis industry’s top brands and thought-leaders will be at the premier show in the cannabis industry that
focuses on investment, entrepreneurship, cannabis business owners, business
services and future industry growth. Will you be there?
The CWCBExpo is the leading forum for: Dispensary Owners, Growers, Suppliers, Investors, Medical Professionals, Government Regulators, Legal Counsel & Entrepreneurs VISIT
WWW.CANNABISMEANSBUSINESS.COM TO REGISTER
EDUCATION Learn how to navigate regulatory, legal, financial and logistical challenges. DISCOVERY Explore the technology and services that are revolutionizing the cannabis industry. NETWORKING Meet face-to-face with the top manufacturers and innovators in the industry. GROWTH Gather the keys that you will need to profit in the cannabis industry.
gofundme.com/keephempfestalive
KEEP SEATTLE
HEMPFEST
ALIVE
Seattle HEMPFEST is the very first non-profit “protestival” of it’s kind that advocates cannabis policy reform and deschedulization. Now in it’s 25th year, due to lack of donations from the community and attendees, the event’s existence is threatened. Our mission is to Keep Hempfest Alive for future generations to experience. Please DONATE NOW!
• $5-$74 donor to receive name posted as a contributor at the Dope Magazine booth at Seattle HEMPFEST! • $75 donor to receive an official Seattle HEMPFEST Poster, printed on hemp paper! • $150 donor to receive an official Seattle HEMPFEST T-shirt. • $300 donor to receive a VIP ticket to Dope Magazine’s VIP Afterparty Event to be held on Sunday, August 21. * Please see all disclaimers on gofundme.com
Seattle HEMPFEST August 19-21, 2016 hempfest.org
WRITER / SCOTT PEARSE
PHOTO / ROLLAND GREEN
Explore the journey on Instagram at @DOPEbicycletour or at the DOPE Bicycle Tour blog www.dopemagazine.com/ dopebicycletour/.
EXPLORING CANNABIS CULTU RE ON AMERICA’S GREENEST COAST
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HE IDEA WAS STRAIGHTFORWARD enough: cycle from Seattle to Los Angeles while exploring cannabis culture. What we’d actually find out in the field was unknown. Opportunities arose as we spread our networks and met new people from one region to the next. The news that some idiots were cycling down the West Coast looking for weed stories intrigued enough people in the right places. We were able to visit grows and farms in Olympia, Humboldt County and Santa Cruz; we slept at several bud and breakfasts; and I met people who’ve been in the industry for decades but only now feel comfortable talking to the media. It is a really exciting time in cannabis, everything is changing and will continue changing for the foreseeable future. The DOPE Bicycle Tour attempted to catch a moment in time in the cannabis community, and covered 1442 miles and climbed over 50,000 feet in 42 days. My body hurts. I’m tired. I’d do it again. I didn’t expect to literally find a pot shop when I said I was going looking for pot shops.
SAID ON TOU R ON CAMPING... My reality right now is that I’m really good at changing out of shorts and into pants while standing in dirt. ON PASSING TIME WHILE CYCLING... It’s like screaming into eternity and waiting for a reply. ON UNEXPECTED CLIMBING... When is this downhill going to quit being uphill? ON MY CHOICE OF HASHTAG.... #highroller? More like #bonklord. ON SELF-REFLECTION.... Us DOPE boys are like the Cadillacs of the champagne of beers. ON PODCASTS VS. MUSIC... One man’s James Brown is another man’s Alec Baldwin. We visited recreational stores and dispensaries of all shapes and sizes, but La Cannaisseur outside of Portland was a favorite.
WHILE HAVING STONED THOUGHTS... Would you weigh more if the earth wasn’t spinning?
Mastering cycle touring is to master the art of packing. After three rounds of “what don’t I need?” this is everything that I carried on the tour.
Traveling by bicycle within the cannabis community hit a high note with a stay at Ginger and Brigham’s North Fork 53. It’s inspiring to see dedication and hard work bring something so vital into full-blown life.
The team at Emerald Family Farms under the hoops and surrounded by OG.
It’s strange how it never enters your mind during a tour that you might not make it. Suddenly you’re at the end and you think, I can’t believe I just did that.
SOCIAL MEDIA
TAG : @ DO P E M AGA Z I N E T
HE SUMMER MONTHS are known for being scorchers, especially when you find yourself running into straight fire photos such as these. Many thanks to all the photographers that captured these shots and tagged @dopemagazine!
