NOR CAL | OCTOBER 2015 | ISSUE #5 | THE HEALTH ISSUE | FREE
STRAIN SEA TRAIN
CONCENTRATE EXODUS CHEESE
EDIBLES BLACK CHERRY WASKA
BAY AREA DISPENSARY PATIENT’S CARE COLLECTIVE BERKELEY
BRANDING BUD
The Consumerization of Cannabis
VENICE BEACH
Embracing Cannabis Culture
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITOR’S NOTE
OCTOBER 2015 THE HEALTH ISSUE ISSUE 05
10
12
SACRAMENTO DISPENSARY
EDIBLES
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
WASKA BLACK CHERRY
SEA TRAIN
14 ABATIN WELLNESS CENTER SACRAMENTO
20 CANNA-NEWS GREEN D.C. MEETUPS
24 BRANDING BUD HEALTH THE ESSENCE OF BRAND
38
BAY AREA DISPENSARY PCC
26
42 CANNA-NEWS #END420SHAME
CANNA-NEWS
JOSH STANLEY
CANNABUSINESS
KOEOVA EDIBLES
32 BIG DATA GOES GREEN
46
PRODUCT
50
EXXUS TWIST CONCENTRATE VAPORIZER
VENICE BEACH
62
52 FEATURE
MELISSA ETHERIDGE
72 HEALTH
AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE WITH DR. SEETA NARSAI
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Just before going to print, news broke that Governor Jerry Brown came to agreement with legislators on a package of three bills that will establish comprehensive regulations for the cannabis industry in California for the first time since legal therapeutic cannabis was established here twenty years ago. This legislation package calls for seventeen types of business licenses to be established, including ten types of cultivation permits for growing, two different licenses for edibles, and licenses for testing labs, distributors, and transporters.
They intend to enact water use limits on growers. Put simply, it takes a good amount of water to grow quality cannabis, and regulating water use may be a problem in terms of sacrificing quality or the purity of a grow.
ROAD TRIP
FOREST BATHING
I also sit down for an illuminating talk with Dr Seeta Narsai, an Ayurvedic Doctor who lectures on the Ayurvedic health benefits of using cannabis.
There are some onerous rules in the package, including a possible death sentence for delivery services not tied to specific dispensaries; some say existing services may be grandfathered in, but this remains to be seen.
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CANNA-NEWS HEALTH
This month is our Health Issue, and we have some great feature stories exploring therapeutic cannabis from a number of perspectives. We look at growing cannabis with fewer chemicals, explore cannabis and employment issues, address medical discrimination against cannabis patients, and continue our hashtag campaign #End420Shame.
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In a recent statement, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom says these new therapeutic cannabis regulations will also pave the way for recreational cannabis legalization in 2016. This begs the question whether California should indeed pass fullscale recreational legalization, or if we should double down on therapeutic/ medicinal cannabis, regulating the industry and continuing pioneering efforts to discover the many medicinal benefits of the magnificent cannabis plant. Evan Kopelson, California State Director
PRESIDENT
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
EVAN CARTER
SHARON LETTS DAVID BAILEY
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
DAVE HODES
JAMES ZACHODNI
DEBBY GOLDSBERRY
STATE DIRECTOR
KIMBERLY CARGILE
EVAN KOPELSON
RADIOHASH
ART DIRECTOR BRANDON PALMA GRAPHIC DESIGN
RON MULLINS ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER NARISSA-CAMILLE PHETHEAN
CHARM DOMACENA CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
RON MULLINS
ALLIE BECKETT
CAL GREENFIELD
AD DESIGN
ASHLEIGH CASTRO
RYAN CATABAY
ADAM RITZ GEOFFREY DONNE
MANAGING EDITOR/COPY EDITOR ALISON BAIRD
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
ONLINE EDITOR
DOPE is a free publication dedicated to providing an informative and wellnessminded voice to the cannabis movement. While our foundation is the medical cannabis industry, it is our intent to provide ethical and research-based articles that address the many facets of the war on drugs, from politics to lifestyle and beyond. We believe that through education and honest discourse, accurate policy and understanding can emerge. DOPE Magazine is focused on defending both our patients and our plant, and to being an unceasing force for revolutionary change.
