Dope Magazine - April 2016 - The 4/20 Issue - Southern California by DOPE Magazine

THE FOUR TWENTY ISSUE

APRIL 2016

SOCAL

STRAIN

EDIBLE

T I TA N O G

MEDIZEN

C O N C E N T R AT E

D E L I VE RY S E RV I C E

C H I Q U I TA B A N A N A

H I P J OY N T

AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL

ROAD TRIP LOS ANGELES HEALING THE CITY OF ANGELS

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I N S TAG R A M

DAV I D T R A N CEO

TWITTER

N AT H A N C H R Y S L E R Business Development

E VA N C A RT E R President

T R E K H O L L N AG E L Strategic Advisor

J A M E S Z AC H O D N I @james_zachodni Editor-in-Chief / CBO

STEVE DELIMA Financial Controller

DAV I D PA L E S C H U C K VP, Licensing & Brand Partnerships B R A N D O N PA L M A @ b ra n d o n p a l m a Art Director J A N D O M AC E N A @ t h i rd o p t i c Graphic Designer A B I GA I L RO S S @ a b i g a i l e ro s s National Content Manager M A K E N N A O’ M E A R A @ m a ke n n a o m e a ra Managing Editor L AU R E N K R Z Y Z O S TA N I A K @ e d i to r l a u re n National Editor G L AC E B O N D E S O N @latirlatir Web Director MEGHAN RIDLEY @miss_ridley Online Editor JA K E W E B S T E R Motion Graphics ZAK HUGHES Web Ad Coordinator JESUS DIAZ National State Director K AT E K E L LY @ k 8 m i n d s et Distribution Manager JAS O N RU S S E L L National Sales Executive

APRIL 2016 HAPPY 420!

SANDRA SEMLING Events Director J E N I K A M AO Administrative Event Coordinator CHRISTINA HEINTZELMAN Executive Assistant K I N S E Y L I T TO N @kinseymaei Corporate Office Manager Contributing Writers S H A RO N L E T TS DAV I D PA L E S C H U C K MEGHAN RIDLEY R.Z. HUGHES DAV I D BA I L E Y @dmb0227 H E AT H E R C O O N S K E L LY VO @ kevowr i t i ng L I N D S E Y R I N E H A RT JOHNNY HALFHAND B I A N C A F OX MEGAN RUBIO A B I GA I L RO S S J O H N C AC C I TO L O PAU L M U C H OW S K I JESSICA ZIMMER J E N I K A M AO B L A Z E ROB I N S O N S E S H ATA Contributing Photographers MARK COFFIN T I N A BA L L E W KRISTEN ANGELO B R I E S AV E Y

Once again, we prepare for the biggest cannabis holiday of the year! Our third National issue is dedicated to 4/20 in its entirety. The holiday represents a moment where many of us can step back, take a deep breath, and celebrate how far we have come as a united cannabis community. The connection felt during this celebration is a reminder of the authentic roots we planted that allowed our entire movement to begin in the first place. We chose Willie Nelson for our April cover because he radiates authenticity. He has Defended Our Plant Everywhere for more than half a century and and has connected with millions of people through his music. In this issue, we explore the life and story of the man, and the creation of his brand: Willie’s Reserve. Willie stands for fierce independence and personal freedom, and this is a message we can rally behind. We believe this type of attitude has played a major role in cannabis becoming more accessible across the nation. Join us in exploring the variety of what the cannabis industry has to offer this 4/20. From Essence, Las Vegas’ only cannabis dispensary on the strip, to sustainable ways to store your stash - we’ve got you covered! Do you plan on staying home but need 10,000 joints for 4/20? Take a look at our technology piece on Futurola’s knockbox. Browse through our “products we love” page and see what canna-businesses we find dope! This holiday, some will make a point to gather with like-minded people. Others will make space in their busy schedules to celebrate solo. Yet most will find themselves in places where access to cannabis is restricted, and will have to partake discreetly – if at all. 4/20 is a time to commemorate how far we’ve come, while greeting the journey that lies ahead. Regardless of your state’s political landscape, we strive to embolden our readers in their stance on cannabis. If a copy of DOPE Magazine lands in your hands, we hope it inspires you. Thank you for being a part of an authentic community of strong, united and courageous people. May your 4/20 be dope! D O P E M AG A Z I N E i s a f r e e m o n t h l y p u b l i c a t i o n d e d i c a t e d t o p ro v i d i n g a n i n fo r m a t i v e a n d w e l l n e s s - m i n d e d v o i c e t o t h e c a n n a b i s m o v e m e n t. W h i l e o u r fo u n d a t i o n i s t h e m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s i n d u s t r y, i t i s o u r i n t e n t t o p ro v i d e et h i c a l a n d re s e a rc h - b a s e d a r t i c l e s t h a t a d d re s s t h e m a n y fa c ets o f t h e w a r o n d r u g s , f ro m p o l i t i c s t o l i f e s t y l e a n d b e y o n d . We b e l i e v e t h a t t h ro u g h e d u c a t i o n a n d h o n e s t d i s c o u r s e , a c c u r a t e p o l i c y a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g c a n e m e rg e . D O P E M AG A Z I N E i s fo c u s e d o n d e f e n d i n g b o t h o u r p a t i e n t s a n d o u r p l a n t, a n d t o b e i n g a n u n c e a s i n g fo r c e fo r r e v o l u t i o n a r y c h a n g e.

Contributing Artist MALINA LOPEZ Graphic Design Intern NARISSA-CAMILLE PHETHEAN

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S APRIL 2016

THE FOUR TWENTY ISSUE 14

CANNA-NEWS 411 on 420

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Woodstalk

DOPE NEWS

THE FOUR TWENTY ISSUE

APRIL 2016

20-21 B R A N D I N G B U D

What’s In A (Cannabis) Brand Name

22 24-25

DOPE EVENTS April - May

36-37 C A N N A - N E W S

The 2016 Cannabis March

WILLIE NELSON

AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL

30-34

HEALING THE CITY OF ANGELS

CANNA-NEWS Cannabis and Hemp Products For Cats and Dogs

30-31 W I L L I E ’ S R E S E R V E

42-43

AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL

ROAD TRIP LOS ANGELES

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A P R I L C OV E R Photo by: James Minchin Design by: Brandon Palma

G R OW Playing It Safe

46-47 B U S I N E S S

The Mainstreaming of Cannabis Hits the Drug Industry

52-53

LIFESTYLE Products We Love

54-55

MUSIC Beats Antique

58-59

#END420SHAME Stories From Our Readers

6 0 - 6 1 T R AV E L

Cannabis In the Canary Islands

6 4 - 6 5 I N T E RV I E W WRITER & PHOTOS / SHARON LETTS

38-40

Ed Rosenthal

44-45

48-50

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TECHNOLOGY

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MARY JANE’S MEDICINALS C A N N A B I S - I N F U S E D PA I N R E L I E F S A LV E WRITER / MEGAN RUBIO

PHOTO / TINA BALLEW

I was very excited to try the Pain Relief Salve from Mary Jane’s Medicinals, as I have lingering pain due to injuries caused by a car accident. Mary Jane’s focus is on cannabis-infused topical products that provide an alternative to ingesting cannabis, ensuring relief without psychoactive effects. My neck and shoulders were feeling tight and I had been dealing with a headache all day, so I used the salve on my temples and neck. I immediately noticed that it didn’t take much of the salve to get the job done, and it took effect within 10 minutes. My headache was barely noticeable the rest of the evening, and it was the first time that day that I wasn’t focused on my pain. When I used the salve on my neck and shoulders, the results were similar, with the added bonus of helping release tension and tightness. I’ll be keeping this salve handy from now on! Consumer feedback consistently highlights the quality and fast-acting relief of Mary Jane’s Medicinals products. I also tried the Lip Bong and was very impressed. It is the longest-lasting lip balm that I have ever used. It was cool to the touch with a great consistency—not too glossy, not too waxy—and my lips were moisturized for at least an hour.

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Mary Jane’s Medicinals products are in more than 20 stores around Colorado The products are all natural and organic Mary Jane’s Medicinals offers six different products: Pain Relief Salve, Lip Bong, Topical Tincture, Body Lotion, Heavenly Hash Bath (Bath Soak), and Body & Massage Oil

A WRITER R T I C /LR.Z. E HUGHES TITLE

PHOTO / RICK DAHMS

UNE IN TO KLAY 1180 AM every Saturday morning at noon for exclusive interviews and discussions with industry and local leaders. The brainchild of Darrel Bowman with Amy Ansel as co-host, 411 on 420 is the first radio program of its kind on the AM airwaves. It is a show that focuses on cannabis knowledge and information rather than simply promoting the use or extolling the virtues of the plant. Well connected in the Puget Sound business community, Bowman was a business consultant for years before hosting the long-running BizTech Talk, also on KLAY 1180, while Ansel has roots in Microsoft. 411 on 420 launched this past November and since then, the hosts have already welcomed a bevy of local luminaries, including John Davis, constitutional lawyer Scott Stafne, the Mayor of Tacoma, and the founders of CannaCon. When they first started out, aside from the obvious risk of talking about cannabis on federally regulated airwaves, the station manager asked Bowman a question: “Do you think you really have enough to talk about?” To this Bowman chuckled, knowing that education is imperative, and got to work producing content that brings understanding and awareness to the industry and business community. “Everywhere we go, Amy is in the know,” Bowman said. The duo’s intimate knowledge of the cannabis network, as well as many other sectors, is vital to their goal to normalize cannabis and bring it into the mainstream. Ansel said they want to put cannabis on the same level as any other industry. “With conversation comes commerce, and

GRAPHICS / JAN DOMACENA

commerce can bring normalcy.” The medium of radio is unique as a place to hold conversations about pressing topics. The Internet is great for information, but there are so many diversions and distractions that it is hard to hold a meaningful discussion without being entirely sidetracked. On the radio, people can tune in for long periods of time and feel compelled to define their own opinions. The team at 411 on 420 is bringing news and information to the masses in the hopes that they will make their own educated decisions. “We don’t promote getting high,” Bowman said. “Cannabis touches virtually every industry, including sustainability, textiles, oil and natural gas, disease management, and agriculture,” said Ansel, as Bowman started to explain a nefarious plastics plant being built in the south of Puget Sound. The Port of Tacoma is currently allowing a foreign-owned company to build a potentially dangerous natural gas and plastics plant that will put thousands of lives at risk and poison the ecosystem. It is a truly shocking tale that is bringing people out in droves to emergency town hall meetings. However, it could all be solved with one perfectly green solution. Hemp could be used to produce the plastics without the natural gas, all while positively contributing to local environmental health. This could be done with American businesses without ruining the waterways and would actually help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; all without the risk of an exploding power plant. To learn more, tune in each week. Listeners can live stream the show globally and listen to past episodes at 411on420.biz.

L O C AT I O N : C E R E S I N B E L L E V U E

15 15

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

WOO D S TAL K CHRONIC CONSCIOUSNESS

HERE IS A WIDE WORLD OF WEED CONTAINERS available for cannabis users to store their herb in these days, from the old school sandwich baggie to the latest in UV-protected jars and vacuum sealing. We’re also stepping into an era in which cannabis can be on display on a coffee table or desk. Combine these two notions together and you find products like the bamboo gems being crafted by WoodStalk. The product line at WoodStalk speaks for itself. With thoughtful design and soulful integration, the range of jars here is especially wide. For those interested in a complete collection, The Full House features a total of eight jars in four different sizes, half in a natural tone and half in black. The WoodStalk vision is one of consciousness and sustainability. As the website so eloquently states: “If the bamboo containers are the body of WoodStalk, the very soul is the hope to inspire a new level of selection that binds personal action with global consequences.” A truly rare quality of these containers lies in the fact that they are individually hand-crafted, each one composed of a different combination of colors and grains and indentations on the bottom. These one-of-a-kind storage options can be customized— WoodStalk crafted DOPE jars and they’re nothing short of gorgeous—or you can go with a choice from the wide variety of WoodStalk designs, including the Flower of Life, Tunnel Vision, and Octopus Crop Circle. WoodStalk is also in the rolling accessories game, where their blunt tubes are a definite standout product. They are also airtight and smell-proof, so discretion isn’t sacrificed in the name of environmentally friendly accessorizing—which is undoubtedly at the core of this chronically conscious company..

WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY

16 16

PHOTO / KRISTEN ANGELO

ART DIRECTION / MALINA LOPEZ

AD NATIONAL

WRITER / ALEX HALPERIN OF WEED WEEK

GRAPHICS / JAN DOMACENA

After Super Tuesday, Bernie Sanders, Hilary Clinton, and Donald Trump each emerged as frontrunners for official party nominations. Last year, Clinton, a longtime skeptic of legal cannabis, took on opponent Bernie Sanders' view that cannabis should no longer be a Schedule I drug (a category that does not allow for medical use). Trump has not made cannabis a focus issue but says states should be able to decide for themselves.

Vermont’s State Senate approved recreational use for adults with support from Governor Peter Shumlin (D). If the bill passes, the Green Mountain State could be the fifth to legalize and the first to do so through the legislature rather than the ballot. It’s speculated that another New England state, Rhode Island, could be next. In Maine, an initiative for voters to decide on legalization in November failed to make the ballot after 17,000 signatures were disqualified on a “handwriting technicality.” An appeal is expected.

The legal cannabis industry could be worth $100 billion by 2029. San Francisco firm Ackrell Capital wrote in a report “a cultural and generational shift in public attitude is occurring.” The report estimates a market of 50 million adult users with comparable sales of recreational products and cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals. If accurate, this would make legal cannabis as big as tobacco or the anti-depressant and coffee markets combined.

Legalization activists plan to protest federal prohibition by sparking up in front of the White House on April 2, a date they call a “rescheduling” of 4/20. While adult use is legal in D.C., the protest will be on federal land so anyone who consumes will risk arrest. The protest was inspired, among other things, by late night comedian Bill Maher who recently lit a joint on his show Politically Incorrect. Despite Internet rumors, Maher was not fined $1.7 million by the FCC.

A federal judge in Canada ruled that medical users have the right to grow their own plants. The decision forces lawmakers to revise the country’s medical rules at the same time that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau works toward his campaign promise of legalizing nationwide. It has caused some confusion as enforcement varies widely across the country. On the other side of the world, Australia legalized medical cannabis.

Since 1998, a past drug conviction has been grounds to refuse a student federal financial aid, a policy that disproportionately affects minorities. New legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators could end the practice. “Statistics and common sense tell us it is bad policy to deny students education if we want to reduce drug abuse and encourage young people to become successful,” said Utah Republican Orrin Hatch.