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STRAIN
O G B U D D H A TA H O E AN O CE AN OF TR ANQUILITY WRITER / BRIAN GONCUS
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
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HAD THE PLEASURE of enjoying this fine, purpled strain one evening after a long day. Upon opening the packaging, a subtle fragrance of pine and fresh linen escaped into the air. Each hit tasted as clean as the previous, with that classic hash flavor many marijuana enthusiasts have come to love. The extremely calming effects of this strain soothed the anxieties of my day away as I relaxed. Wasted thoughts and worries about the upcoming day slowly faded away, allowing me to enjoy my night in peace.
17.47 THC TESTED AT: TRACE ANALYTICS traceanalytics.com
AVAILABLE AT SATIVA SISTERS 10525 E TRENT AVE SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206 SATORI 9301 N DIVISION ST SPOKANE, WA 99218 AND OTHER RETAILERS
PROVIDED BY BANG’S CANNABIS CO.
Clean and tasty hits the whole way through
Soothed the anxieties of daily life while removing wasted thoughts from the mind
Great sleep aid for nighttime smokers
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1305 S Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99224 | 509.474.1050 “AT THE CORNER OF HAYFORD RD AND HWY 2, ATTACHED TO EXXON STATION”
NOW ACCEPTING credit and debit cards This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.
EDIBLE
C R AS H K RO N I C TO N I C S LE EP IN A BOTTLE WRITER / BRIAN GONCUS
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
I
OFTEN FIND MYSELF desiring the various effects that cannabis provides, without having to smoke. Lucky for me and like-minded people, Henderson has stepped up to the occasion, offering an array of tinctures to suit any palate. There are times I have difficulty sleeping, so I decided to give their “Crash” Kronic Tonic a whirl to see how it faired. The taste is agreeable and pairs well with nearly any beverage. I found myself gently lulled into a dreamy and pleasant state of drowsiness in about 20 minutes; within half an hour, I was asleep.
15G 8 S E RV I N G S AVAILABLE AT Mixes well with many beverages without a strong cannabis or earthy taste
THE TREEHOUSE CLUB 14421 E TRENT AVE SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99216 SATIVA SISTERS 10525 E TRENT AVE
Array of genetic backgrounds that provide differing highs
SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206 AND OTHER RETAILERS
Smooth transition between wakefulness, drowsiness and sleep
PRODUCED BY HENDERSON DISTRIBUTION
DROP, SIP, SHARE.
Like all Ethos products, our beverage concentrates are made using only sun grown, pesticide free, full-flower cannabis. Our Water-based tinctures can be placed under the tongue or dissolved into any liquid. They have no added sugar, flavorings, colors turning any beverage into a delicious cannabis cocktail.
Canna-Hito
Muddle 5 mint leaves, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 2 ice cubes in a glass. Add sparkling water and extra ice to fill glass. Add beverage concentrate to your desired strength (5mg THC or CBD per dropper), stir, !
enjoy
Cannabis Party Punch Mix one bottle of beverage concentrate with 10 cups sparkling water and 10 cups of your favorite juice(s). Each cup contains 5mg THC (or CBD respectively), 20 cups total. !
enjoy
This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
C O N C E N T R AT E
B L AC K D I AM O N D C O N C E N T R AT E B LACK DIAMOND IN THE ROOTS WRITER / BRIAN GONCUS
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
F
IRST THINGS FIRST–stock up on groceries before breaking up this crumble courtesy of Blue Roots. If you’re like me, and always give your product a whiff before igniting, you will notice the sweet, fruity aromas that pierce through this crumble’s floral bouquet. The taste is smooth and light, with pleasant hits of blackberry; and while the overall effects hit quickly, they were relaxing and mellow without inducing couchlock. The appetite stimulating effects of the Black Diamond flower are preserved and multiplied by this concentrate. After a few munchies, you will be ready for the sweet relief of a good night’s sleep..
74.28 THC TESTED AT: TRACE ANALYTICS traceanalytics.com
AVAILABLE AT THE TREEHOUSE CLUB 14421 E TRENT AVE SPOKANE VALLEY, WA. 99216 THE TOP SHELF 1305 S HAYFORD RD AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA. 99224 AND OTHER RETAILERS
Great for appetite stimulation
Quick-hitting, but not overwhelming
Relaxing body high without couchlock
TRAIL BLAZERS Cannabis was first used thousands of
be ready with dawgstar cannabis
camp checklist
years ago as a medicine by the ancient Egyptians, who believed their gods came from the brightest star in the sky. They called this The Dog Star. Today we know that its actually two stars, Sirius A and B. According to the legend, a magical plant was brought down from these stars as a gift to mankind. It is believed this is the story of how cannabis got its name. Canna meaning “dog” and bis meaning “two”, the two Dawg Stars. Now thousands of years later Dawg Star will once again share cannabis with the world.