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DOPE Magazine and the entire contents of this magazine are copyright 2015 DOPE MAGAZINE LLC, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or part without the written permission from Dope Magazine LLC
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PUBLISHED IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98109 “ M E D I C AT I N G
W I T H C A N N A B I S S AV E D M Y L I F E ”
D E F E N D I N G O U R P L A N T E V E RY W H E R E
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STRAIN OF THE MONTH
WRITER •RON MULLINS
PHOTOS • ASHLEIGH CASTRO
SEA TRAIN LOOKS
THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS
Buds are oblong and conical tipped, indicative of a sativa but chunky and dense with a thick coat of auburn pistols. Like many CBD rich strains it has an earthy, ruddy color dappled with muted green flecks. CBD strains are not bred for beauty; they get the job done quickly and effectively, which is something even more attractive.
Many patients have claimed a reduction in anxiety and depression while avoiding overt psychoactive effects, and strains rich in CBD are becoming wellreceived by patients. Due to the absence of THC, the lack of “high” was previously mistaken for lack of therapeutic effect. Now CBD strains are becoming a common answer for people with a myriad of ailments, including seizures, nausea, and even cancer.
AROMA
While most CBD meds are not bred for their cosmetic value, Sea Train actually smells and tastes better than a lot of CBD rich flowers I have encountered. In the container, it has a sweet, fruity, and mildly fermented aroma. The smell while smoking is spicy and musky. This tastes pleasant and comforting, more so than a lot of CBD rich flowers I have encountered.
EFFECT Though most sativa strains can keep people awake keep you awake, they may inhibit clarity resulting in some scattered thinking. Delivering pain relief and relaxation with little to no head high, Sea Train delivers a general sense of calm and well-being without a heavy psychoactive impact.
GENETICS
FLAVOR
Sweet, Sea Train first hits you with a fresh pine, rosemary flavor and a light fruitiness. It has an allspice undertone and a faint, yet pleasant ginger aftertaste. The overall flavor is light, subtle, and lingering. Often times, high CBD strains can have a slight “barnyard” taste, but Sea Train’s sweetness is light, and quite enjoyable.
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0.69% THC 15.78% CBD • TESTED AT • Sequoia
In 2010, Nevada City cannabis advocate Harry Bennett partnered with one of the first CBD cannabis breeders in Northern California. Their success inspired Bennett’s new company, Floracy. By combining Cole Train, an awardwinning Dutch strain from DNA Genetics (Train Wreck and Super Silver Haze genetics) with Otto #1 (another Train Wreck descendant with Thai attributes) to create Sea Train, a high yielding, feminized, sativa-dominant strain with a 25:1 CBD to THC ratio was created.
EDIBLES
WRITER •RADIOHASH
PHOTOS • ASHLEIGH CASTRO
A New High CBD Waska has arrived: Black Cherry…Sweet!
TRY BLACK CHERRY WASKA IN OTHER WAYS:
C
HOCOWASKA HAS been
a favorite in California for years now, and they haven’t stopped adding to their unique line. Ever since their first Chocolate Chocowaska, they continue to deliver new tasty ways to consume potent medical grade cannabis. Their newest: High-CBD Black Cherry. The first sip was a burst of creamy black cherry, strong in its sweetness until the cannabis peppered the taste, announcing its inherent potency.
The container is about two shot glasses and this writer decided to do one shot first, and
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the second two hours later. Like the cannabis strain used, AC/DC is said by many to hold some similarities to a pain reliever, bringing on a subtle warm feeling that starts behind the head, ears, and neck. Some report muscle tension relief similar to a muscle relaxer, but without the psychoactive effect. Their canister has undergone an evolution, with options ranging from a small lotion bottle to a canister that resembles an energy tonic. For those who have not experienced the Waska line, they grow their organic cannabis sustainably, under the sun as nature intended. Proudly gluten-free and vegan, they use only hemp milk in their products.
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It makes delicious syrup on a coconut based ice cream sundae. It’s a delicious addition to beverages and as a nice coffee creamer. Kiss hangovers goodbye and substitute this for alcohol in your favorite fruity drink. You can find Waska products in collectives all over the Bay (North, East and South) such as Greene Door, Grass Roots, Telegraph Health Center, as well as dispensaries in the Central Valley, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Orange County.