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Marijuana Business Conference & Expo America’s Oldest & Largest National Cannabis Tradeshow

BRANDING BUD

W H AT’S I N A ( CA N NA B I S ) B R A N D NAM E ? WRITER / DAVID PALESCHUCK, CLS, MBA

T’S A CURIOUS THING that a mere brand name can persuade us to engage emotionally with a product or company. Sometimes, we even develop an unwitting loyalty or long-lasting aversion to a brand, though we might know little about it. How is this possible? The old Shakespearian adage would have us believe that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but how does this really play out in the world of brand names? Naming is a complex blend of science and art, a fusion of unstructured creativity and meticulous logic. The idea phase is elaborate: inspiration comes from abstract concepts, relevant themes, sounds, and different languages. Literally hundreds of names can be generated for each project, but if creating names can be challenging, selecting one is even more so.

DOES A BRAND NAME MATTER? Choosing a brand name is an important and intensive exercise. The name should last, it should fit the company’s personality, have the right connotation, and be remembered.

Since most companies start small with the emphasis on the idea for the product or service rather than the brand, the name arises as an afterthought. There is a strong likelihood that the name will be chosen on emotive grounds rather than on solid scientific research. Since every company needs a name and because one name is just as good as another, why not just pluck one out of the air? Often, that is exactly how names are decided.

HOW TO CHOOSE A BRAND NAME Brand names should be easy to understand, pronounce, and spell. Two words in the name should be considered the maximum. A name should be familiar so that the information it relates to is already stored in the mind. They should also be distinctive, attracting attention and standing out from other brands.

These guidelines are not necessarily mutually compatible. It may be difficult to find names that are simple, vivid, familiar, and distinctive. Evidence suggests that consumers are more likely to remember a name if the mind has to work harder to understand and recognize it. Familiar words may facilitate brand recall, but distinctive words work better at building brand recognition. An example of this in the cannabis space is the brand Avitas. Strangely familiar, it’s sativa spelled backward. Linguists are often consulted to brainstorm appropriate names for brands, products, and companies. Indeed, there are a number of popular linguistic devices that can be used to form effective brand names, such as the phonetic alliteration in Coca-Cola, the morphological elements in Craftmatic, or semantic allusions in Nike. Semantic metaphors that convey visible, clear meanings ensure that iconic brand names like Apple and Jaguar continue to be popular, but even brand names built on solid naming principles can fail. It turns out that the mere letters and sounds used in a brand name can have a curious impact on its reception by the public, persuading

us to develop an emotional bond with the product. Based on studies of popular brand names and experiments involving made up brand names, linguists and psychologists have found some interesting patterns that may have an impact on future trends in branding. A 2007 study by Tina M. Lowrey and L. J. Shrum on phonetic symbolism and brand names suggests that consonants and vowels can convey symbolic meaning. Certain sounds can positively or negatively emphasize certain properties of a product.

OTHER VARIABLES IN BRANDING A reality of today’s digital world also means that domain availability can be a crucial deciding factor. There are over 220 million domain names registered worldwide, and some experts believe that over 99.9% of the dictionary is registered as a domain name. The process is especially challenging because there are more than 24 million businesses in the United States. U.S. trademark law protects business names, so when you find one you like, make sure you can use it. Infringing on a copyright could force you to abandon your new business name after investing a lot of time and money in it.

PROTECT THE BRAND NAME It’s important to protect your name to the appropriate degree. If a name infringes on another company’s copyright, the company could receive a cease-anddesist letter and have to go to court or change its name after months or even years of use. Some experts believe that the best names are abstract, a blank slate upon which to create an image. Others think that names should be informative so customers know immediately what the business is. Some believe that coined names (made-up words) are more memorable than names that use real words. Others think they’re forgettable. In reality, any name can be effective if it’s backed by the appropriate marketing strategy.

BRANDING BUD

DESCRIPTIVE

EVOCATIVE NEOLOGISMS FOREIGN WORD PERSONIFICATION PUNNY COMBINATION

From both a marketing and legal standpoint, it’s important to develop brand names that are both distinctive and protectable. Incorporating overused terms can lead to brand confusion, and it certainly won’t make the brand stand out. The industry is riddled with “canna” brands such as Canna Care, Cannabis Culture, Cannabis Now, and Cannabis Times. Similarly, brands with “420” or “green” as the dominant component are prevalent—and hard to protect. Keep in mind that U.S. trademark and copyright law protects names for the benefit of consumers. A trademark, therefore, is not necessarily owned by the first person to use it. The legal standard for a protectable name is something that distinguishes the product from its competitors by communicating to a relevant consumer. It could be a word, symbol, slogan, design element, logo, color, texture, sound, or motion—with the brand name itself acting as the foundation.

CONCLUSION As momentum for cannabis legalization grows nationally, the commercialization of cannabis is no longer a pipe dream. In fact, it could become a reality sooner rather than later, providing companies with the opportunity to build enduring brands. Brand owners must give considerable thought to the names they choose for their businesses and products. From a marketing perspective, new brands should incorporate a name that a customer can remember and that distinguishes the brand from competitors. Consider the name as shorthand for brand identity in the marketplace. If the brand name sounds too much like another company’s, the goodwill it builds up diffuses to anybody with a similar name.

“THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT IF THE MIND HAS TO WORK HARDER TO UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THE NAME, IT WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO BE RETAINED IN THE LONGER LASTING MEMORY THAN A FAMILIAR NAME THAT FAILS TO BECOME LODGED.” L.J. SHRUM, RESEARCHER: PHONETIC SYMBOLISM

David Paleschuck, a Seattle-based entrepreneur and marketing expert, has had a long career in marketing, branding, licensing, and partnership development. He has worked for world-class consumer brands including American Express, MasterCard, PepsiCo, and Microsoft. He is currently writing a book called “Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis” and is releasing it in early 2016. Contact him at david@newleaflicensing.com.

EVENTS

APRIL

PHOTO / MARK COFFIN

THC FAIR A PRIL 2– 3, A P R I L 1 6 –1 7

HC Fair is coming to Bend-Redmond on April 2 and to Salem on April 16. This fair is where attendees will learn more about growing and harvesting cannabis, the medicinal uses of cannabis, and legislation about hemp and cannabis. Vendors will feature new smoking and vaping accessories, horticulture and grow shops will be represented, and information will be presented on recreational laws, medicinal dispensaries, medicinal uses for patients, edibles, and hemp products. Many locals come together to collaborate with small business owners, making this a one-of-a-kind networking event.

DOPE CUP SEATTLE

PHOTO / TOM HOEFFT

APRI L 1 7

he 5th Annual Washington DOPE Cup is amongst us! It is the biggest cannabis competition in the Northwest, where contestants compete for the best cannabis products in Washington state. Join DOPE for a day of music and community engagement and celebrate the greatest plant in the world. For more info on entering and tickets go to dopecup.dopemagazine.com

MARIJUANA BUSINESS CONFRENCE & EXPO M AY 9 –1 1

ore than 3,000 industry executives, experts, and major investors come together to make partnerships and combine markets at this conference. Many vendors will be ready to show off their latest products and services. Expert speakers with all new presentations and Q & A sessions will be available, with a keynote presentation on Generational Engagement Strategies from Chuck Underwood. “This show kills it, to put it simply,” said Brent LaBranche from Aptus Plant Tech. “This is beneficial for everyone: the dispensaries, the patients, and the investors.” This event will take place in Orlando, Florida and is known for its tremendous impact on large and small businesses alike, so don’t miss out!

WRITER / JENIKA MAO

PHOTO / MARIJUANA BUSINESS DAILY

THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY HAS MADE IT THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING NEARLY EVERY INDUSTRY.

CWCBEXPO 2016

NATIONAL NEW YORK CITY - JAVITS CENTER JUNE 15-17, 2016

The cannabis industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier brands and thought-leaders will be at the only show that focuses on the advocacy of the businesses behind the cannabis industry. Will you? The CWCBExpo is the leading forum for: Dispensary Owners, Growers, Suppliers, Investors, Medical Professionals, Government Regulators, Legal Counsel & Entrepreneurs

VISIT WWW.CWCBEXPO.COM TO REGISTER TODAY

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.

CANNA-NEWS

CA N NA B I S A N D H E M P P ROD U CTS F OR CATS A N D DOGS

DO TH EY WORK AND ARE TH EY SAFE? WRITER / JESSICA ZIMMER

new group of companies is providing cannabis and hemp products for pets that are said to treat issues ranging from anxiety to cancer. The primary ingredient in the products is cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound that can repress the transmission of chemicals between nerve cells. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has not approved cannabis or hemp for use in animals, has issued warning letters to several of the companies. “Often [non-FDA approved drugs do not even contain the ingredients found on the label,” said Michael Felberbaum, press officer for the FDA. “Consumers should beware when purchasing and using any such products.” The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does not support using cannabis or hemp to treat pets. “There have been no scientifically accepted studies comparing marijuana products to known pain control medications,” said Dr. Tina Wismer, a veterinarian and the medical director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “In addition, research has not been able to adequately define what a safe and effective dose of marijuana would

PHOTO / COURTESY OF VETCBD

be, due to the wide variety in product available.” Dr. Wismer made correlated statements concerning hemp. Similarly, Dr. Steve Hansen, a veterinarian and president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, said he is concerned about cannabis and hempbased products for pets because they are not FDA-approved or registered. “I would ask what research has been done and try a product very cautiously,” Hansen said. Dr. Sarah Brandon, Executive Director of Washington based Canna Companion believes that scientific studies will eventually prove CBD is safe and effective for pets. Brandon is a veterinarian who, along with husband and veterinarian Dr. Greg Copas, are widely considered the world leaders in the research and development of cannabis as a compliment to pet healthcare regimens. Their company currently creates and produces hempbased products for dogs and cats. Canna Companion collected data during informal tests of its product between February 2014 and December 2015 and plans to present its findings in June 2016 at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Denver. Dr. Greg Copas, the chief

scientific officer of Canna Companion, added that he and Brandon have talked to several universities about beginning clinical trials. “Right now, we’re looking at Tennessee State University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of California, Davis,” Copas said. Copas became interested in treating pets with hemp about 15 years ago when he began using oral cannabis sativa supplements. Brandon and Copas first treated their own pets, then pets of friends and family, and lastly, pets of their voluntary and informed private practice clients. Canna Companion is composed solely of ground hemp in vegetarian capsules and offers product specific to animal body weight ranging from 205 mg for small dogs and cats and up to 550 mg for extra large dogs. By summer of 2016, Canna Companion also plans to offer an equine formulation and flavored chews for cats and dogs. “We use several different strains [of hemp],” Brandon said. “We want to make sure the THC ratios are low.” Copas said Canna Companion helps with arthritis and joint pain but is not a cure-all. “We recommend using it in conjunction with other therapy and

CANNA-NEWS medications” Brandon said. Canna Companion’s products are getting some serious support from both the academic veterinary community like Professor Peter Cowen of North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine who has stated: “There is something of extreme value here. Not only from a therapeutic perspective but also from a psychological one”. Cannabis culture icon Tommy Chong has also lent his full support to the brand, stating: “The decision to work with Canna Companion was obvious for me. I’ve had pets throughout my entire life, and I still do. If we can do anything to improve their quality of life, I’m all for it.” Like Brandon and Copas, there are many other veterinary leaders looking to cannabis to treat animal ailments. Dr. Stephen M. Katz, a veterinarian and founder of Therabis, a New York City company that created a hempbased powder for dogs, said his product assists with joint mobility, anxiety, allergies, and pathological scratching. By the second quarter of 2016, Therabis will offer a product for cats. “It’s a formula that I’ve been working on and refined for the better part of 10 years,” Katz said. “I’ve used the three different formulations [for small, medium, and large dogs] on approximately 100 dogs each.” The sachet for dogs up to 20 pounds contains three mg of CBD, the sachet for dogs between 21 and 50 pounds contains five mg of CBD, and the sachet for dogs 81 to 100 pounds contains seven mg of CBD. Katz has witnessed Therabis relieve separation anxiety and pain related to the hip joint. “Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety,” Katz said. As a result, they chew or bite the walls in their homes while their owners are away. “I can’t tell you how much drywall I’ve removed from intestines. Also, [New York] is one of the epicenters in the country for dog allergies.” Katz said. Therabis has partnered with Dixie Elixirs, a Denver company that creates a variety of human-grade products containing cannabis extract. In 2016, Therabis will partner with the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine to start clinical trials on its product. Marjorie Fischer, director of Treatibles, a company that creates hemp-based products for animals,

said her company has benefited from the knowledge and experience of a cannabis-based company. Treatibles started in 2013 as a sister company of Auntie Dolores, a California business that makes gourmet human edibles. Fischer said Treatibles’ baked products come in two flavors: pumpkin and blueberry. They contain one mg of CBD in a small treat for animals up to 50 pounds and two and a half mg of CBD in a large treat for animals 50 pounds and over. Treatibles is working to create a grain-free version of the product for dogs and a cat-specific product as well. “Our customers report that Treatibles can be helpful with decreasing

“THERABIS CREATED A HEMP-BASED POWDER FOR DOGS THAT ASSISTS WITH JOINT MOBILITY, ANXIETY, ALLERGIES, AND PATHOLOGICAL SCRATCHING.” nausea and increasing appetite… [as well as] relieving anxiety, joint pain, seizures, aggression, and behavioral issues,” Fischer said. The company has received positive feedback from thousands of customers. Alison Etwell, founder of TreatWell, said her company creates a variety of cannabis products for people and animals alike. “We’ve been treating dogs for the past decade for seizures and serious illnesses like cancer,” Etwell said. “We use cannabis because we think hemp is not safe for animals. You need the THC in order for the CBD to bind well to the brain’s [neuron] receptors.” Etwell said TreatWell’s pet tinctures are made with the extract of

flower that comes from two different strains of cannabis, one with a 20to-1 CBD to THC ratio and the other with a 1-to-1 CBD to THC ratio. The first tincture is used to treat anxiety, arthritis, and mild pain; the second for cancer, severe pain, and topical skin conditions. Both tinctures come in two sizes, a small pet size that contains 75 mg of cannabinoids total and a large pet size that contains 300 mg of cannabinoids total. TreatWell works with veterinarians and animal experts to design a treatment plan for each pet patient. “It’s easy to dose up or dose down with a tincture because you can put [the liquid] on the side of their mouth or in their food,” Etwell said. Dr. Tim Shu, a veterinarian and founder of VetCBD, also prefers to use cannabis over hemp. Shu, who is a medical cannabis patient, said cannabis has been bred to produce resinous flower, while hemp has been bred to produce fiber. Shu designed an olive oil-based tincture that’s easy to measure and give. Each bottle of VetCBD contains 115 mg of CBD and is administered based on the animal’s weight. Shu said VetCBD has received positive feedback from thousands of pet owners in California. “It works amazingly well for pain, arthritis, nausea, separation anxiety, and noise anxiety,” Shu said. “We have some cancer patients who take a dosage roughly four to five times the regular dose. We haven’t seen any issues.” All companies stated an overdose of their product would not be lethal and added that use of their product would not cause an animal to experience a euphoric high. An overdose could result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sleepiness, or dizziness: basically, the animal might “act drunk,” as Etwell said, but the symptoms would subside within a few hours. All in all, those backing cannabis-based products are confident in their safety. The companies added pet owners should talk to a vet before beginning treatment with products containing CBD. “We really have to find out the underlying issue and address it,” Shu said. If a pet owner notices that their pet is experiencing negative effects from exposure to cannabis or hemp, they should call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4264435 or visit the organization’s website to learn more.