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MIND
A CREATIVE SATIVA
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available at the following locations: #Hashtag 2020 Solutions 25 Tree’s 420 Spot Shop Bud Nation Buds Garage Buds SOS Cannabis City Cascade Herb Company Clutch Fweedom
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Nature’s Gifts Paper & Leaf Queen Anne Cannabis Rainier on Pine Root Cellar Ruckus Sativa Sisters Satori Sea Change Cannabis Seattle Cannabis Co Seattle Tree’s Collective
Smokane Smuggler Brothers Sparket Star International THC of Olympia The Ever Green Market The Greenseed The Kushery Theorem Token Herb West Coast Wellness Whidbey Island Cannabis Co
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PACK
HYBRID cannabis strains provide the best of both worlds. Expert breeders select the top sativa and indica strains and combine them into super strains that maintain the best aspects from both parents. Depending on the hybrid you pick it will put you into the perfect mood!
COMPASS
LANTERN
mind SATIVA plants can grow upwards of 25 feet tall but most stay under 12 feet. Light green leaves that are long and thin, the stereotypical marijuana icon. The high from sativa strains are more cerebral, often described as energetic and best for daytime use.
Body
KNIFE
INDICA plants are short, usually under six feet, and have fat deep green leaves. The high from a quality indica strain leaves you relaxed and social. The stronger varieties will numb your body and put you to sleep. Great for relaxation, stress relief, and “couchlock”.
BOOTS
MAP
MUG
POWERED BY
dawgstar.com This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty‑one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
S TO R E
LUCKY LEAF WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU R NAME WRITER / BRIAN GONCUS
THE PLACE
Built in 1907, the historical building known as Commercial Block is now home to Lucky Leaf and only a short walk from the historic Browne’s Addition. Showing true support for the community, Lucky Leaf has decided to beautify the area by restoring the building to its original colors, as well as participating in Spokane’s First Fridays by hosting a variety of rotating art pieces. The paintings are the first thing you notice upon entering—the space is reminiscent of a well-designed urban art gallery.
1111 W 1ST AVE SPOKANE, WA 99302 (509) 474-9616 HOURS: MON–THU: 9AM–10PM FRI-SAT: 9AM–11PM SUN: 9AM–6PM LUCKYLEAF.CO
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
THE PEOPLE
“Brian!” all the budtenders yell in genuine excitement as one of their regulars, a military veteran who uses cannabis for pain relief, walks through the front door. “They are the best. Best service, best prices and they always have a big smile on their faces,” Brian shared with me after I asked why he prefers Lucky Leaf to other recreational stores. I can see why this place is popular among regulars, but even a first-timer like me was greeted like a regular when I walked through the door. Not long after I arrived, we were all laughing and joking like old friends.
“THEY ARE THE BEST. BEST SERVICE, BEST PRICES, AND THEY ALWAYS HAVE A BIG SMILE ON THEIR FACE.” -BRIAN, LUCKY LEAF CUSTOMER
THE HISTORY The controversy surrounding the legalization of recreational cannabis has not subsided despite the passage of I-502 in 2012. As you may know, local authorities still maintain the right to place bans and moratoriums upon cannabis production and distribution. This is what led Lucky Leaf to open their doors in Spokane. “The ban was why we moved here from Pasco. We were open for three weeks and they shut us down,” explained store owner, Shilo Morgan. Lucky for Spokane, they decided to open up shop in this I-502-friendly environment.