SACRAMENTO DISPENSARY
WRITER •RON MULLINS
PHOTOS • ASHLEIGH
CASTRO
Abatin Wellness Center Sacramento Hands on Patient Education with Top Quality Meds
S
INCE OPENING nearly five years ago Abatin (Ah-bae-tin) Wellness Center has built a reputation for excellent patient care in Sacramento. Located in the upper part of midtown, its proximity to a hub of major freeways makes it a prime location for the greater Sacramento area. Abatin won SN&R’s Best Service Award in 2014 for their hands-on education, enabling patients to make informed choices. The waiting room is sleek and modern with tile art embedded in the walls. The check-in procedure is pretty standard and within minutes I was ready to go. I was greeted by a counselor who gave me a quick rundown of the club policies. “Abatin believes in patient education and empowerment,” he informed me. They provide a variety of tools for patients to achieve this, including a database compiled of numerous cannabis studies, research papers and testimonials from other patients on how cannabis has benefitted them. We sat at a counseling station and I shared my conditions as we went over their menu to decide what would work best for my needs. I learned about their “Minimally Processed, Minimally Handled” or MPMH flowers. Exclusive varieties are grown for Abatin locally to insure minimal transport and handling and to cutting down on deterioration; these include OG Legend, Trainwreck, and Classic Purps. After my questions were answered, I was led into the dispensing area, armed with a sheet of test results called Phytofacts. Samples of their thirty plus strains are on hand to see and smell, andthey range from $15 - $55 donation per 1/8 oz before tax. Everything
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“Abatin believes in patient education and empowerment.� needed is contained in their various displays including pens, pipes, papers, and vaporizers. Abatin is proud to offer a huge selection of smoke free cannabis products. They stock more than twenty brands of edibles, including Planet Honey, Cheeba Chew, and Edipure. They also carry an array of capsules, topicals, tinctures, and even transdermal pain patches. The counselor also suggested a topical for my shoulder, so I decided to try the C.A.D. pain cream with 95mg of CBD for a $40 donation. I also picked up an 1/8 oz of OG Legend for a $55 donation and a Koala T Eddies, White Chocolate Oatmeal cookie with a whopping 220mg for a mere $10 donation, all totaling $118 donation with taxes. I left there feeling more knowledgeable and, indeed, more empowered. I recommend any patient who wants to learn more about cannabis, proper doses, and more effective strains give Abatin a try.
2100 29th Street, Sacramento CA Hours: 10AM to 8PM (Daily) www.abatinsacramento.com
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CANNA-BUSINESS
WRITER •DEBBY GOLDSBERRY
K IVA C ONFECTIONS
K
IVA CONFECTIONS founders, Scott Palmer and Kristi Knoblich, are two of the kindest people in the cannabis business today, unassuming, ethical, and socially responsible. They met in 2004, while attending photography school, and ended up growing a couple of cannabis plants together. After visiting a few dispensaries, they realized that a market existed for an edible product that was “healthy and safe” and labeled with cannabinoid content. At that time, most food-based products were still packaged in plastic wrap, with no ingredient or dosage information on the label. They launched Kiva’s first products in 2010, 60 mg dark and milk chocolate bars, and got their first big account at Elemental Wellness of San Jose. The line quickly expanded to include their 180 mg strength bars, featuring flavors like Tangerine, Blackberry, and Mint. “We knew we wanted to make a high quality edible, and were looking for the right medium,” Scott says. “Kristi and I looked at a lot of potential products before choosing chocolate. We were not experienced chocolatiers, but we were avid fans, and had a lot of trial and error to start.” They travelled to the middle of Ohio, where they were lucky to gain the mentorship of a master chocolate maker at a 100-year-old factory. This was particularly important for the development of their High Times Cannabis Cup winning chocolate covered espresso beans, Terra Bites. As Scott explains, “There’s a lot of artistry that goes into them, and even though the process isn’t complicated, it has to be consistent every single time.”
Kiva makes delicious products. “Yes, we love cannabis,” Scott says, “but when we work on a new product it has to taste like really great food. You only get one chance with patients, and if you don’t have a good product you will lose their trust.” Craft packaging helps Kiva stand out in a crowded marketplace. “Cannabis is a product of the earth, and it’s a natural medicine.” Scott says, “Chocolate is a very similar pure product. We wanted to carry that through to
the Kiva packaging, earthy and natural.” Their packaging features recycled materials and soy based ink. Scott says, “It is about the company ethos. We are trying to be conscious and take a holistic approach to our impact, including how we treat our customers and employees.” With 50 employees in California, and with products on the shelves at 700 dispensaries across the state, they are succeeding. “As you grow, it is important to have a positive impact with what you are doing,” Scott says. “Treating employees and customers the right way is essential. We rely heavily on our team, and they get a ton of credit for keeping our mission true.”