CANNA-NEWS

W H Y I U S E M E D I CA L CA N NA B I S WRITER / JOHNNY HALFHAND

HE ARTHRITIS STARTED SOFTLY, like a whimper. My knees twinged from time to time as a kid. I started taking methotrexate and a range of other prescription medications intended to halt deformation, inflammation, and so on. But the ravages of the disease push on relentlessly. As it invades each moving part, from the jaw to the toes, you realize this is a war waged within. It’s chronic. In other words, it’s not going anywhere any time soon. Doctors offer treatment, but it is not guaranteed to work, and the best meds cost more than what disability insurance covers per month. Rent, food, utilities: who needs that? Alas, this is the situation many of our most vulnerable citizens are facing in the United States right now. Anyone who has fallen ill or has had the misfortune of inheriting faulty genes is pretty much

destined for a life of poverty as the government and healthcare industries double-team our wallets. Throughout all this, we’ve all been active participants in the crazy social experiment of state-led cannabis legalization in the United States. Most certainly a welcome breach in the long prohibition of cannabis, and a true lesson in taking the good with the bad. And still, there is common incredulity directed at medical cannabis users. We are often suspected of using illness as a cover for getting high. We are suspected of giving up on diet and exercise, but in my experience, using cannabis on an asneeded basis can effectively be a part of that holistic regimen: cannabis can help suppress nausea and let you overcome your vertigo long enough to get a good breakfast. For some people, cannabis gets them up and out, eager to explore

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“THE ISSUE IS THAT DOCTORS HAVE ALMOST NO PROBLEM AT ALL PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS, BUT IT WOULD BE A RISK TO THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IF THEY WERE TO WRITE A CANNABIS PRESCRIPTION UNDER THEIR NAME." 27

their city. It can break you out of a depression to enjoy a game or hobby which has fallen to the wayside. It can help some people sleep at night or calm down from a stressful episode. Cannabis also acts as a safe replacement for opioid painkillers like hydrocodone or oxycodone, which bring with them a notorious potential for abuse and overdose. This is a real concern for patients with chronic pain, who risk falling down a slippery slope. The ideal for many patient is avoiding opioids whenever possible. The issue is that doctors have almost no problem with prescribing these painkillers, but it would be a risk to their professional careers if they were to write a cannabis prescription under their name. Despite state-by-state legalization, without national consensus, this will be the awkward state of things for patients. The unique medicinal nature of cannabis is reflected in how it impacts people very differently. It takes a little bit of experimentation to see if it works for you, and in what measure. People without illness often struggle to fathom the world of chronic pain. It’s a deeply personal experience that is hard to translate, and empathy is partially dependent on understanding. There is a vast array of types of pain, and there are some who suffer greatly who don’t even have a diagnosis to explain their ailments. We all must remember that it is real humans who are experiencing these pains. Sick people and the permanently disabled aren’t people to throw behavioral proscriptions at, but people who need our collective compassion and care. For me, cannabis helps me sink into the couch and enjoy the simple things: a nice vape session will chill me out, and a big chunk of a chocolate medible will get my muscle spasms relaxed away long enough to unwind. I never get a vacation from my illness, but a spot of pot puts things in their right place for a few moments. Everyone deserves a break from their reality, and that is especially true for those who struggle through daily life and have finally found respite through medical cannabis.

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I C O N I C C H RO N I C TH E PASSION AND PU RITY OF WILLIE’S RESERVE WRITER / BIANCA FOX

PHOTO / DANNY CLINCH

MAGINE A WORLD WHERE true cannabis connoisseurs can light up like Willie. Authentic style. Pure premium product. The timeless toke. This spring season, the cannabis community will welcome the arrival of potent flowers found within the new brand, Willie’s Reserve. The icon of cannabis has been plotting and planning in strategic steps, assuring the invention of a brand that promises to deliver what dreams are made of. Willie Nelson is a trusted source. Throughout history, we have watched the country star fight for our right to party. One can tell that he truly cares for the cannabis community. From his consistent dedication to Farm Aid to leading the movement of personal toking freedom, his brand carries the elements that stand true to his nature. We can expect nothing less than the best. Elizabeth Hogan, who has worked with Willie for two years on building the brand, explained his humble beginning to the business. “It is something he took very seriously, whether and how to get involved in the business of cannabis when it began to be branded in California,” Hogan said. “When people started putting their names on pot as branding, Willie personally knew where he stood on the issue, which was fully supportive. He wanted to lend his voice to the effort and he wanted to have an influence.” For the following years, the brand was carefully crafted to suit and portray Willie’s authentic self. The singer met with established partners in Colorado and Washington to grow the most premium plants possible. He created relationships with growers and producers, who in turn provided input on strains and products— products that met with Willie’s goals:

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pure, clean, pesticide-free strains that are available in a variety aimed to please a range of customers. With a product in mind, Willie set out to build his brand. “He worked very closely with producers and processors in the first states to go recreational, Colorado and Washington, and develop a high-quality supply chain that reflects the issues that he wanted to have a positive impact on,” Hogan said. “Willie chose to release his products in those two states because they were the first to go recreational. It made the most sense for the brand for a couple of reasons.” Hogan explained Willie’s choice for distributing in Colorado and Washington. “Willie has always stood for that personal freedom, that sort of libertarian point of view. As adults, we have the right to this plant that exists on the Earth. It made sense for him to go where voters also said that made sense to them.” Conducting thorough nationwide research led to analysis on where the brand should primarily be launched. Thankfully, they found that the industry and its customers believe in proper regulation, which includes Willie’s ideals of a clean and premium product. The group is confident that these trends will continue, from what they see in the results of their work in public opinion. Building good business was also a top priority of Willie’s. Another top goal for him was to help the cannabis industry look at itself “through a lens of sustainability.” “With Willie’s Reserve, everyone can expect variety in terms of proper pesticide-free cultivation methods and strains,” Hogan said. “What people will find is a very high standard level

of quality in terms of what went into it and how the plant was treated and processed coming out.” Private equity funding for Willie’s Reserve arrived in waves from Tuatara Capital and the final stages were completed during the fall of 2015. The company will begin distribution of products on shelves within dispensaries across Colorado and Washington in May or June, Hogan said. The goal of the products’ packaging is to represent Willie’s relationship with cannabis. His extensive travels allowed for some mighty fine sampling of the nation’s best pot, grown by top producers. “His stash has always been made up of the best,” Hogan said, speaking on what Willie promises to deliver. “He’s so funny when you ask him about his favorite strain. He says, ‘I claim them all. There are ways to become an expert on something. You can study a lot or practice a lot, and his expertise comes from practice!” In the first launch of Willie’s Reserve line, consumers can expect beautiful flower and beautiful flower products like Ready Rolls. Willie is also a big fan of vape pens and cartridges, so that is part of the focus as well. In the end, the consumer will be able to toke through the eyes of Willie, appreciating his chosen chronics. Throughout the next year, the company will be focusing on establishing proper operational methods with partners. Hopes are high for the brand’s growth potential. “We really believe that with Willie’s involvement, we have some advantages that his fans will really appreciate,” Hogan said.

“AS ADULTS, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO THIS PLANT THAT EXISTS ON THE EARTH. IT MADE SENSE FOR WILLIE TO GO WHERE VOTERS ALSO SAID THAT MADE SENSE TO THEM.”

A RT I C L E T I T L E

AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL WRITER / SHARON LETTS

PHOTO / JAMES MINCHIN

ithin the cannabis community, our life stories and lessons learned make up who we are. Our differences through struggles come together for the greater good when the artists of a community tell our stories through personal and creative expression. American musician, singer-songwriter, and activist Willie Nelson has told a thousand stories from his own life that began when he was just a child. Born in rural Texas in 1933 during the Great Depression and raised by his grandparents, he and his family picked cotton beside immigrants and offspring hailing from Mexico and Africa.

A RT I C L E T I T L E

“IN SHORT, I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS LOVELY, LEAFY PLANT,”

When discussing his fellow laborers, Willie quickly commented, “They were Mexican-American and African-American,” putting emphasis on the soil on which they worked together as equals. From his autobiography It’s a Long Story: My Life, Willie writes of a tenacity learned in the fields. “Even though I’d get into fights now and then, I got along with everyone,” he wrote. “It felt natural, for instance, to be living across the street from a Mexican family. We accepted them and they accepted us. Our Mexican neighbors worked out in the field right alongside us.” Willie never learned discrimination. Instead, the experience founded the basis for his musical and philanthropic endeavors. “I loved listening to the black workers making music of their own,” Willie said. “They weren’t singing songs of complaint. They were singing songs of hope driven by a steady beat and flavored with thick harmonies made up on the spot. I couldn’t help but sing along.” He penned his first song at the age of nine and played in a polka band for money at the age of 12, much to his Bible-loving grandmother’s disappointment. Mama Nelson believed that the smoking and drinking associated with life in the barroom would send her grandson straight to hell. But in the end, she surrendered to the music, as the $8 made from one night of playing polka equaled one week’s worth of hard labor in the fields. Her love of the Lord couldn’t compete with practicality. In 1954, fellow musician Fred Lockwood handed Willie a joint while sitting in a bar slamming whiskey and watching Senator McCarthy grill suspected communists within the entertainment industry. “We’d probably get happier faster if we blew some tea,” Fred said. But Willie wasn’t yet ready and downed another whiskey. Drinking, smoking cigarettes, and chasing women were his vices, until lung issues and a bad case of pneumonia put the brakes on his two to three packs a day.

“It’d take years before I’d understand the beneficial properties,” he wrote. “In the meantime I stuck to my two habits: cigarettes and booze. I was too young and dumb to see the harm they were doing.” The songs he wrote during that time reflected his state of mind. I Gotta Get Drunk needs no CliffsNotes, and Bloody Mary Morning was written as he played two women, admittedly changing the facts to suit the rhyme. “The song had me running fast,” he said. “The song had me looking for a way to deal with a hangover. I was hung over from too much liquor and too much running. It all made sense to give up booze. I was a lousy drunk, a foolish drunk, a fighting drunk, a drunk who did himself much damage.” During the 1960s, his own kids convinced him to take a look at Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Pop laced with folk sensibilities was giving people another way to express their frustrations with the powers that be. “I liked what I heard on the radio,” he said. “Most of it came out of the blues. I heard Led Zeppelin as a blues band. Janis Joplin sure as hell was singing the blues.” With this new mentality also came the drug culture, but Willie wasn’t interested. He was, however, inspired to do away with his vices. “About the same time I adopted the song Whiskey River, I threw whiskey out of my life,” he said. “Any fool could see that booze was bad for me. Booze made me say shit I shouldn’t say and fight guys I shouldn’t fight. Booze made me headstrong, violent, and dumb as dirt. Booze jacked up my ego and drowned out my humanity. On top of that, I still had a two-to-three-packa-day cigarette habit. The combination of liquor and tobacco was slowly killing me.” Willie began smoking cannabis during the ’60s, but said he used it only as a supplement, initially. “As I moved closer to the Woodstock Nation, I bore witness to their

A RT I C L E T I T L E music-loving, life-loving, peace-loving ways, I saw the key role played by pot,” he wrote. “Pot was a communal experience. Unlike cigarettes, you didn’t smoke a joint alone. You shared it. You passed it around. Pot was a plant, a natural substance whose positive uses, I would soon learn, were varied.” Realizing that our country’s very constitution was written on hemp paper had this former cotton-picking Texan thinking. “In short, I fell in love with this lovely, leafy plant,” he wrote. “As time went on I quit tobacco and booze entirely. As the years went by, as the growers of the crop learned to cultivate an increasingly satisfying product, my appreciation increased.” Willie said just as he loved robust coffee beans and the strong buzz felt by the brew, he felt the same way about cannabis. “It pushed me in the right direction,” he wrote. “It pushed me in a positive direction. It kept my head in my music. It kept my head filled with poetry.” Today, he’s becoming more entrenched in the healing world of cannabis by creating, creating his own brand. Willie’s Reserve was inspired from the many post-concert hangouts by his bus, Honeysuckle Rose. “Cannabis has been a positive thing in my life for a very long time,” he said, speaking from his home in Hawaii. “I finally replaced alcohol and cigarettes with smoking weed.” Recently Willie was lambasted, then redeemed, as he shrugged off detailed questions of the plant in an article in New York Magazine. But the surprise that he didn’t know the differences between indica and sativa was ultimately judged as refreshing in the age of snooty cannabis connoisseurs. “As long as the bowl is full, I’m happy,” he joked. But, the larger question remained: did he medicate or get stoned while burning a few on the rooftop of friend and former President Jimmy Carter’s White House prior to giving concerts? Even the most ardent stoners insisting there is no medicinal value to cannabis may find comfort and relaxation in medicating before or after a stressful event.

An artist’s third eye could be opened up before a performance, making the experience more meaningful for all. And then there’s the spiritual connection to consider. “We do it for a lot of reasons,” he said, in true Willie form. “I don’t know if you are aware, but cannabis is mentioned in the Bible. It’s been used in spiritual ceremonies for centuries. It’s been around for a very long time.” Willie’s longevity may be credited to his belief in staying positive, but his legacy is heavily laden with lessons learned, lessons “born out of experience and genuine grief,” he wrote. Lessons shared with us through his music.