Must be 21 years or older to enter
At MJ’s we strive to create a friendly, professional environment for all of our customers Let our warm and knowledgeable staff help you find the right product for you Open Monday-Saturday 10am - 8pm Sunday 12pm-5pm Check out our weekly specials! mjspotshoppullman.com
• Sativas • Indicas • Concentrates • Edibles • Topicals • Paraphernalia
1335 SE Bishop Blvd, Pullman, WA 99163 (509) 332-5203
GARDEN
N U GR E E N THE HEART OF SPOKANE WRITER / ERIC SKAAR
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NEW INDUSTRY. A new way to generate income. A new form of environmentally conscious business. NuGreen. The only grow located in downtown Spokane, NuGreen is one of the original I-502 grows. They were one of the very first licensed facilities in the state and the first in Spokane to have a Certificate of Occupancy. This is evident in their grow, and I mean that in the best way possible. Many of the original grows weren’t properly prepared for inspections and had difficulty interpreting the laws surrounding the fledgling industry. NuGreen took to the ground running—this is the only grow I have been to with a built-in fire suppression system. This level of commitment to the operation, and willingness to go above and beyond expectations is a testament to NuGreen’s level of commitment. They treat their plants and extractions with the same level of due diligence. For instance, they tried a variety of different cloning systems and wound up, time and time again, disappointed. So what did Dean Anderson, their master grower and grow architect do? He designed and built his own. NuGreen is a Tier II grower that has maxed out their facility; they grow in soil and fertilize with organic nutrients. They use a Triminator for the initial wet trim, but then go through each bud for a meticulous hand-trimming after the drying process. CO2 extraction within the facility is taken just as seriously. The prefilled CO2 cartridges they produce are some of the best I have tried. NuGreen’s NuVape line also has the lowest failure rate of the cartridges that I’ve seen. As Dean put it, “We knew we had the best technology for extracting.” He wasn’t kidding. Between their strong line of genetics (be sure to try their Shiatsu) and NuVape cartridges, NuGreen is an industry leader in quality.
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
“WE KNEW WE HAD THE BEST TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTRACTING.” -DEAN ANDERSON, NUGREEN MASTER GROWER
Does smoking marijuana or eating edibles make you anxious? Kronic Tonic Tincture enables you to enjoy marijuana discreetly and easily customize your dose from a mellow buzz to an euphoric high. With eight varieties containing up to 100mg THC per bottle we offer a blend and strength for every individual. Exceptional high quality products in a wide range of tastes.
3 great locations! Wenatchee 1210 North Wenatchee Ave Phone: 509.888.7957 Inside the Harle Center, Suite J near The Gorge, Lake Chelan, Mission Ridge and near the heart of Downtown Wenatchee
Cashmere
East Wenatchee
5736 Vale Road Phone: 509.888.2454
50 Rock Island Road Phone: 509.888.1597
Cashmere Washington off Hwy 2 near Leavenworth & Lake Chelan
East Wenatchee Washington off Hwy 28 near The Gorge, Mission Ridge & Lake Chelan
3 grams of wax Dab Dude $100
$5 Friday make a $10 purchase, and add $5 joints
mix & match
$150 ounces
3 grams $20 select strains
TAX ALWAYS INCLUDED Facebook: TheShoppe Twitter: THCshoppe502 Instagram: TheShoppe_509 Our products have intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of these products. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
BUSINESS
PIECE OF MIND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMU NITY WRITER / JADE GREEN
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
IN THE BEGINNING
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EARLY 20 YEARS AGO, Justin Wilson opened a small glass shop in the Spokane Valley of Eastern Washington. It had a small inventory of pipes and bongs, and a green vinyl couch by the front door. Justin slept on that couch until Piece of Mind took off, and in 2000, a second Piece of Mind location opened in North Spokane. There are now 12 Piece of Mind glass shops located across the United States in Washington, Alaska, Montana, Oregon and California. Piece of Mind stores feature innovative, functional American glass art ranging in price from ten dollars to thousands. These seriously cool smoke shops feature functional art pieces from the country’s finest glass artists including Buck, Scott Deppe and Robert Mickleson.
WEBSITE: PIECEOFMIND.NET INSTAGRAM: @PIECEOFMIND_SPOKANE
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THE EVERGREEN STATE PROJECT (ESP) In 2012, Justin founded ESP in an effort to involve his businesses and staff in the local community by giving back to those in need. ESP’s mission is to unite the artistic glass and cannabis communities through events that showcase talent across the Pacific Northwest. ESP has raised over $20,000 and has invested that money back into their community by donating to beneficiaries such as Holy Family Pediatrics and ER, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Agape Women and Children’s Shelter and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. One of ESP’s most successful and fun events that brings community members together is the BoroDerby. The brainchild of Spokane glass artist Brandon Welk, the BoroDerby is a charity event which brings together borosilicate glass artists to create derby-style smokable glass cars! The 2016 BoroDerby will be held at Domer’s Studio in Spokane from September 30 to October 2. The borosilicate glass artists featured in the BoroDerby build a car and race it down an official Boy Scouts of America pinewood derby track. The cars are then auctioned off and the proceeds are donated to ESP beneficiaries. This year at the BoroDerby, glassblowers will be divided into teams of two to test their skills. Building their cars over the first two days, the final day will see the blowers’ vehicles race down the derby track. Glass artists from across the United States will be at the event, but vehicle entries are also accepted via mail—there is even a ‘Fly In’ category available for artists who can’t make it to the event but wish to donate a piece of art for the charity auction.