PHOTOS • PROVIDED BY KIVA
A Kind Company
Blueberry Terra Bites are Scott’s favorite product. He says, “We were looking for a product that was a little more convenient for dosing.” Each blueberry is coated in 5 mg of cannabis chocolate, with 120 mgs total in a full tin, so patients can easily self titrate the product to their specific needs. With their newest confection, a high CBD chocolate bar, they knew it was important to source their cannabis from small, ethical farmers. So, he and Kristi travelled to northern California, meeting growers in Mendocino County who use holistic growing techniques like permaculture. “There are a number of people there who have been growing their own strains without knowing the cannabinoid content,” Scott says, “and thru trial and error, they grew plants with special healing properties. It was only after testing came online that they realized they were breeding high CBD strains, inadvertently growing this amazing medicine.” Kiva is looking forward to the legalization of cannabis in California. “The fact that it is not legal for recreational use is preventing people from using medical cannabis,” Scott says. “More patients will come on board, once prohibition is not creating fear,” but after Proposition 19’s slim loss in 2012, he knows this is not a sure win. Regardless, Kiva has a huge future ahead. They are already in two dispensaries in Arizona, and have plans to expand to Nevada in 2016. Right now, they are looking for the “next big state,” which may mean Colorado, Washington, Nevada, or Oregon; but no matter where they go, you can be sure that they will spread the kindness.
“They travelled to the middle of Ohio, where they were lucky to gain the mentorship of a master chocolate maker at a 100-year-old factory.”
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CANNA-NEWS EAST COAST
WRITER •DAVE HODES
Cannabis Arrives on DC Social Scene
C
ANNABIS IS legal in D.C., the seat of the federal government. That’s huge - but there are trap doors everywhere. To consume it on federal land is prohibitted, which is about 21% of the ten square miles of the district, and includes such likely light-up spots as Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park near the Adams Morgan district.
To consume it as a federal employee still makes one subject to urine analysis, especially federal employees with security clearance. Consuming publicly is the usual no, but also is buying it legally if you are not a medical patient. No one can say when this will change, and as time goes on more and more people are determined to sort through this mess in this wound-tight city full of uber-discrete keepers of national and international secrets. If the DC city council has their way, advocates say buy-
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ing it legally and smoking it at a café attached to your local bar won’t happen until 2017 or later. That delay is the result of an emergency measure passed just five days after cannabis went legal in the district on February 26th. The measure is now up for renewal or expiration; if renewed, it will become a permanent law and the subject of yet another advocacy fight with city leaders. Adam Eidinger, the guy who led the legalization effort in the district, says that they are seeking to reenergize their movement around this new issue. “The deal is they will pass a law that will keep Washington D.C. from turning into Amsterdam; that is literally the way that the politicians are talking about it to each other,” he says. Bar patrons in the district regularly report the smell of cannabis hanging over bar on weekend nights at restaurant hotspots in and around Georgetown, DuPont Circle and Adams Morgan.
The fear of arrest factor has clearly diminished here, but there are people who want clarity on the issue; they’re moving the discussion to a more common sense understanding of what this plant is, what it does, and how it can and will fit into the mainstream of life in D.C. There are eight DC based cannabis-related meetup groups now with memberships steadily growing, three of which are organized by independent lobbyist Evan Bergwall. In March, the DC Marijuana and Cannabis has its meetup with 208 members, DC Marijuana and Cannabis Events meetup gathers with 172 members, and the Washington Marijuana Cannabis Policy holds a meetup with 53 members. Bergwall worked on the hill for seven years as a lobbyist then moved into government consulting work. He now lobbies on tax, banking, and commerce issues related to cannabis.
etables. An event as American as apple pie, it recently added a best bud competition for the first time in its five year history. “When cannabis was legalized in the district earlier this year, I said right off the bat ‘we have to have a competition of some kind at the fair this year,’” explains Mark Perry, a compost grower and the coordinator of the competition. The event quickly filled up to capacity, with 47 registered contestants. Judges will touch, smell and examine buds with microscopes in their decision-making process; no cannabis will be consumed. At the meetup, Phillips says she thinks people still view cannabis people as stoners zoning out for hours, “But if you look around this room today a majority of us just came from our nine to five jobs,” she says. “We are absolutely a group of professionals, with different interests and skills, and I think DC is going to be one of the communities that really drives the future for this industry.”