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CANNA-NEWS

HE GLOBAL CANNABIS MARCH, a march to celebrate cannabis and raise awareness about its prohibition, is getting ready for its 17th year in a row! As the next big celebration of cannabis after 4/20, this annual march will take place internationally on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The Global Cannabis March has been raising awareness about the benefits of cannabis and downsides of prohibition since 1999. It is known by many names around the world, including the Global Marijuana March and the Million Marijuana March. The event is often free to participants and is a loud protest, a celebration of cannabis, and a gathering of the diverse cannabis community. Over 800 cities in over 75 countries have participated since its inception, and many locations host a celebration of the cannabis plant in ways that are unique to each area. About 250 cities participate each year, and sponsors local to those areas help make the event happen. The events vary in size depending on location. Toronto has what many perceive as the largest march in the world. It is estimated that their march draws out about 20,000 participants annually. Many sponsors of individual events are local chapters of activist groups and businesses, including NORML, Parents 4 Pot, THCF/Empower Clinics, and other cannabis advocacy groups. Advocates looking for

“THE EVENTS ARE A MIX OF LOUD PROTESTS, A CELEBRATION OF CANNABIS, AND A GATHERING OF THE DIVERSE CANNABIS COMMUNITY."

like-minded individuals who are focused on ending cannabis prohibition are certain to make a few new friends by attending. Parents 4 Pot founder Anna Diaz is a longtime organizer of the Portland, Oregon march. “The Global Cannabis March is a chance for us all to stand up for the end of cannabis prohibition,” she said. “It is a family-friendly event that encourages us to dress up and have some fun while we shed light on this important issue.” The events are lively and festive. Organizers and participants bond with one another over their love for the cannabis plant. The day typically begins with an expansive march throughout the city, followed by a rally with speakers from various activist and criminal justice groups. Some events complete the day with festivals that focus on providing networking space for vendors and stages for bands. In most cases, the march holds a permit to close roads so that participants have the right of way in traffic. The march then ends at a rallying point such as a capitol building, courthouse, or park. Participants are encouraged to play musical instruments as they march, chant and sing, dress in silly cannabis attire or costumes, bring signs about cannabis and hemp, and advocate

to change cannabis laws. Often, marches even encourage public consumption of cannabis as a form of protest, but it is a good idea to check with local organizers prior to sparking up in case the event is family-friendly. In legal states, dispensaries often participate by handing out coupons for great deals on cannabis flowers and items, and local medical clinics have booths to help people sign up for appointments to see doctors for their cannabis recommendation. In states still facing cannabis prohibition, there is often a large group of activists armed with petitions to change the law. They highlight legislative concepts to support, distribute flyers about jury nullification, and hand out voter registration cards. These events provide a great opportunity for everyone attending to get more involved in positive change. The marches happen every year on the first Saturday of May. To stay up to date on local events, check the event’s Facebook page. Anyone can organize a Global Cannabis March, and submit their march’s information to the organization’s Facebook page to begin recruiting attendees.

STOPPING TO SMELL THE ROSES Aaron Justis is president of one of LA’s top dispensaries, Buds & Roses. He has sat on the Board of Directors of GLACA and lobbied relentlessly to help the masses understand the challenges of getting medicine to patients safely. Opened in 2006, Buds & Roses is modern and organized. Its shelves are stocked with many varieties of award-winning flower to smoke, including its coveted “Veganic” strains, which are void of animal derivatives. General manager Brett Hartmann ensures Buds confirmed that the staff is educated and ready to offer alternatives to smoking if a patient is suffering from serious ailments. Alternatives include CBD-only caps, salves, and tinctures as well as THC-activated oils, lotions, and salves. “Testing is important,” Hartmann said. “We also carry healthier medibles than most.” BUDS & ROSES AARON JUSTIS, PRESIDENT

SEX, MEDS, AND ROCK ’N’ ROLL Drag queen extraordinaire Laganja Estranja may be a Texan at heart, but she calls LA home. Buds & Roses is her neighborhood shop, and her favorite items are Hashbury extracts and Veganic Gorilla Glue #4. Laganja’s latest favorite, The Deluxe, is made by Allie Butler of The Hepburns and is a large, top-shelf flower. Strong enough for several sessions, it is packaged in a reusable glass snuffing tube with a natural cork top. Laganja usually performs at Micky’s West Hollywood, but she was scheduled in San Diego during this trip. With cannabis sex educator Ashley Manta in tow, we made the trek to San Diego together, focusing our conversation on sex and cannabis, of course. The next day, Manta had a photo shoot at Hustler on Sunset Boulevard, which has hired her to give demonstrations in its shops. She gave an impromptu mini-demo of how a clitoris is stimulated, using a vulva made of fabric. The self-proclaimed “sex geek” was in her element as all eyes were on her vulva, so to speak. “Using cannabis as an intimacy tool can add ease and pleasure to love-making,” she said. “Did you know the clitoris has legs?” Manta said to Hustler employees, moving her fingers slowly over the outer edges of the vulva. There are many cannabis products on the market now geared toward intimacy. One of Manta’s favorites is Foria’s topical stimulating oil. The next stop was Manta’s favorite playground, the Fun Factory, where the colorful state-of-the-art sex toys and stimulators found at Hustler are made. Director of marketing Kristen Tribby said she welcomed the additional education from Manta on further stimulation with cannabis. “It’s given our work a whole new meaning and depth,” she said.

OPHELIA CHONG PICKING UP HER MEDS

ASHLEY MANTA: CANNABIS SEX EDUCATOR & OWNER OF CANNASEXUAL

INFUSED FUN IN HOLLYWOOD The Herbal Chef, Chris Sayegh, is breaking new ground in the world of food infusions with micro-infused servings that leave diners feeling more relaxed than stoned. Business partner and Mixology Flaired owner Shea Lewis worked alongside Sayegh, making magic with micro-infused alcohol with the same theory—a little dab will do you. At Lewis’ apartment—overlooking Hollywood Boulevard and Vine in the shadow of the old Schwab’s sign—a small gathering of friends enjoyed a traditional boil of shrimp, sausages, corn, and potatoes with a twist: everything was infused in some way with cannabis and fresh herbs. “For the boil, I poached the shrimp separately so I could medicate it,” Sayegh said. “I had to weigh the shrimp, then weigh the fats and liquid in the pan to get the correct dosing— around one milligram per shrimp. And I had to make sure it was homogenized by thoroughly mixing the fats.” This type of measured dosing is not typical. Infused food at recreational gatherings often results in people ingesting several times more highly activated THC than they should, and it’s usually served with unhealthy portions of alcohol that can send someone to the emergency room or make them hug a toilet bowl while they watch shadow people. Lewis’ infused cocktails were imaginative, delicious, and beneficial. An infused mocktail was created especially for Stock Pot Images owner Ophelia Chong. “Shea made me a strawberry lemonade with basil,” she said. “It was made with fresh berries with a lemon twist and a spicy basil finish. It went perfect with the spicy shrimp.” Chong said she enjoyed and appreciated the micro-dosed offering. “I felt a really nice mellow,” she said. “Finally, infused food that is responsible, and the dosing is about flavor—not getting wasted.” As ordinances are ironed out and patients look to a possible future of recreation in Los Angeles, those who are already delving into the many beneficial and fun properties of the plant are ready for the change. “If we legalize cannabis for recreation in California, I have no issues with that,” Bolanos said. “But we need to make sure we take care of the patients who desperately need this plant for medicine. Too many have suffered for too long. Legalizing it will only help spread the word faster on its benefits.”

SHEA LEWIS, MIXOLOGY FLAIRED

CHRIS SAYEGH, THE HERBAL CHEF

THE HERBAL CHEF AND MIXOLOGY FLAIRED MICRO-INFUSED DINNER IN HOLLYWOOD.

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PLAYING IT SAFE KEEPING PESTICIDES OUT OF MEDICINE WRITER / DAVID BAILEY

HE DOMINOES ARE FALLING FAST, and both medical and recreational cannabis are sweeping the nation. While we’ve all seen the crazy news of Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, what the media may not show are the thousands of locals fighting for legalization in their area. Of course there is Ignorant Fear Mongering is always present, but have we truly considered the safety or quality of the cannabis we’re buying? Looking at the states that have some sort of medical or recreational system, there’s an obvious difference from the black market. Being able to shop in a retail venue with real employees, security cameras, and a selection of products sets the stage for a safe and enjoyable experience. Needless to say, it is quite a bit different than buying weed from a street dealer who sells a lot more than just cannabis. The quality of cannabis that was given to me in Texas left me wondering if it was actually even a plant. In illegal states, many growers do whatever it takes to ensure a successful harvest. Having already risked growing illegally, most don’t pay heed to what they’re putting into or onto their

plants. As a health conscious person, that makes me nervous. Switching from illegal growing to legal is a crash course of laws and volume. While all the news attention goes to seed-to-sale tracking, the real quality is in understanding nutrients and pesticides. Colorado and Washington both have a thorough list of pesticides: those that are clearly outlawed, and those that can be used until certain points in harvest. 'Of course, each state tests the strains to verify growers' claims. Things like Botaniguard and Floramite are forbidden, but some feel that isn't good enough. The lists the states had compiled were for organic vegetable production. Last I checked, we don’t smoke any vegetables. Being a new market, the learning curve has been steep for everyone. Going from 30 plants in a garage to 3,000 in a warehouse is a tough battle for a lot of producers. Where growers could previously spot any and every bug on a daily basis, now infestations can ravish a room before warehouse employees even recognize the warning signs.

IMAGINE GETTING A BATCH OF CONCENTRATES FROM A PESTICIDECOVERED GARDEN. THE PESTICIDES ARE CONCENTRATED TOO! Pesticides are just one way to control bugs. While I definitely support using neem-based products for spot problems, growers can actually keep their gardens pest-free with beneficial insects. With different bugs for different pests, the right balance can fight off spider mites and kill root aphids better than any chemical.

How do growers decide what to spray and when? Luckily, acceptable pesticides are listed for every medical and recreational system, so the choices are already limited. Most importantly, nothing should ever be sprayed once flowering has begun. Imagine getting a batch of concentrates from a pesticide-covered garden. The pesticides are then concentrated too! Filling the refrigerator with non-GMO and organic food but smoking pesticide-covered cannabis flower doesn’t really make much sense. The medical and recreational markets across the U.S. are finally beginning to recognize the importance of this. With both Colorado and Washington recently cracking down on pesticide use, we’re seeing some of the long-term benefits of legalized cannabis in only the first few years. It leaves me optimistic about what’s to come!

TECHNOLOGY

WRITER / HEATHER COONS

KNOCK IT OUT WITH THE KNOCKBOX F U T U R O L A’ S N E W E S T R O L L I N G S Y S T E M U N V E I L E D

UTUROLA, A LIFESTYLE SMOKING company, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The family-run business got its start in an Amsterdam coffee shop back in 1996 and prides itself on developing high-quality products in-house with the latest in technology. Two years ago, Futurola crossed the Atlantic and began their American adventure. They were on a roll: it only took a few short months for Futurola USA to find its products on the shelves of top stores in the western U.S. Now, Futurola is expanding once more as they introduce the latest in rolling system technology, the knockbox. Aptly named, this device can knock out 100 pre-rolled cones in just two minutes. The knockbox comes in two separate wood carrying cases. One case houses the knockbox unit, which looks fairly similar to a computer printer. The other wood case houses the attach-

ments. The whole knockbox unit is easy to assemble and even easier to use. “In four to six hours of labor, only about 100 rolls can be produced by an individual,” said Toby Skard, one of two partners of Futurola USA. “The advantage of the knockbox is that in the same amount of time, up to 10 thousand rolls can be produced: all perfect rolls that burn evenly. There are no weak spots with the knockbox.” Futurola’s newest technology is taking the cannabis industry by storm. “We started taking pre-orders three months ago, and we’ve already sold to some of the biggest names out there. I can’t keep them in stock. I got 10 in this morning, and they’re already gone.” What makes the knockbox so incredible, besides the amount of rolled cones it can produce in minutes? For one, it works

well and it works consistently. Although there have been other mass-rollers out on the market, none really performed the way they were hoped to. They broke repeatedly, they jammed, and they did not produce a perfect roll every time. “We knew that something sturdy and dependable was needed for the market. We also knew that the roller needed to produce a perfect cone every time, one with no weak spots. That’s important. The knockbox is the result of years of developmental testing. Six years, actually.” The knockbox doesn’t use mechanical energy to create the vibration needed to pack perfect cones. It uses sound technology at an extremely low vibration. And, according to Skard, the knockbox is already evolving so that different sized cones and filters can be used. Cone sizes range from slim, pre-rolled cones that are 98 mm in length, to the king size pre-rolled cones that are 109 mm in length. If a business wants to offer different sizes, there is no need to purchase another machine. They just swap out the knockbox’s attachments. “The knockbox could be used with another brand of paper cone, but we highly recommend that only Futurola paper cones be used. We do make the best cones in the industry. Our papers are a unique product, and that’s important for the finished rolled cone to meet our guarantee.” The cones Skard is referring to are made with Futurola’s signature paper. They are the thinnest 100% natural papers available on the market that are made with organic acacia gum. Futurola’s signature papers, cones, and the knockbox rolling system aren’t the company’s only innovative products. Six years ago, Futurola patented a personal hand roller with more than a million sold around the world. Last year, Futurola developed an exclusive Tommy Chong line as part of their U.S. expansion. The Chong collection includes cones and papers, pre-rolls, accessories, and gift boxes—all with Chong’s face stamped on the product. Skard, whose background includes the music and fashion industries, said that Futurola doesn’t just make all their products in-house, but all their advertising too. With the help of Skard's business connections, high-profile celebrities are now working with Futurola on multiple marketing campaigns. EMAIL: INFO@FUTUROLAUSA.COM CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1-800-651-9598 HOURS: MON–FRI 10AM–6PM PST FUTUROLAUSA.COM

WORTH A CLOSER LOOK!