COMMUNITY LOVE AND VALUES While Piece of Mind is invested in the American glass art community and the local community at large, the business could not exist without the love, care and passion provided by the Piece of Mind family. Consisting of about 70 staff members, the Piece of Mind family spreads across 12 stores and one other location, known as ‘HeadyQuarters.’ This family of glass enthusiasts is dedicated to the industry they work in. Piece of Mind has ‘family members’ who have been with the company upwards of ten years; this is a company you want to work for forever. “We strive to love everybody and always lend a helping hand. I’ve never been a part of a team that has so much passion for the glass industry and their job. Not only does POM have an amazing work environment, but it’s an actual career opportunity,” one employee expressed. I talked with Ashley, one of Piece of Mind’s upper echelon. She started working for the company less than three years ago and has moved up the ladder from sales associate to regional manager quickly. She knew she wanted to be a part of the Piece of Mind team from her third day on the job; as a mother of young boys, Ashley is appreciative and grateful of the team she is charged with alongside her colleague, Lauren. “I love being able to work so closely with the owner of the company I work for, not many people get the opportunity to be on the front lines of helping a business be successful and grow,” Lauren shared.
“WE STRIVE TO LOVE EVERYBODY AND ALWAYS LEND A HELPING HAND. I’VE NEVER BEEN A PART OF A TEAM THAT HAS SO MUCH PASSION FOR THE GLASS INDUSTRY AND THEIR JOB. NOT ONLY DOES POM HAVE AN AMAZING WORK ENVIRONMENT, BUT IT’S AN ACTUAL CAREER OPPORTUNITY.” -PIECE OF MIND EMPLOYEE
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NEWS
YO U R B U DT E N D E R, YO U R B U D, YO U R B U D DY KINDNESS AND KIND CANNABIS SORT OF RHYME, AN INFORMAL LETTER TO THE CONSUMER WRITER / J.F.S. WILHELM
S
KILLFUL BUDTENDERS ARE OFTEN individuals most reverent to the plant, treating it with respect and fostering, in kind, a respect for the consumer. It is partially the budtender’s insight that guarantees an exceptional high, but more importantly, it is the consumer’s ability to accurately convey their needs that allows the budtender to produce the desired results. As a former budtender, I’d like to share some of my insight that should help you get the most out of your budtender the next time you head to the dispensary. But first, let’s define the ideal budtender. This budtender is kind, attentive, empathetic and more than anything, knowledgeable. A good budtender educates first and sells second, ensuring that the consumer gets the buzz they are look-
Be nice. We see a whole circus of people every day and the nice ones get more out of us. This might sound like your mother’s dispensary advice, but you should listen to her. We treat your nice mom very well.
Cannabis is diverse. On this side of the counter we have weed wunderkinds, dabbing geniuses, 500mg edible juggernauts and flower children who have devoted their lives to understanding the complexity of this plant. Do not underestimate the knowledge they can drop on you. To wit, ask a question or two. Your budtender might not always have the spare time to give you a lecture on Terpenes 101, but again, a good budtender will educate you. Ask questions like: (a) I enjoy fruity (skunky, diesel, floral, etc.) smells. What buds taste/smell like that? (b) I’d like to have a toke-and-go (insert activity here.) What herb would you recommend? (c) What are you smoking this week or what is the house favorite right now? The final two questions are especially useful if you’ve been following the first point. A budtender is more likely to hook you up with the dank chronic that the weed snobs are smoking if you are polite. In my experience, the most expensive herb doesn’t always denote the best. There are a lot of talented growers and a lot of diamonds in the rough. Plus, since these marketplaces are localized, many budtenders develop first name basis relationships with growers, and through these industry connections, budtenders get plugged into the hot strains that might otherwise fly under the radar.
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ing for. They aim to help consumers understand and respect the substance they are readily putting into their body. Simple enough. Be nice, be knowledge. But you, the consumer, are also a factor in this social equation. Consider doing a few things before you belly-up to the bar and blurt out, “What’s the highest THC?” Because truthfully, that is a terrible sentence that doesn’t make you sound like you care about your weed, you just want to get loaded. We get it. There is nothing wrong with having a good time and getting blitzed, but cannabis has so much more to offer and a great budtender takes the time to educate. So slow your roll, put your cell phone away and let’s have a real conversation about how you’d like to feel about how you feel today.