Expecting to launch the first meetup in October, Bergwall explains “I’ve had alot of requests for meetups and people trying to do event things.” He explains that it’s really about finding good venues to host in, where cannabis can be consumed. “[Cannabis smokers] can’t be outdoors in public spaces. They can’t be at bars and restaurants. They can’t really be at offices unless they own the whole building. So what they are left with is a bunch of people invited into a home.” One of the goals of his meetups is to show legislators how cannabis is being woven into the social fabric of the city, and he’s hoping to change perceptions. “One of my biggest objectives is to make the cannabis case and talk about it and work through the halls of Congress,” he says. “Members of Congress have to feel safe from a political standpoint, and they have to know the industry is viable.” The social cannabis pioneers here are handling mainstreaming with kid gloves, taking things one step at a time, while presenting it first as the huge business opportunity it is. One DC meetup in early September, the DC chapter of the Denverbased Women Grow, showcases the cannabis grow products of Brielle Pettinelli, a biologist and agriculturist, to a group of thirty interested cannabis entrepreneurs at a U street restaurant. Sponsoring the meetup is DC based Canna Party, LLC, and its founder Chris Steinke. Canna Party is a cannabis catering service that provides everything for your cannabis party – except the cannabis.
The event organizer and event strategist, Caroline Phillips, with a background in politics and human rights work, says that the important thing to remember is the activism spirit in D.C. “I think that part of the social fabric in D.C. really is grounded in advocacy groups,” she says. “Before marijuana was legal in D.C. it was the advocacy groups, like the Marijuana Policy Project, that were able to bring people that didn’t know each other together,” she says. Another small step forward: The D.C. State Fair on September 12, a festival featuring competitions for home-growers of produce and veg-
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Aroma and Resin Enricher
BRANDING BUD
BRANDING BUD The Consumerization of Cannabis
S BOB Marley the next Marlboro Man? Will there be a ‘Cannabis Section’ at Whole Foods in the near future? Will Aveda® or Dr. Bronners® create a line of “relaxing” THC infused body lotions? Branding and marketing expert David Paleschuck will take a critical look at the current state of legal US cannabis products, packaging and positioning with a new regular column on branding, packaging & the positioning of cannabis products in the marketplace.
discover what fuels their inspiration and makes their products recognizable; we’ll also look at what amplifies their differentiation, and what makes their big ideas and concepts meaningful and accessible. A focus on a brand’s disparate elements can illuminate how it unifies them into whole systems. We’ll also assess the disciplined process used to build brand awareness and extend customer loyalty, improve image and perception, create preference for products or services, and increase participation and market share.
Who exactly is “the cannabis consumer”? What’s their lifestyle(s)? What brands speak to them, and is there just one type of cannabis consumer? Are the images of Cheech & Chong; Harold & Kumar; Willy Nelson & Snoop Dog stereotyping cannabis smokers? And to push even further, is “smoking” itself a stereotype of cannabis consumption?
Further, we’ll seek to examine the multitude of brand tenets and pillars - a company’s ideals - which should hold true whether the brand is launching, creating a new product or service, repositioning, or creating a retail presence. Other areas to be explored are vision, meaning, authenticity, differentiation, sustainability, coherence, flexibility, commitment, and value.
Designed to examine this new product segment, ‘Branding Bud’ will examine the multitude of emerging brands, their creative assets and the strategies behind them. We’ll also focus on a multitude of branding, packaging & positioning aspects affecting cannabis and non-cannabis consumers, cannabis manufacturers, cannabis retailers, and the general public.
Lastly, we’ll put this information into context by making it relevant for both consumers & those watching the industry develop across the national landscape.
From sustainability to childproof, protective packaging, we’ll cover current branding trends and packaging requirements as they change and evolve. The column will review the leading cannabis branded products - and the latest technologies being utilized to package them. We’ll critique brands and their identities, and in doing so,
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It is the author’s hope and objective to help those using cannabis-based products to better understand the inspiration behind them, meet the manufacturers & designers that make them, and see the processes that are in motion in creating these products. Upcoming ‘Branding Bud’ column topics include, “Canna-Brands Most Often Used Color”; “Sustainable Cannabis Design”; Packaging Differences: Stateby-State; “Back To The Future: Creating Nostalgic Brands”; among others.