• The vibration of Futurola’s knockbox is created without the use of mechanical energy. Designers utilized low-frequency sound waves emitted through the knockbox’s speaker, which in turn makes the knockbox less susceptible to breakdowns • Futurola currently has 8 different pre-rolled cones that can be used with the Knockbox, including 3 different “reefer style” cones and the option to custom order • Futurola’s design team is actively developing new attachments for the knockbox so that their product will evolve and improve with market demands

BUSINESS

T H E M A I N S T R E AM I N G O F CA N NA B I S H I T S T H E D RU G I N D U S T R Y

WRITER / PAUL MUCHOWSKI

annabis has been used for medical purposes throughout history. However, in the U.S., its utility as a bona fide drug to treat human ailments has only recently started to regain acceptance in the mainstream medical community. As we continue to speed down the slope that is the green revolution, we bear witness to one area that is often overlooked: the important role being played by cannabis-based drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. Although the U.S. has only two cannabis-based drugs that are currently being sold, the likelihood that the FDA will approve several new drugs made up of cannabis or its components within the next two years is extremely high, and the number of diseases for which these drugs will be approved is growing. Studies in the 1960s demonstrated that THC was the major psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. In the 1980s, two of the molecular targets for THC were identified, named cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2. CB1 is found predominantly in the brain on neurons (the cells that help us move and think), while CB2 is found mainly on immune cells (the cells that help us fight infections). Soon after these receptors were found, scientists made the exciting discovery that our body also makes THC-like molecules called endocannabinoids, which bind to CB1 and CB2. One simple way to grasp how the system works is that THC and endocannabinoids are like keys, while CB1 and CB2 are the locks on cells that can be opened, resulting in different physiological changes to the nervous, immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and cardio-vascular systems.

The first cannabis-based drugs were approved for use in the U.S. in the 1980s. Marinol (dronabinol) is a synthetic form of THC in a gel capsule that was approved in 1985 to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and in 1992 to increase appetite in HIV patients. A synthetic analog of THC called Cesamet (nabilone) was also approved in 1985 for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These drugs have only enjoyed limited success for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they require one hour to take effect and cause a number of psychoactive effects that some patients find undesirable. Cannabis has at least 70 cannabinoid molecules related to THC, including the anti-inflammatory compound cannabidiol (CBD), and a large number of molecules called terpenes that give the plant its distinctive smell. Published research studies suggest that the maximum biological effects of cannabis are exhibited only by combinations of these molecules:â&#x17D;Żthe so-called entourage effect. As such, perhaps it is not that surprising that the use of drugs based on THC alone has not grown to a larger extent. GW Pharmaceuticals was the first company to commercialize an extract of cannabis as a drug. This extract, which is sold as Sativex (nabiximols), contains equal amounts of THC and CBD and lower concentrations of other molecules found in cannabis. Sativex is delivered as a mouth spray and is approved for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis in 27 countries, including Canada and much of Europe. In the U.S., Sativex recently completed multiple Phase III clinical trials for spasticity in MS and cancer pain.

BUSINESS Although Sativex did not meet its primary clinical endpoint of relieving pain in the cancer trial, it did appear to have some beneficial effects, and the company is now negotiating with the FDA to discuss the clinical relevance of the data and potential paths forward. Results from the spasticity in MS trial are expected to be released in 2017. GW Pharmaceuticals is also testing Epidiolex, a cannabis extract that is 99.9% CBD, in two Phase III clinical trials in children with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, which are severe infantile-onset drug-resistant types of epilepsy. The company is now initiating clinical trials in other types of epilepsy. They also have a number of compounds in early clinical development that have shown promise for glioma, ulcerative colitis, type 2 diabetes, and schizophrenia. Close on the heels of GW Pharmaceuticals is INSYS Therapeutics. Their leading drug candidate is an oral version of CBD that is also in Phase III clinical trials for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. The only major difference between the CBD from INSYS Therapeutics and GW Pharmaceuticals is simply that the former is made synthetically, while the latter is isolated directly from cannabis. GW Pharmaceuticals and INSYS Therapeutics are in a race to see which company will have the first CBD-based drug approved in the U.S. This begs the question, why wait for a THC- or CBD-based drug to be approved in the first place? In states where it cannabis is legal, individu-

als can easily obtain the aforementioned compounds by ingesting medical cannabis via concentrates, edibles, or supplements available in their local dispensary. The main issue is that, unlike drugs that are sold by regulated pharmaceutical companies, patients buying from dispensaries can’t yet fully trust the chemical profiles or doses listed on the labels of the cannabis products that they are purchasing. However, all of this is rapidly changing as new regulations come into place in states that have medical and recreational cannabis sales, with requirements being established for standardized laboratory testing. It is also important to note, insurance companies will only reimburse the cost of a medicine if it is an FDAapproved drug. A completely novel way to trigger the beneficial pathways that cannabinoid receptors regulate is to target the enzymes that determine the fate of endocannabinoids themselves. A number of pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck) are in clinical development to test inhibitors of an enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) for a wide variety of clinical indications, including social anxiety disorder, osteoarthritis pain, insomnia, and Tourette’s. When FAAH is blocked with a small molecule inhibitor, levels of endocannabinoids rise, causing CB1 and CB2 regulated pathways to turn on. Unfortunately, one clinical trial with an FAAH inhibitor developed by Bial was recently halted because all six patients who took the drug had to be hospitalized. One patient

became brain-dead, while four others have neurological symptoms of varying severity. Other pharmaceutical companies have also tested FAAH inhibitors in fairly large numbers of patients in clinical trials without any serious adverse events reported, which is causing many researchers to speculate that something specific to Bial’s FAAH inhibitor might have been responsible for this tragedy. Nevertheless, in the wake of this catastrophe, Janssen Pharmaceuticals voluntarily chose to shut down two Phase II clinical trials with their FAAH inhibitor that was in clinical development for treating psychiatric diseases. It will likely take months, if not years, to understand what went wrong in the Bial trial, and whether or not FAAH inhibitors will again be tested on humans. Overall, there is good reason to be optimistic about the future of cannabis-based drugs in the United States. Success in diversifying clinical indications to include cancer pain and MS will almost certainly spawn new clinical trials for other diseases. Despite the fact that most of us in the green community accept that the medical benefits of cannabis are real, we often forget that many other individuals, including the majority of doctors and politicians, are not yet fully convinced. If the FDA approves these new cannabis-based drugs, the ramifications may help the cannabis industry as a whole, including increasing the likelihood that the government will have to reclassify cannabis as a drug that has medical benefits.

“DESPITE THE FACT THAT MOST OF US IN THE GREEN COMMUNITY ACCEPT THAT THE MEDICAL BENEFITS OF CANNABIS ARE REAL, WE OFTEN FORGET THAT MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THE MAJORITY OF DOCTORS AND POLITICIANS, ARE NOT YET FULLY CONVINCED.” 47

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E S S E N C E L AS V E GAS MEDICINE ON TH E STRIP WRITER / JOHN CACCITOLO

he Las Vegas Strip is usually known for adding casinos to its iconic stretch, but this March it became the new home of Essence, the first and only cannabis dispensary with a location on Las Vegas Boulevard. This is a huge deal for patients in the city, and for anyone traveling to the desert who doesn’t want to risk taking their medication with them. Needless to say, the store opening was a moment co-owner and CEO Armen Yemenidjian has been anxiously awaiting. Essence could have opened its doors several months ago, but the team decided to wait until they had the information needed to do it right. That information came in droves when Yemenidjian held focus groups in which participants told him everything they liked and didn’t like about the experiences they’ve had when purchasing their medicine. Using the feedback to shape the dispensary’s business model, the end result has been described as Apple store meets jewelry store, with the obvious focus on medical cannabis in all of its forms.

PHOTO / BRIE SEAVEY

Located between a Walgreens and one of Las Vegas’s most well-known wedding chapels, Essence has carved out a truly beautiful space to begin its mission of serving patients. The moment you walk through the door, a calming feeling of knowing you’re in the right place for medicine washes over you. The rooms feel clean, inviting, and professional thanks to the bright white walls, marble floors, and modern furniture. Most doctors’ offices and pharmacies lack the style and comfort that can be found here. Through a clear glass window, you are promptly and politely greeted by the staff, who have you sign in with an iPad and let you know that a patient consultant will be with you shortly. A patient consultant is different than a budtender, as everyone who works for Essence must undergo a rigorous three-week training course to become a patient consultant. It was described to me as attending “marijuana school.” There isn’t a ceremony when the training is complete, but with the amount of knowledge that each new patient consultant has about cannabis

as medicine, you would think they held a degree in the field. Patient consultants ensure that customers are not just picking a product off a list and hoping it has the effect they need. Instead, they are given numerous options to help create their own personal “essence.” And if patients have concerns regarding their health conditions or other medications, they can always consult first with the on-site registered nurse, who is on stand-by daily. Having a founding member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association on hand is just another feature that Essence has to offer to Las Vegas. This is a perfect example of how Essence actualizes their core beliefs. “It’s not about us, it’s about the patient,” Yemenidjian says. That sentiment comes to life when you experience just how friendly, caring, and knowledgeable all the patient consultants really are. Essence boasts an impressive line of products. The flower has three levels, including premium strains, top shelf strains, and a third tier that is high quality at a lower price ($35 per

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eighth). No eighth is over $50, even for the premium flower. That’s one of the lowest price points in all of Las Vegas currently. They also have many select varieties of kief and pre-rolls for $10 a piece. Moving down the row of display cases, customers will come across concentrates, waxes, and liquids of all shapes and sizes. For dabbers and vapers, there are several different strains of Moxie shatters, O.penVAPE oil cartridges, and Holy Grail CBD e-liquids, as well as other flavored vape oils and disposable CO2 cannabis oil cartridges. If tinctures are more your preference, then you can go for the vanilla, peppermint, or unflavored sprays from Holy Grail, or go the drip route with Mary’s Nutritionals Elite CBD Remedy Oil, which comes in a 500-mg bottle. Of course, there are also the edibles. From Evergreen Organix’s Coconut Chocolate Macaroon Bites and Double Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bites, to cannabis-infused Honey Bears, Peanut Butter, Chewy Bears, and Happy Ranchers from NevadaPURE, there is no shortage of delicious medicated treats. One of the most interesting lines of medical cannabis products that Essence has to offer has to be the variety of different topicals from Mary’s Nutritionals. Muscle Freeze uses the combination of CBD and natural plant extracts to create an infused 2307 S LAS VEGAS BLVD, LAS VEGAS NV (702) 570-8472 @ESSENCEVEGAS

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version of the popular cold-andhot pack customers are used to. The beauty of topicals is that they can be used anytime without worrying about it having a psychological effect. They also carry CBD pens, patches, and lotions. For customers who just want to pop a pill to feel the benefits of CBD, they could try capsules from either Holy Grail or Mary’s Nutritionals. Pretty soon they’ll add even more products, a majority of which will come from their very own cultivation facility just a few miles away. I was lucky enough to take a tour of the

facility, and to call it state-of-the-art would be underselling it’s beautifully complex science. At over 54,000 square feet, the space looks like what you would imagine a cultivation facility put together by Google would be like. Except it’s even better. Until its up and running, customers can still stop by Essence Las Vegas right on The Strip near the Stratosphere tower to get the high quality, affordable medicine they need.

"LOCATED BETWEEN A WALGREENS AND ONE OF LAS VEGAS’ MOST WELLKNOWN WEDDING CHAPELS, ESSENCE HAS CARVED OUT A TRULY BEAUTIFUL SPACE TO BEGIN ITS MISSION OF SERVING PATIENTS.”

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P RO D U C T S

CANNABIS LIFESTYLE COMPANIES A

THE HIGHEST CULTURE CLOTHING CO.

Creating graphic tees and hoodies since 2007, The Highest Culture is a homegrown company, founded in Connecticut. The brand combines classic graphic art with cannabis culture and can be purchased for a reasonable price.

$17–$32 thehighestcultureclothing.com @thehighestcultureclothing

STAY IRIE EYEWEAR

“Fueled by THC” is this company’s motto. Stay Irie was founded in California in 2012. Their eyewear is heavily influenced by skate and cannabis culture. These shades are high quality and look great too!

$20–$60 stayirie.com @_alwaysirie_

MAGIC FLIGHT

Navigating through Magic Flight’s website feels somewhat like reading a book on metaphysics, but don’t be intimidated! Their unique spin on cannabis vaporizing feels ancient and new at the same time. All products are crafted in the U.S. $5–$130 magic-flight.com @magicflight

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W E LOV E

CANNABIS PRODUCTS WORTH A SECOND LOOK! D WRITER / ABIGAIL ROSS PHOTO STYLIST / MALINA LOPEZ PHOTO / KRISTEN ANGELO

WOODSTALK BAMBOO

THREE A LIGHT

WoodStalk bamboo creates sustainable ways to hold your goods. The company was founded in 2007 as the result of two friends exploring solutions to man-made problems. Check out more about the company on page 62!

This coffee table book is one of the highest quality grow books we have received. From the novice to lifelong grower, Three A Light is sure to impress any reader who opens it. Look for our feature on author Joshua Haupt next month.

$15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;$140 woodstalkbamboo.com @woodstalk_bamboo

$500 threealight.com @thr33alight

MUSIC

WRITER / BLAZE ROBINSON

PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

BEATS ANTIQUE C A N N A B E AT S

BEATS ANTIQUE’S RECORDING STUDIO and pop-up store in Berkeley, California, David Satori, Zoe Jakes, and Tommy Cappel chat with us about their influential fourth bandmate, Mary Jane. The talented electronic and world fusion dance trio are back in the studio working on new music.

DELUXE JOINT COURTESY OF HEPBURNS

H OW CA N NA B I S H AS I N F L U E N C E D T H E I R M U S I C “Our band wouldn’t exist without marijuana,” Zoe says. Zoe and David met while trimming in northern California. David and Tommy were introduced through a mutual bud-trimming friend. They say that cannabis has always supported the band. In the beginning, trimming provided Beats Antique with the finances and flexible schedules to create their music. It also gave them supportive fans who were just as eclectic. Mary Jane is the base for much of the creative playful energy that is found throughout their music and performances.

T H E RO L E CA N NA B I S P L AYS I N T H E I R L I V E S Zoe does not use cannabis, but she says she is a huge supporter of the plant because of the beneficial impact it has on her friends and community. David realized the medicinal aspects of cannabis when recovering from a car crash. He used cannabis to heal and to get off the prescribed painkillers that left him dependent and groggy. David says cannabis now helps him unlock his artistic creativity and playfulness in new ways. Tommy, who has epilepsy, struggled for much of his life from a reliance on prescription drugs. Increasing his cannabis consumption, particularly by vaping CBD, allowed him to go off the meds and even start driving again: a thing he had not been able to do in 21 years. He says smoking helps him let go of all the electrical chaos in his brain, relaxing and opening his mind to the musical inspiration around him.

T H E CA N NA B I S S T R A I N T H AT B E S T COMPLEMENTS THEIR MUSIC “All of it,” the band emphatically answers. “Just get high and listen to all of our albums,” says Tommy. “I’ve smoked tons of weed on all of our recordings. It’s all over it—literally.”