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“EDUCATION IS NOT PREPARATION FOR LIFE; EDUCATION IS LIFE ITSELF.” -JOHN DEWEY
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Step out of your comfort zone from time to time. One of the neat parts about recreational cannabis is its place as an alternative to so many things. Be bold, ask your budtender about cannabis lube or if you’ve never tried CBD—a hangover godsend—give it a go. Edibles can also be intimidating without the proper knowledge, so get informed and drink some weed soda. These experiences will expand your cannabis repertoire, and you might even discover a strain or delivery method that works well with your own endocannabinoid system. Understand that the cannabis industry is constantly changing: rules and regulations, growing methods, strains and hybrid crosses, concentrate extraction methods and so on. Obviously, if this type of knowledge is meaningful to you, ask about it. But if you’d just like to know the best new indica-dominant hybrid and not about new LED growing methods or their effects on trichome production, then just politely decline the insight and get on with it. Good budtenders are good listeners, and when applicable, are absolutely earnest. Know that the perception of recreational cannabis begins at the store with your budtender, but ends with you. Know that when you leave the store and light up in the parking lot, it makes everyone look bad. Be respectful, be discrete. You blatantly flaunting your 1.3g joint isn’t going to suddenly evangelize passing pedestrians into thinking cannabis is cool. In fact, the opposite is likely happening. Budtenders devote themselves to their work because they want to create a better world through cannabis. And undoubtedly, if you are not part of improving the perception of recreational cannabis through your smoking etiquette, you are the unwashed sector of an industry trying to get clean.
These are just a few suggestions on how to conduct yourself in order to communicate better with your budtender. The dispensary is a forum for sharing a passion and a purpose, even if that purpose is simply to alter your mind. Why not change your way of thinking? Isn’t that also what the cannabis industry is doing? A plant that was once demonized has more social currency than ever before. It’s changing our lives.
A RT I C L E T I T L E
INTERCHANGE
FALL 1̔ 6
November 9-10, 2016 • Renton Pavilion • Renton, WA Interchange Spring 2016 was a huge success! Millions of dollars in sales were made or committed to. The November event will be bigger and feature over 50 retail stores and buyers. Interchange is not just another trade show, it is a buy/sell event for the legal marijuana industry where buyers meet with new vendors and do business! • 50 plus licensed retail stores
• The biggest legal marijuana market in the world • Industry only. Open to retailers, processors, growers/vendors and jobbers • Each vendor participant gets two days of private one-on-one meetings with buyers
• Limited to 60 vendors. Don’t miss out this time!
“I have to say that this was the single best investment since entering the business three years ago.”
“I did six months of meetings in two days.”
– Ian Eisenberg, Uncle Ike’s Pot Shop, Seattle
– Greg Walters, Potshotz, Seattle
For information or to sign up: Marijuana Venture: 425-656-3621 or greg@marijuanaventure.com
A RT
CA N NA B I S A N D C R E AT I V I T Y CLEARING THE SMOKESCREEN WRITER / ALEX JULIANO
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E’VE ALL HEARD IT BEFORE: “When I’m high, I’m more creative.” But what does that really mean? Many people express that using herb enhances their creativity, but they rarely elaborate further. My experience has been that it’s an unwritten rule amongst us who use the plant—if it works for whatever it is you got, you should use it. We don’t really question each other’s reasons for smoking, although we may discuss what we all love about the effects. That’s why I wanted to dive deeper into this perceived relationship between cannabis and creativity. What does it really mean for someone when they smoke? Is their creativity somehow ‘enhanced?’ Is this a real effect, or just something we’ve come to accept? Local Seattle graffiti artist, Tony aka Adrenalyn, once thought that smoking before painting a mural improved his ability to craft a polished piece. When asked if he was familiar with the opinion that cannabis can enhance creativity, he replied, “Most definitely, and I’ll tell you straight up that it is not true. I’ve done pieces high and sober, I noticed my output was the same.” Throughout the interview, Tony expressed that he felt artists should master their craft before using weed to be more creative. “A lot of artists might be reading this, and I want them to know that you don’t need weed to be creative. It’s fun when you’re doing (your art), but from a competitor, always think about the craft first.” Though I appreciated his perspective, I still wanted to know more. There are some artists who feel they need to be high to be their most creative selves. I wanted to get insight into what barriers existed, if any, between sober states of mind and creativity. When I asked Seattle-based rapper and spoken word artist, Milu Yewondwossen, why he gets high before creating, he had an interesting response, “Every time I want to write something new, I smoke and it helps my mind wander and get creative. I want to jump from one subject to another and make new connections between my thoughts.”
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While Tony was confident that the key to creativity was mastering one’s craft, Milu was intentionally using the psychoactive ingredients in cannabis to achieve a state of mind he described as “wandering” and even “manic.” I imagine that our everyday thoughts usually occur within the boundaries of what we see in front of us. Milu however, identified that his mind did not follow the same patterns as when he was working or running errands. He finds himself able to see things differently and make connections between ideas that he may find illogical when sober. My final interviewee, Bobbin, local b-boy and designer, had more to say about how cannabis sparks his creativity. “I see the world differently when I’m high. Even when I do my same routine, I pick up on subtle differences. Moderation is key, and when I smoke I specifically try to gather new ideas and look at things from different perspectives,” he shared. Bobbin’s opinion on how herb affects his creative process seemed to mirror that of Milu’s, although he said something specific about how he keeps himself accountable when creating new designs or dancing. “I smoke with a mission, and I hold myself to taking my new ideas and refining them. I might think of a million things, but if you don’t take those ideas and make them into something, you aren’t actually creating.” The relationship between cannabis and creativity still isn’t perfectly clear, but maybe a little less hazy. Smoking might help generate new ideas, but that does not negate the importance of mastering a craft. If we utilize being high to think of new ideas, we must also be disciplined enough to hone and refine those ideas into something tangible–otherwise, as Bobbin said, “you aren’t actually creating.”
“I SMOKE WITH A MISSION, AND I HOLD MYSELF TO TAKING MY NEW IDEAS AND REFINING THEM. I MIGHT THINK OF A MILLION THINGS, BUT IF YOU DON’T TAKE THOSE IDEAS AND MAKE THEM INTO SOMETHING, YOU AREN’T ACTUALLY CREATING.” -BOBBIN
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H E A LT H
HEMP SEEDS THE SEED THAT KEEPS ON GIVING WRITER / NICK HAYASHI
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PHOTO / CHRIS RYAN
H E A LT H
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TREND IS GROWING in today’s marketplace, literally. Vast numbers of people are out there searching high and low for the best, most nutritious foods to fuel their bodies. Nobody wants to put watered down gas in their car. Should our bodies be any different? We buy supplements like protein powders, shakes and pills to help supply us with the proper nutrients to maintain peak performance. The term superfood is often used as a descriptor for hemp seeds. ‘Superfood’ has come to be associated with nutrient rich, whole foods that may provide unique benefits to human health. Hemp seed fits the bill. Hemp seeds come from a variety of cannabis plants. Hemp seed cultivators use cannabis strains with THC levels below 0.3 percent. The only euphoric feeling you will get from hemp seeds is a nutritional one. For 3000 years mankind has been using this seed for its nutrient-rich values. Found in food and medicine from around the world, these seeds live up to the superfood name. A serving size, roughly three tablespoons, yields ten grams of protein. More protein than any other seed, plus 14 grams of a power blend of omega-3
and omega-6 fats, fiber and magnesium. Each 165-calorie serving contains three-quarters of your daily recommended vitamin E and almost one-third of the recommended immune-boosting mineral, zinc. What a great source of energy to get us through the day. Hemp seeds come in two different varieties, shelled seeds and hulled seeds, sometimes referred to as ‘hearts,’ which can be found at your nearest grocery store in the bean and grain section. I had the chance to craft a few dishes in my kitchen that used hemp seeds as an ingredient. Generally starting my day with a nice protein shake, I decided to substitute my usual protein powder with hemp seeds. To my surprise, the seeds gave it a nice flavor while providing me with a full load of protein. The number of recipes available that call for hemp seeds are limitless. I whipped up an incredibly simple pesto dish; blending basil, lime juice, garlic, black pepper, salt and olive oil in my food processor on high. After fully blended, I added the hemp seeds to the pesto and blended on low for a few seconds—just long enough to fold in the seeds and give the pesto a nice crunch. Served over noodles, the dish was a delight.