W H AT’S N E X T F OR B E AT S A N T I QU E David says his dream is to tour with Willie Nelson in biodiesel vans. Until that call comes, the band will be working on their next album. In May, they will travel to New Orleans for a musical collaboration with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Keep an eye out for Beats Antique at summer festivals like Red Rocks in Colorado and the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan. If that's too long of a wait, find their music on their website (beatsantique.com), or swing by their pop-up store, Shadowbox, on Alcatraz Avenue in Oakland every Tuesday.

“EVERY CULTURE AROUND THE WORLD HAS IT. IT’S ON THIS PLANET FOR A REASON.” —DAVID SATORI

TOMMY CHONG EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION BY FUTUROLA

For wholesale inquiries: info@futurolausa.com

Tel: 1.800.651.9598

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WRITER / KELLY VO

CANNA-NEWS

When Sara was young, she smoked cannabis occasionally. It was just something she did—at least until she turned 37 and started getting sick. For weeks, she couldn’t keep food down, but the doctors had no answers and incorrectly diagnosed her with IBS. That’s when cannabis came back into her life. A friend recommended it, and it worked so much better than the medicine her doctor prescribed. Unfortunately, that was just the start of her journey. A few months later, she was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. “My mom was a cancer researcher, so I knew that cannabis was good for pain and nausea, and I started using it during chemo,” Sara said. “It replaced several different drugs and cut down on my side effects and expenses, but I wish I would have known more.” As Sara started to get her life back together a year after chemo, she realized she couldn’t return to her old job. Instead, she found employment at the dispensary that supplied her medication, and started working with other cancer patients and survivors. It was then that she discovered how much cannabis was helping those who truly needed it. “After chemo, I had neuropathy in my hands and feet,” Sara said. “Now, we’re finding that patients who take CBD during treatment experience less neuropathy, and some people don’t get it at all. The more I learn about cannabis, the more fascinating I think it is.” That was just the tip of the iceberg. Sara started studying and working with various professionals within the cannabis industry to discover how else it could help people. It’s the best part of her job as an educator and consultant for critically ill patients, she said. “So many amazing people helped me when I was sick, and now I get to do that every day,” Sara said. “I get to support people through their sickness, giving them a shoulder to cry on and a place to feel safe. I also get to help patients who are using cannabis for the first time. It can be intimidating and scary, so to be able to walk them through my own experience and provide resources and education is an amazing job.”

very one of our readers has a cannabis experience that’s worth sharing, including Sara Payan and Kayla Arielle. Though they are from different walks of life and have different tales to tell, they’re united in their desire to #end420shame. This hashtag campaign is dedicated to bringing to light the truth about cannabis and its users.

SARA PAYAN

Sara Payan is a cancer survivor and the director of education for The Apothecarium in San Francisco. She’s also a senior cannabis consultant for critically ill patients and serves on the San Francisco Medical Cannabis Task Force, working with supervisors in the city on legalization. PHOTO / BARRETT THAYER, @SYNANTHROPE

“I GET TO SUPPORT PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR SICKNESS, GIVING THEM A SHOULDER TO CRY ON AND A PLACE TO FEEL SAFE. I ALSO GET TO HELP PATIENTS WHO Kayla Arielle is an artist and cannabis advocate. ARE USING CANNABIS She’s been a budtender in Colorado and is a patient FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT of HoneyBear Farms. Cannabis helped her conquer her pharmaceutically induced “steroid psychosis” CAN BE INTIMIDATING and taper safely from harmful prescription drugs. AND SCARY, SO TO BE ABLE TO WALK Kayla’s entry into the world of cannabis was quite unique. It wasn’t until she was on high-dose steroids for over six THEM THROUGH MY months that she decided that something had to change. ADOWN EXPERIENCE AND The Prednisone barely controlled her severe inflammation and swelling, and it had only worsened her depresPROVIDE RESOURCES sion and increased her anxiety. Thankfully, she was a research guru. Everything she found on medical cannabis AND EDUCATION IS AN said that it could help her, so she decided to give it a try. AD “One night, I decided to shun the wool that had been AMAZING JOB.” KAYLA ARIELLE

pulled over my eyes, and I sat down to a two-foot water bong,” Kayla said. “My nervousness faded to excitement as I inhaled deeply. What followed was one of the most free-from-chronic-pain-and-worry nights of my life! I felt my mind expand and my joints sigh in relief as cannabis saturated my aching body.” It wasn’t until 2012 that Kayla officially got her medical card and was able to legally use cannabis for her health. After that, doors seemed to just open. She ended up joining the industry. “[I wanted to] lend another legitimate voice to the movement and to help others find the relief that I found,” Kayla said. “It only seems fair. Why should I live in comfortable silence while others suffer?” But it hasn’t always been a smooth road. Some of Kayla’s friends and family are still stuck on the gateway drug propaganda and refuse to see how cannabis can be a prescription medication, but that’s why she won’t back down. “I’ve learned you will never change some minds, and that it is more important to focus on the people who may truly need the knowledge you share,” she said. “They are the ones who will learn and benefit the most.” For both Kayla and Sara, their journey into cannabis has been filled with incredible discoveries. “If you spent an afternoon sitting in my patient waiting area, you’d be amazed by how many people of all different walks of life are medicating,” Sara said. “How normal

it really, truly is. One thing that really surprised me about cannabis was when I met my first patient who had gone into remission with the help of cannabis oils. It was amazing to meet someone who was told they wouldn’t survive, and then they did much more than that.” “What I find most surprising is the heart within this industry,” Kayla said. “D.A.R.E. painted pictures of hardened, cruel criminals out for cash with no regard for their fellow man, yet I find the exact opposite with every interaction. I am constantly confronted by compassionate caregivers, people who are willing to spare an extra dollar to give away what someone needs! There is a sense of community, driven by a common focus and backed by bravery.” At the end of the day, there’s only one thing that they would want everyone to know about cannabis. “The key to successfully having cannabis in our country is safe access,” Sara said. “That means we need to educate both patients and consumers about the adult-use market.” “If I could share one thing, it would be only to take the time to give yourself a true education on cannabis,” Kayla said. “No one else is going to do it for you, and your health and humankind’s livelihood depends on it.”

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CA N NA B I S IN THE CA NA R Y ISLANDS WRITER / SESHATA

THE THRIVING CULTURE OF SPAIN’S SUBTROPICAL ISLANDS

Photo by Seshata

HE CANARY ISLANDS ARE A small group of volcanic islands that lie just 62 miles west of Morocco and enjoy a subtropical climate with year-round mild temperatures. The people here have grown cannabis for decades, long before the central government of Spain decided to relax its laws to allow for the existence of cannabis social clubs. Now that they have a chance to legitimize the community, there are plenty of people keen to participate. Here, rainfall is scarce and the wind can prove to be an outdoor grower’s worst nightmare, but the temperatures are so favorable that outdoor growing can occur year-round, and many growers state that January is their favorite month to crop! In the wetter, more sheltered parts of the islands, some of the biggest plants seen in Europe happily thrive. It’s Carnaval (the second-biggest in the world after Rio) when we arrive in

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the Canaries, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife is crowded with locals and visitors from all over the world. We watch as miles upon miles of lavishly decorated locals of all ages, shapes, colors, and sizes parade down Santa Cruz’s main beachfront thoroughfare, their bright colors contrasting somewhat with the overcast February sky. We’re looking out for signs of people smoking cannabis, but apart from the odd gaggle of teenagers sharing furtive joints, it appears that it’s not yet a widespread social activity—at least not one that’s out in the open. An hour later, we’re headed to the small city of San Cristobal de la Laguna to check out the first cannabis social club, a small venue known as Entropia. Its proprietor Francesco (who hails from Italy, along with half of Tenerife’s cannabis community) greets us with a broad smile and ushers us into his club. It’s functional and sparsely decorated, populated by a small throng of local

T R AV E L Canarians who are friendly, welcoming, and eager to tell us all about life on the Canary Islands. Francesco tells us that the cannabis community really became established in the 1960s as the first waves of hippies came to settle on the islands and mentions that at first, there were issues with locals destroying or stealing entire crops. Even now, foreign growers based on the island may pay a little baksheesh here and there to grease the wheels and keep everyone on the island happy. Tourists should also be careful smoking openly here—it is unlikely to result in serious repercussions, but police may well decide to exact on-thespot “fines” (which probably don’t end up in the official police treasury). All-in-all, the laid-back attitude of the Canary Islanders extends to most things, and the cannabis community is now by-and-large an established fact of Canarian life. There’s a handful of clubs on each of the larger islands, and as long as they keep their paperwork in order, the local police are happy to let them exist. It’s so laid-back there even by Spanish standards that it easily takes all day to visit one club. We spend the obligatory hours examining the cannabis varieties on offer (at that time, it’s pretty limited, but they have some great outdoor Lavender), as well as hearing the life stories of a couple of the assorted

locals at the bar. After what seems like weeks, we extricate ourselves from our hosts’ relentless (although much appreciated) hospitality and make our way back to la casa for a welcome night’s rest. We’ll soon be heading up the side of the world’s third-tallest volcano El Teide—the centerpiece of Tenerife—to visit a grower and extract artist friend of ours, so we’ll need to be well-fed, well-rested, and ready to dab. The next day, we meet up with Julio, an Italian friend who’s taking us to meet Federico, the extract artist—yet another Italian. As a British person, I’m beginning to feel somewhat less ashamed of my country’s rampant infestation of these islands at this stage, now that there’s apparently an equally bad nationality to compare against. Julio takes us up some seriously hair-raising mountain roads to get us to Federico, who simply calls his outfit “BHO — Made in the Canary Islands.” This straightforward approach is mirrored in his tools and his manner: Federico explains that he uses simple open-blasting equipment and that for him, the quality is all the starting material. He also stresses that his products get at least four days in the vacuum oven, which helps to ensure their smoothness. His plants are grown outdoors, with minimal additives, in the bright Canarian sun.

NATIONAL

“THE CLUB LOOKS OUT OVER A GLITTERING BLUE OCEAN EDGED WITH BLACK VOLCANIC SAND, THE GRAY OUTLINE OF LA GOMERA ISLAND OFF IN THE DISTANCE. IT’S HERE THAT WE TRULY BEGIN TO COMPREHEND JUST WHAT A PARADISE THIS PLACE IS, AND WHY SO MANY WHO COME HERE NEVER WISH TO LEAVE.”

Federico takes us outside to show us some of his small plants, which are in full flower in mid-February and looking wonderfully purple due to the cold nighttime temperatures at this time of year. He explains that the average daytime temperature is between 70 and 75 degrees, but nighttime temperatures can drop to below 50, so there’s plenty of opportunity for purpling, along with some serious, frosty crystal development. He actually cropped his large plants just two weeks ago, so we don’t get to see them in flower, but we’re certainly happy to smoke their terpenerich, herbaceous harvest. Later, after another precarious drive down patchy mountain roads, we visit the second of Tenerife’s social clubs, the Association Medical Cannabis in Playa de las Americas. President Samuele (another Italian) greets us warmly, and we also talk to the club secretary Johan, who, to our endless surprise, isn’t Italian. He’s German, and he’s happy to talk to us at length about why he came to Tenerife three years ago. Although he is involved with the club, it turns out that Johan’s main responsibility is none other than the mighty Seedfinder.eu, a massively popular website that religiously tracks and records strains from commercial seed banks. Johan has built up the site over the last eight years or so, and finds that it’s easier to keep track of things while living a worry-free life far from the restrictive laws of his home country—and much closer to the very ground that many big European seed banks now use to grow their big crops! Samuele’s club is, without a doubt, one of the nicest we’ve ever been in, in terms of ambiance and atmosphere— not to mention the view, which looks out over a glittering blue ocean edged with black volcanic sand, the gray outline of La Gomera island off in the distance. It’s here that we truly begin to comprehend just what a paradise this place is, and why so many who come here never wish to leave. Our time here has been brief, but we’ve made some wonderful friends, and there is no doubt we’ll be back to investigate this budding community more closely.

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GA N JA G U RU ED ROSENTHAL SHARES INSIGHT ON INDUSTRY ISSUES WRITER / BIANCA FOX

DESIGN / BRANDON PALMA

n order to live up to the title of “Guru of Ganja,” one must uphold the highest possible standards of excellence. Ed Rosenthal stands tall in this persona, studying the cannabis plant with the dignity it deserves.

E D TA L K S Rosenthal has worn many hats for the past 40 years, living life as a leading authority on everything cannabis. His knowledge is studied and appreciated in numerous books and in courses at the trade school Oaksterdam University, where students learn about cannabis cultivation. After authoring the book Beyond Buds, Rosenthal developed his own line of non-specific insect and fungus eradication products, called Ed Rosenthal’s Zero Tolerance. Above all, fighting for the freedom to use the plant is top priority for the guru. He is currently working on a terpene project and preparing literature to guide voters about California’s Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016. Rosenthal met up with DOPE and shared his views on our industry’s current issues.

Q A

DOPE MAGAZINE: Was there a precise moment in your life when you realized that you wanted to fight for the rights of cannabis? ED ROSENTHAL: I was heavily involved in the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement. With that came the belief that cannabis should be legal. DM: Did you admire any activists growing up? ER: My big hero is Pete Seeger. He was blacklisted in the 50s. And then I sort of experienced the same thing. In the 80s I tried to get a book published and no printer would touch it for a while because of the drug war. That was the Marijuana Growers Handbook, first edition. DM: What that during Nancy Reagan’s time? ER: Yes. And the ironic thing is that I own the trademark for Zero Tolerance. It’s the name of my pesticide and fungicide. Just say no to pests. I should have called the pest Reagan.

Q A

DM: Do you connect with soldiers who use cannabis as an aid for PTSD? ER: I have contact with patients of all kinds. PTSD is really big, I believe, in the US. Not only among soldiers, but just living in today’s society can cause tremendous amounts of stress over a period of time. Most people living in the US are just a couple paychecks away from homelessness.

DM: What most recent studies on cannabis do you find to be most impressive? ER: There’s an incredible amount of research being done. Cannabis and the cannabinoid receptors are such a tremendous part of animal life, from primitive sea creatures and upward. There is a reason why it has been preserved through evolution, and why it has been ubiquitous in life. I think the thing that makes it so unique is that it helps to regulate the entire nervous system.

DM: What are your thoughts on how Los Angeles should handle regulation, when and if the city goes recreational? ER: I think that beside from zoning, there should not be a regulation regarding the number of facilities. I think the market can control that. I think that all of these different regulations that are not dealing with hygienic standards and things like that; weights and measures… Things that aren’t actually dealing with protecting the public, they just should not be there. Let the public and the market determine how many facilities there should be. DM: What is your personal opinion about the Adult Use of Marijuana Act? ER: That’s a scam. It is not a legalization measure at all. The big wearers of that are the distributors. That is where all the money will flow into, the distributors. Away from the manufacturers and the retailers. And it doesn’t guarantee that people can grow their own. That people can transfer freely, like among friends. Or can grow collectively. If it ends up on the ballot, people should not vote for it.

Q A Q A

DM: Do you think that something else needs to be put on the ballot? ER: I don’t know if it can be done this year. But we would be better off maintaining the situation that we have, rather than putting that (Adult Use of Marijuana Act) on the ballot. Because once it is on the ballot, it cannot be changed, except by the vote of the people. Which is just not adequate. But word will spread as time goes on. DM: You work with commercial growers. What are their top concerns of today? ER: They are not political and they should be. It’s very weird -the difference between the activists and the capitalists. As capitalists prepare the noose for people in the industry, they just go on oblivious to everything. I’ve seen it before. At one time, there was this government war on the head shop industry and the hydro stores. As the hydro stores were going down, they did not stand up politically. They thought that if they kept their heads under the ground no one could chop them off. Some of the big manufacturers like Hydrofarm – they told the shops, “if we catch you getting political, we will cut you off.” DM: How is your hometown of San Francisco doing? ER: More dispensaries are opening. Everybody is getting ready for the big push. DM: Are you optimistic about the future? ER: Yes, I don’t think that Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act is ever going to totally go into effect. I think it’s going to be totally unworkable and people are just not going to do it. Everything is supposed to go through a distributor and I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think it’s highly unlikely.

眀眀眀⸀猀栀椀渀攀瀀愀瀀攀爀猀⸀挀漀洀䀀猀栀椀渀攀瀀愀瀀攀爀猀

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APRIL 2016 HAPPY 420!

othing unites cannabis users quite like 420. Magic is evoked by those three simple numbers, instantly identifying someone as a having spent a fair amount of youthful years practicing the art of rolling joints and engineering apple pipes. Whether it be mind blowing dab rips, micro dose edibles, or the discretion of vape pens, the dopest of the dope know that 4:20 is the best time of day, and that April 20th is the most important day of the year. As Californians, we appreciate the cannabis lifestyle unlike any other place in the world. From the dankest OG strains to the freshest pine of Jack Herer, we know no one can compete with what’s being grown in the Sunshine State. We celebrate this month’s holiday by featuring Northern Emerald’s Titan OG, the perfect strain for a relaxing day under the sun. If your preferred consumption is in the form of cannabis oil, we promise you’ll love our concentrate and product features of the month. Housebound sufferers can now have their medicine delivered directly to their doorsteps. With a booming California delivery industry, we were compelled to feature Hip Joynt, one of California’s premier delivery services. With their help, those who need medicine the most are now able to receive it without the need to travel. The 420 folklore all states that the legend of 420 originated in California. Whatever iteration of the legend you prefer; we can all agree on one thing. We all know what time it is. It’s our secret password, our knowing wink to each other. As you blow the trees in the breeze, remember to consume contentiously out there on your travels. With all of the celebration happening, we want to show our community in the best light, as we are in the public eye even more this election season. Let’s show the world how we do things in the dope way! Keep it dope this 4/20, Kamerly Tyler | California State Director D O P E M AG A Z I N E i s a f r e e m o n t h l y p u b l i c a t i o n d e d i c a t e d t o p ro v i d i n g a n i n fo r m a t i v e a n d w e l l n e s s - m i n d e d v o i c e t o t h e c a n n a b i s m o v e m e n t. W h i l e o u r fo u n d a t i o n i s t h e m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s i n d u s t r y, i t i s o u r i n t e n t t o p ro v i d e et h i c a l a n d re s e a rc h - b a s e d a r t i c l e s t h a t a d d re s s t h e m a n y fa c ets o f t h e w a r o n d r u g s , f ro m p o l i t i c s t o l i f e s t y l e a n d b e y o n d . We b e l i e v e t h a t t h ro u g h e d u c a t i o n a n d h o n e s t d i s c o u r s e , a c c u r a t e p o l i c y a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g c a n e m e rg e . D O P E M AG A Z I N E i s fo c u s e d o n d e f e n d i n g b o t h o u r p a t i e n t s a n d o u r p l a n t, a n d t o b e i n g a n u n c e a s i n g fo r c e fo r r e v o l u t i o n a r y c h a n g e.

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PROUD MEMBER OF DO P E M a g a z i n e a n d t h e e nt i re c o nte nts of t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n a r e c o p y w r i tt e n b y 2 0 1 6 D O P E M a g a z i n e L LC. A l l r i g hts a re re s e r ve d a n d t h e i n fo r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d h e r e i n m a y n o t b e r e p ro d u c e d i n a n y m a n n e r, i n w h o l e o r i n p a r t, w i t h o u t w r i tt e n p e r m i s s i o n f ro m D O P E M a g a z i n e L L C .

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IKE AN ANTICIPATED SEQUEL, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited to try another OG. My experience, as well as many of my associates, is that OG is best for those with mood and stress related issues, such as PTSD, as well as for those suffering from chronic pain. It has a classic lime and light green color with copper colored pistils that appear to be covered in frost and ice. The first try was an otherworldly visitation to the senses with its balance of pine, earth, and a slight lemon trail. Titan introduced itself with symptoms of calm and chill, then commanded it, and we obeyed. Only a Titan can do that, even to those that answer only to gods.

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PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

edizen offers 17 different products made with organic hybrid, indica, and sativa CO2 oil extractions.

Their line of medicated cannabis candy includes gummies; OG Peach Rings, California Watermelon, Space Worms, and Little Sours; and 5 flavors of Zen Stix, a pixie stick style single dose ingestible. Medizen also offers medicated punches that infuse into water,

NEVER MACHINE TUMBLED, EACH ITEM IS HAND DOSED TO ENSURE DOSAGE ACCURACY.

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HIP JOYNT UNLIMITED D E L I V E R Q U A L I T Y M E D I C I N E T O PAT I E N T S A R O U N D T H E S TAT E WRITER / RON MULLINS

PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO & HIP JOYNT

IP JOYNT UNLIMITED WAS FOUNDED in 2011 to address the lack of services catering to patients with mobility challenges, as well as a need for discretion among patients whose personal life or profession deterred them from storefront patronage. Counselors trained in each aspect of medicinal cannabis take calls and create patient profiles. Delivery personnel arrive in vehicles inspected and certified by Hip Joynt, and can either perform a quick and discrete drop-off service or take the time to answer any questions patients may have. A true farm-to-table company, Hip Joynt crafts a streamlined menu of flowers, edibles, concentrates, and prerolls. Most of which come from farms owned by Hip Joynt, themselves. They offer lab tested, top-quality strains including classics like AK-47, Jack the Ripper, and Mango Kush as well as newer breeds like Purple Killer and Micky Kush. Flowers are meticulously processed, packaged, and labeled for ease of use. There are even fun factoids on the lid! They also carry SkyFire brand edibles with assorted cookies, hard candies, trail mix, and more. In addition, Liquid Flower Extracts DELIVERY AREA: LA AND SURROUNDING AREAS, ORANGE COUNTY, SAN DIEGO 1-888-208-0774 DELIVERY HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY: 11AM-8PM SUNDAY: 11AM-7PM INSTAGRAM: @HIPJOYNT_UNLIMITED TWITTER: @HIP_JOYNT FACEBOOK: HIPJOYNTUNLIMITED HIPJOYNT.COM

"A TRUE FARM-TOTABLE COMPANY, HIP JOYNT CRAFTS A STREAMLINED MENU OF FLOWERS, EDIBLES, CONCENTRATES, AND PRE-ROLLS"

and Laytonville Stumps provide over six types of high THC hash and wax concentrates. Hip Joynt services first hit the roads of the East Bay area in October of 2011. Since that time, they have expanded services into the surrounding areas of South Contra Costa and Alameda counties as well as South Lake Tahoe and the greater Sacramento area including Folsom. Plans to expand into North Los Angeles are expected in 2016, which would make Hip Joynt the first statewide delivery service. Their goal is to keep the signup process simple, the medicine quality high, and the service on a personal level. There are storefront plans for the future, so keep an eye out for a Hip Joynt in your area!

Medical Cannabis Delivery Service

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BUSINESS

WASKA FARMS HEMP MILK N AT U R E ’ S F I N E S T I N G R E D I E N T S WRITER / DEBBY GOLDSBERRY

PHOTO / KEVIN KERR & ASHLEIGH CASTRO

ASKA’S MEDICAL CANNABIS HEMP MILK is among the best products in the marketplace today. Made in Mendocino from organically grown cannabis, their Hemp Milk is crafted using a “secret family recipe”. Brewed by a master craftsman, the products taste purely delicious. “We grow our own cannabis plants from coveted genetics, and manufacture our products with love—all in-house,” said Dylan Pillsbury, founder of Waska Farms. “We consider ourselves cannabis brewers and our brewmaster, Jerry Evans, is a Virginian who moved to California to work in the cannabis industry. His passion for cannabis is demonstrated by his attention for detail.”

Waska Farms has been serving patients for 10 years. “I started Waska in Oakland, CA with my father managing the back of the house, crafting cannabis indoors,” said Pillsbury. “With his visionary artisanship and dedication, he passed down his cultivar knowledge, teaching me master growing techniques. Our father-son dynamic definitely helped me become a success.” Pillsbury’s outdoor cannabis cultivation skills grew over the years, through knowledge and experience. “I started to play with the idea of committing my entire outdoor crop to Waska. Selling flowers was more profitable, but in the long run, I knew building the brand would be more valuable.” Beginning with their original chocowaska, the incredibly

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popular chocolate flavor, Waska has grown to a full line of nine flavors including vanilla, mocha, and strawberry. New to the assortment is their latest flavor, cookies and cream. While the other Waska drinks contain 150 mg of THC per fluid ounce, or 10 mg per capful, cookies and cream is double the strength, with a minimum of 300 mg per bottle. The farm has moved to Mendocino, where Pillsbury manages operations with his partner, Ellen. “Moving out to Mendocino fast-tracked a lot of things for me,” said Pillsbury. “First and foremost is family. Having a family inspired me to work even harder.” To flush out the team, they brought on Carey Grafmiler, director of sales for Waska Farms. “We enjoy being creative and inspire each other every day,” said Pillsbury. “Having the opportunity to create a product that improves people’s quality of life is more humbling than we could imagine, and we feel lucky.” Waska was the first cannabis infused hemp milk product. Pillsbury used edibles himself, so it made sense to create his own medicine. For years, the team has worked on improving the recipes by producing small, handcrafted batches and creating their own proprietary organic extraction system. “From the beginning, we were willing to take the challenges of being at the forefront of a new industry head-on, making changes to stay on top of regulations and being proactive in research and development,” said Pillsbury. This includes working with cannabis testing labs. “We now carry certified seals from both CW Analytical and Steep Hill Laboratories, guaranteeing quality and consistency.” Waska infuses their beverages with raw, fresh, and frozen cannabis flowers from their farm. “We appreciate how working with raw cannabis is crucial to the quality of our products,” said Pillsbury. “By working with our raw cannabis, we keep their valuable cannabinoid profiles intact to include THCA and CBDA. Now we’re excited about THCV, CBC’s and CBG’s.” Waska believes in the importance of strain blending, “we blend our extensive library of indica, sativa, and high CBD plants. This offers a wider range of medicinal benefits by infusing several cannabinoid compounds together,” said Pillsbury. Their motivation continues to be about the patients and the plant. “We grew through a lot of changes in the industry, surviving by not being greedy,” said Pillsbury. Part of this plan is doing edible product demos in California. “I knew that supermarkets had success with product demos and giveaways, so I thought to apply those fundamentals to the industry, which turned out to be an incredibly successful marketing strategy for us.” They served over 9,000 samples in the 215 area of the Emerald Cup last year alone. “We feel honored to be given an opportunity to make our revolutionary new product available to patients,” said Pillsbury. “Keep your eyes out for new swag and special limited releases.” With dispensary wholesale accounts growing fast —from San Diego to Humboldt County—2016 looks like it’s going to be a huge year for Waska Farms.

“I STARTED TO PLAY WITH THE IDEA OF COMMITTING MY ENTIRE OUTDOOR CROP TO WASKA. SELLING FLOWERS WAS MORE PROFITABLE, BUT IN THE LONG RUN, I KNEW BUILDING THE BRAND WOULD BE MORE VALUABLE.”

CANNA NEWS

A W H O L E N EW WOR L D WH EN CANNABIS IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE WRITER / AMBER LEWIS

PHOTO COURTESY OF / RYAN DAY

AIDEN DAY IS A 7-year-old boy who can dig in the dirt, romp outside with his little sister, and wrap his arms around a tree. But just three years ago, Haiden’s body was so racked by convulsions, often over 100 a day, that living the life of a healthy little boy was as impossible as finding the right combination of heavy pharmaceuticals to stop his seizures. Haiden has Dravet syndrome, a rare genetic condition that produces such severe seizures that a child has little chance to develop physically, emotionally, or cognitively. Two years ago, Haiden couldn’t speak. Doctors told his father there were no treatments left to try with Haiden, and his development and health would continue to decline. “When you are a dad, you need to fix problems, that’s how we’re wired,” said Ryan Day. “When your doctor tells you

that there is no way to help your son, it’s a devastating blow. It doesn’t just shatter your hope, it also shatters your identity, because you’ve failed as a father.” Haiden’s five pharmaceutical prescriptions were not working. His seizures were triggered by heat, patterns, and even sunlight, locking him inside his house in a prison of epilepsy. The family lived in Virginia, and Ryan, a former Marine, discovered that cannabis was helping some children with severe epileptic conditions. Soon after, he packed up the family and moved to Washington State. Ryan was able to find cannabis extracts with the right mix of CBD and THC to treat Haiden in Washington, which drastically reduced his seizures and his sensitivity to light. Suddenly, Haiden was able to do things that his family never thought possible, such as verbalizing his needs and wants. Medi-

CANNA NEWS

”MEDICAL CANNABIS OPENED THE DOORS TO THE WORLD FOR HAIDEN, AND GAVE HIM A DRASTICALLY IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE.”

cal cannabis opened the doors to the world for Haiden, and gave him a drastically improved quality of life. Haiden is not alone in his story. There are dozens of children just like him who have found relief from seizures through medical cannabis. However, the patients of Washington are at risk of losing access to the very medicine that saved them, as new regulations constantly alter access to highly specific medical cannabis strains and concentrates. The legislation Gov. Jay Inslee signed in April 2015, intended to shut down unlawful medical marijuana dispensaries by July 1, 2016. It included language that ensured patients whose ailments required the strongest cannabis treatment, known as medical grade cannabis, would continue to have access to their medicine through state-controlled adult-use stores. That same legislation created a much sought-after path for transitioning medical dispensaries that abided by the law over the year into the recreational market. We’re now just a few months away from July 1, and the two state agencies tasked with establishing protocols that ensure medical grade cannabis is available have yet to finalize those rules.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, which is responsible for writing the rules guiding cannabis sales in state-controlled stores, is waiting for the State Department of Health to legally define the characteristics of medical grade cannabis. Once the Department of Health defines medical grade cannabis, the Liquor and Cannabis Board can then establish infrastructure for the growers and processors who provide access to the medicine in retail stores. The Department of Health is likely to insist that medical grade cannabis be grown from seed, not processed from existing flower. Since it takes at least five months to grow from seed and have a product ready for sale, the window has already closed on having seed-grown medical grade cannabis available by July 1. That means kids like Haiden and parents like Ryan might be out of luck. Thankfully, there is an alternative to this bleak outcome. The Department of Health, in conjunction with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, could allow established growers and processors, with proven track records of compliance, to create medical grade cannabis from their existing supply chain. Many producers and processors who are already operating in Washington would be able to meet the stringent standards of the State while providing compassionate care to those most in need. For now, kids like Haiden are waiting.