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INGREDIENTS 3 C. BASIL (PACKED) 3/4 C. RAW HEMP SEEDS (SHELLED) 2 TBSP. LIME JUICE 4 CLOVES OF GARLIC (MINCED) 1/4 TBSP. BLACK PEPPER 1/2 TSP. SALT 3/4 C. OLIVE OIL
PRODUCT
L I L AC C I T Y GA R D E N S’ OR A N GE B LO S S O M J O I N T A S IMPLE JOINT DONE R IGHT WRITER / ERIC SKAAR
PHOTO / EMILY NICHOLS
A
S FAR AS I’M CONCERNED, Lilac City Gardens can do no wrong. They surpass my expectations time and time again. Every time I walk through their doors I am greeted with improvement. Whether it’s the quality, packaging or genetics, I’m always blown away. No matter the change or innovation, their standards are always rising. Given the chance to evaluate one of their joints, I jumped on it. I have evaluated countless joints, and before, during and after partaking I ask myself: What is the input material? How does it taste? What type of paper? Is it rolled too tight or too loose? Is it hard to hit? Does it stay lit? Does it run? Do I need to smoke another one? Would I want to smoke another one? The input material is all bud, no sugar leaf or trim. The taste was excellent, every hit was full of the citrus sweet flavor that is characteristically Orange Blossom. The paper is RAW, unbleached and was rolled not too tight or too loose, just right. It was easy to hit, did not need to be relit and did not run. I was quite happy with the high from smoking one joint and would definitely smoke another. So please, do yourself a favor and pick up a Lilac City Garden pre-roll. I’m partial to the Orange Blossom and Sour Berry, but whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed.
All bud is naturally grown and pesticide-free
Stellar presentation, the joint is packaged in a dube tube and rolled in all-natural paper
PRICE $10.00 - 1G JOINT
Delicious to the very end
Lilac City Gardens is located in Airway Heights, just west of Spokane. They are an allnatural, pesticide-free Tier II grower. To learn more about them, check out their write up in the June issue of DOPE.
THE 5TH ANNUAL
DOPE HUNT @ SEATTLE HEMPFEST
Come to the DOPE Magazine Booth to pick up your game piece to win prizes from DOPE!
Booth #546 (just north of the Main Stage)
PRODUCT
M I X U P A R E C H A RGE F RO M FA I RW I N D S THE S E ATTLE SPEEDBALL VERSION 2.0 WRITER / AARON MILLER
PHOTO / TINA BALLEW
S
IMPLE AND EFFECTIVE, Fairwinds’ new Ready to Mix Recharge provides a pleasantly stimulating experience in a conveniently small package. Using a powdered cannabis extract, Fairwinds replicates your favorite sports drink with a combo punch of THC, CBD and green tea extract. The sweet berry flavor neutralizes a cannabis aftertaste and is great in my morning smoothies. Living up to the name, Recharge offers a subtle uplifting buzz without the jitters that many energy drinks induce. It provides a perfect high in the back of my mind that allows for full concentration.
Green tea not only energizes, it aids focus
Recharge boosts your brain with vitamins C, D and B12s
When THC and CBD are combined, the CBD can extend the effects of the THC and also prevent the psychoactive high from being too overwhelming.
Fairwinds uses their powdered cannabis with a popular line of THC and CBD capsules
AVAILABLE AT SATORI 9301 N DIVISION ST SPOKANE, WA 99218 GREEN LIGHT 10309 E TRENT AVE SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206 AND OTHER RETAILERS INSTAGRAM: @FAIRWINDSMFG WEBSITE: FAIRWINDSCANNABIS.COM
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DOPE PREMIUM BR ANDS ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE T HE A LL NE W
D OPE N ™ CLE AR CONCE N T R AT E T ER PEN E R I C H - N OT H I N G A R T I F I C I A L - H I G H T H C
GET THE BR AND NEW DOPEN ™ CARTRIDGES AT YOUR FAVORITE RECREATIONAL STORES T H E P E R FE C T M AT C H T O YO U R D O P E N VA P O R I Z E R TO GET DOPE BRANDS IN YOUR STORE EMAIL INFO@WEWANTDOPE.COM #WEWANTDOPE
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STRAIN SPECIFIC AT 75% THC FRUIT TERPENES AT 60% THC CLEAR CONCENTRATES
CANNAROMA.COM
WARNING: This product is unlawful outside of Washington State. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. This product should not be used by women that are pregnant or breastfeeding. For use of adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.
A RT I C L E T I T L E
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(509) 315-5501 | 6515 E. SpraguE avE., SpokanE vallEy, Wa (located right off the 90 freeWaY, exit 285 eastbound / 286 Westbound)
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ENJOY SIMPLE, EASY SUCCESS
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