C O N C E N T R AT E

C H I QU I TA BA NA NA WRITER / RADIOHASH

PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

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VAPES IS RIDING HIGH after being named “Best Personal Vaporizer” at the 2016 HempCon in San Francisco. The company, started in 2015, offers a variety of indica, sativa and hybrid strains. Each pen contains 300, 350 or 500 mg of pure organic cannabis oil extract. The packaging is simple and elegant with great attention to detail, including the eye-catching silver mouthpiece. For those tired of waiting for batteries to charge, W Vapes sells disposable pens that are recyclable and ready to smoke right out of the box. However, the disposable pens are identical in appearance, making it difficult to tell them apart if you have different strains. W Vapes’ Fire OG was my favorite strain to test. It’s a hybrid, and from the first puff I felt the medicine flow to all of the areas I carry stress—particularly in my jaw and shoulders. Fire OG is a perfect anytime concentrate. It leaves you feeling relaxed, happy, and surprisingly clear-headed.

• Steep Hill Labs Inc. in Berkeley tests every extract, results are posted online at wvapes.com in user-friendly charts that show the cannabinoids and terpenes in each concentrate strain • Environmentally friendly, when your disposable pen is finished it can be mailed back to be recycled • Each W Vapes strain is individually extracted with a terpene separation process to ensure a distinct, premium cannabis flavor

W Vape also offers: Silver Haze, Sour OG, Master Kush, Green Crack, Girl Scout Cookies, Head Band, Godfather, Blue Dream, and LA Confidential. For delivery services that carry W Vapes in your area visit wvapes.com/retail-locator AVA I L A B L E AT LOS ANGELES PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS GROUP 7213 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046 (323) 882-6033 LAMEDICALMARIJUANA.COM WHOLE GREENS (DELIVERY ONLY) SANTA ANA, CA 92705 (657) 212-0458 PRICE DISPOSABLES–$40 300MG CARTS–$30 500MG CARTS–$40 PUSH-BUTTON BATTERIES–$15 2-PACK DIRECT INHALE BATTERIES–$20

CANNA-NEWS

CANNA LAW L E G A L I Z AT I O N A N D T H E A D U LT U S E O F M A R I J U A N A A C T WRITER / KELLY VO

“WE ARE INVESTED IN AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS BEEN DEMONIZED FOR DECADES, AND WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK DOWN THE STIGMA AROUND CANNABIS AND TAKE A BIG STEP TOWARDS SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE,” SAID TOMER GRASSIANY, CEO OF THE ART OF EDIBLES.” 016 is California’s year to legalize cannabis, and with multiple initiatives hoping to make it onto the ballot, there’s never been a better time to get informed. To make sure you know the ins and outs of legalization, we’ve compiled a four-part series, which began last month with an overview of the major initiatives. In this month’s part two, we’re discussing why legalization is important and looking at the leading initiative, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Part three will look at some concerns surrounding the legalization of cannabis and how it could affect the medical marijuana market, while part four will offer insight into the current cannabis market and advice on how to vote. To uncover the truth about legalization, we spoke with three cannabis experts about this multifaceted issue. For Tomer Grassiany, CEO of The Art of Edibles, the legalization of cannabis is about improving the industry and changing perceptions. “We are invested in an industry that has been demonized for decades, and we have a unique opportunity to break down the stigma around cannabis and take a big step towards social acceptance,” said Grassiany. “If done well, legalization can help diminish black market activity, decrease distribution and sale to minors, and help to ensure a clean and safe product reaches the consumer. It is also our hope that legalization will help ensure proper testing and labeling of all cannabis products, help prevent unnecessary and costly Federal raids, and provide relief to anyone in jail for a cannabis related felony or misdemeanor, as well as to the system and state which has to pay for their imprisonment.” Daniel Shortt, a legal intern at Harris Moure in Seattle Washington, sees cannabis legalization in California as a stepping-stone. “In fact, according to World Bank, if California were a country, it would have the eighth largest economy in the world,” Shortt said. “California legalization could influence the entire country, and, in my mind, it’s a major domino that needs to fall in the fight for legalization at the federal level.” As for Lynne Lyman, the California State Director for the Drug Policy Alliance, the legalization of cannabis is not a drug issue; it’s a social issue. “13,000 felony marijuana arrests happen every year in California. Of those felony arrests, the vast majority are African-American and Latino young men,” shared Lyman. “So, it’s clear, marijuana prohibition is still having a detrimental impact on people of color. They are still being targeted, arrested, convicted, and incarcerated for engaging in marijuana use, sales, and cultiva-

tion at the same levels as white people. This is a racial justice issue. Neither medical marijuana nor decriminalization have reduced the racially disparate impact of marijuana prohibition. That’s what we hope to do with full legalization.” With these three separate and yet connected cannabis legalization issues at stake, will the leading initiative, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, make an impact? The California Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom, and former Facebook President, Sean Parker, seem to think so, but how about our experts? “AUMA lays out a well-regulated cannabis marketplace,” said Shortt. “There are a few things that stand out. First, this initiative allows for ‘home grows. Second, the bill leaves open the possibility of having ‘cannabis clubs’ where adults could consume cannabis at an establishment similar to a bar, but with cannabis instead of alcohol. These are both major flaws of Washington’s market. Third, AUMA allows prior cannabis crime expungement, where individuals may get sentences reduced or eliminated for cannabis charges that are no longer crimes.” Lyman also supports AUMU. “There’s a lot I love about the initiative,” said Lyman. “One of the things we did intentionally is that we made it flexible, so that things that need to be changed can be changed in the future by the legislature. I also think the fact that we got $50 million a year to go into the community is a huge win. It’s the first initiative to ever do something like this.” As for Grassiany, he’s still looking into the initiative, but he has some concerns. “I want to get behind an initiative that would work towards breaking the stigma around cannabis, and that will be based on actual science and research, rather than outdated scare tactics and misinformation,” said Grassiany. “I would find it hard to support a bill that would treat cannabis much harsher than alcohol, especially when added restrictions contribute more to stigma than to enforcing a proven safety standard.” Clearly there’s a lot to love about the legalization of cannabis in California, but it’s not all chocolates and dabs. Next month we’ll dive into legalization’s effect on the medical market and some concerns regarding the current legislation and initiatives.

THE ADULT USE OF MARIJUANA ACT IS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY SUPPORTED CALIFORNIA CANNABIS INITIATIVES IN 2016. IT WOULD EMPOWER CALIFORNIA VOTERS TO END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IN 2016 AND REPLACE IT WITH A SYSTEM WHERE MARIJUANA WOULD BE REGULATED, TAXED, AND TREATED SIMILARLY TO ALCOHOL.

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CANNA NEWS

420 I N S O CA L FUN WAYS TO SPEND THE DAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRITER / C. IMANI WILLIAMS

n Southern California, we’ll be celebrating 4/20 in the sun. If you haven’t attended a SoCal 4/20 event before, 2016 is your year! Visit your favorite dispensary or check out one of the newer spots in your area. Many will be offering great 4/20 deals and freebies—some spots even host parties with music and prizes. Make sure your paperwork is up to date and get your party on!

HO S T A 4/2 0 G I G

T H ROW A BON F IR E PA RT Y AT T H E B EAC H

VIS IT A DAB BAR

Consider hosting a 4/20 gig and inviting your smoking friends. No need for an elaborate sit-down dinner. Instead, consider asking folks to bring something for the table, like sides and desserts, because if you’re toking, good food is an absolute must! Fire up the grill, turn up the music and celebrate a worry-free day.

For those who enjoy the beach, consider a bonfire at Dockweiler State Park in Playa Del Rey—one of the only beaches in SoCal where visitors can light a legal bonfire. Arrive early to claim a spot, pull out the volleyball, and you’re set to go. Unlike the club scene, there is no cover to get in and you can still bring a DJ to spin tunes. The Pacific Ocean provides the perfect backdrop for blazing. Get high, eat, and relax. Weekday parking is $6 to $8 and Dockweiler is open until 10 p.m.

A dab bar is like a regular bar, but instead of alcohol they serve concentrates. The tender behind the bar operates the torch, which turns butane hash oil into a vapor. The dab tenders are knowledgeable about the product and will guide you toward a successful experience. Dab bars are full of friendly people there specifically to help you enjoy yourself.

However you decide to spend 4/20, make it memorable. As always, remember to light up and consume responsibly.

CANNAB IS T R E AS U R E HU NT

4/20 is a great time to build up your cannabis back stock by taking advantage of the many 4/20 specials and freebies. Check out Weedmaps and make the rounds to three or four spots, meet the staff, and grab your goodies. A cannabis treasure hunt is an excellent opportunity to experience first hand the wide selection of edibles available on the market in southern California.

C OM MU N I TY LOVE

For people you know who aren’t willing or able to leave the house on 4/20, consider showing some community love and dropping by. Share some tea, a toke and strike up a conversation. What better way is there to celebrate the cannabis community than making time for those who are a little more isolated. Spreading the love is just straight up good karma.

CANNA NEWS

I N F O GR A P H I C BY / KELLI BROWN

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CANNA-NEWS

W H AT TO DO W H E N YO U DO TOO M U C H A LOOK AT WAYS TO PREVENT AND TREAT ACUTE MARIJUANA PSYCHOSIS WRITER / SCOTT PEARSE

IRST, LET’S JUST GET THIS STRAIGHT—medical marijuana is safe. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2014 over 25,000 people died as a result of prescription drug overdose. In recorded medical history, the number of cannabis overdose deaths is zero. In fact, it is theorized that a patient would have to ingest 20,000 to 40,000 times the normal dose of cannabis to have even a 50% chance of dying. We’re talking about consuming 1,500 pounds of cannabis in 15 minutes. Cannabis’ safety is not an invitation to push yourself to the edge. It is still possible to over consume, and while not a risk to your physical health, it can certainly lead to nightmare experiences. Posts from the experienceproject.org forums reveal a pattern of adverse effects after consuming ill-considered levels of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. User Lifeguard16 reported the common fear that effects may be permanent, “I just sat there and kept thinking I was on a permanent bad trip and I was going to be stuck like this forever.” Tylerjames95 reportedly suffered an existential crisis, “My main panic was judging whether or not I’m real and if I even exist.” An acute overdose of THC usually consists of panic reactions and a limited psychosis, however both symptoms will alleviate on their own with no medical intervention necessary. These experiences are often linked to consuming cannabis edibles when it is much easier to ingest large amounts of THC making its effects more difficult to predict. When smoked, the therapeutic effects of cannabis are nearly instant. Consumed orally, the same effect may take up to an hour to appear. During this time, it is common for patients, especially those that are inexperienced,

to continue to consume. In response to a now infamous article by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, in which she visited Denver and over consumed edibles to the point of not being able to leave her hotel room, the Marijuana Policy Project released a billboard urging recreational users to start low and go slow. “Like most Americans, Ms. Dowd has probably seen countless silly anti-marijuana ads on TV, but she never saw one that highlights the need to ‘start low and go slow’ when consuming marijuana edibles,” said Mason Tvert, Marijuana Policy Project director hof communications.

THC INTOXICATION Just like any other medication, many factors can alter the effects experienced from medical marijuana, including tiredness, mental state, and how much you have eaten before medicating. The system with which our bodies absorb cannabinoids is split into two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are highly concentrated in brain regions governing the circuitry of psychosis and cognitive function.

CANNA-NEWS

DR. RAW ORGANICS CBD TINCTURE Using the hot alcohol extraction method, San Diego’s Dr. Raw Organics produces this CBD tincture using a homegrown, high CBD strain named ACDC. This CBD extract is handy to have around if you find yourself in a situation of over consumption, however, the anxiety and panic relieving effects are not felt immediately.

CBD BALANCE ONE 1:1 TINCTURE From The Venice Cookie Co, this tincture is a blend of 125mg each THC and CBD from the greenest beach in Southern California.

LEMON RIND Lemon juice has been considered an antidote for cannabis intoxication since the 10th century, but is thought to be most effective when the limonene rich rind is added. As the name suggests, limonene can be identified on limonene heavy strains by a lemony scent, such as Lemon Haze or Jack Herer. Much like CBD, it has anti-anxiety qualities. It has a long reputation as a morning after cure, but will also ease symptoms for those experiencing an excessive high.

"JUST LIKE ANY OTHER MEDICATION, MANY FACTORS CAN ALTER THE EFFECTS EXPERIENCED FROM MEDICAL MARIJUANA, INCLUDING TIREDNESS, MENTAL STATE, AND HOW MUCH YOU HAVE EATEN BEFORE MEDICATING.”

BLACK PEPPER Black pepper offers mental clarity through high levels of pinene, which is also found in many sativa strains. Neil Young was quoted as telling Howard Stern to “try chewing black pepper balls if you get paranoid”. An interesting version of this treatment involves the use of black pepper essential oil, contained in a vile to keep from evaporating. Add sea salt to the oil to create fragrant aromatherapy that will help keep you calm while your body and mind recover.

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