WRITER • DAVID PALESCHUCK, MBA, CLS
GRAPHICS • CHARM DOMACENA
“ From sustainability to childproof, protective packaging, we’ll cover current branding trends and packaging requirements as they change and evolve.”
“ Need Pull Quote”
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HEALTH
WRITER •DAVID HODES
PHOTO • LESTER MILLMAN
In Focus: Josh Stanley
“Things are changing… due to a certain level of civil disobedience on the part of the citizens of the world because they are saying, “Wait a second, this therapeutic cannabis works for me, this works for my child. Why can’t I use it?”
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T
HE FOUNDER of Citiva Medical, an ongoing medical marijuana research organization and provider of cannabinoid medicine, Josh Stanley continues to be one of the driving forces pushing for advances in the medical marijuana business. Stanley is co-credited with creating “Charlotte’s Web”, and with breeding a non-psychoactive strain of the cannabis plant with low THC and high CBD. In 2010, he assisted in the drafting of Colorado House Bill 1284, the first bill of its kind to further define and establish Colorado’s medicinal cannabis state regulatory structure through the Colorado Department of Revenue. The following year he co-authored the research and development portion of Colorado House Bill 1043. Stanley also sat on the rules and regulations board of the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, as well as that organization’s rules and regulations board for research and development. More recently, Stanley decided to pursue new ventures in the global cannabis industry and, in 2014, founded Strains of Hope, a non-profit dedicated to assisting global principalities in the implementation of responsible regulations for local medicinal cannabis industries and funding of further research. Needless to say, we were extremely lucky to catch up with him recently and get his current take on things…
Dope: How do you expect the acceptance and growth of the industry to play out in terms of therapeutic cannabis and cannabis in general being treated as another agriculture commodity? JS: What I do and what my company does is work with governments around the world. I am focusing on developing nations, because at the heart of these developing nations is agriculture. What they are lacking right now are new agricultural commodities. The demand for cannabinoid replacement therapy, or CRT, is going to help move cannabis into large scale, good agricultural practice using organic farming techniques, and make no mistake about it – that is the future.
Dope: You have stated in presentations that what people are calling medical marijuana is not really medical marijuana. Can you explain that?
Josh Stanley: It’s an incorrect term. It’s really therapeutic cannabis. In order to call something medical, it has to be able to be standardized, and if you can’t measure something, how are you going to study it? If you can’t standardize it, how in the hell are you going to brand it?
Dope: I have seen some pharmaceutical company representation at cannabis trade shows, but nothing to indicate that those companies are doing anything now but sitting on the sidelines. What’s your take on that? JS: Big Pharma is the largest lobby in the world. They are bigger than oil. So you’re damn right that they are involved in the cannabis business. What they are looking at is how to standardize this and take this into the medicinal realm. The days of single compound isolate synthetic medications that they make are coming to an end. Pharmaceutical companies are scared of multi-compound drugs like cannabis because it’s very difficult to patent them; it’s very difficult to own them, but these are brands that people in the cannabis industry can begin to own and begin to bring to market.
Dope: Why do pharmaceutical companies develop single compound isolate synthetics?
JS: They create one drug so that they can create two drugs to counteract the side effect of that one drug. It becomes a profit-care industry and not a health-care industry. Those times are changing, and they are changing due to a certain level of civil disobedience on the part of the citizens of the world because they are saying, “Wait a second, this therapeutic cannabis works for me, this works for my child. Why can’t I use it?”
Dope: What do you see as the potential future of cannabis for medical use over the next two to three years?
JS: I am following clinical study protocols and we are going to release some clinical studies that are going to blow the world away. So once this information is out there, there is going to be a race about how fast we can grow and produce this plant. Then in five years you are going to see CRT in just about everyone’s medicine cabinet as a preventative medicine. It’s going to really be something.
Dope: When do you think these treatments using cannabis might become more widely accepted, possibly becoming mainstream medicine?
JS: We in this country have a huge responsibility to the general public to do no harm. Not only to do no harm but to do what is right. We as a country haven’t done that for decades and decades upon decades. Now we have the opportunity to do what’s right, and so the very fact that our government and these agencies like the DEA have fought the efficacy in this and brought out the– well, let’s call it what it is- lies – they’ve created their own problem. You wouldn’t have this medical cannabis issue now involved in so many political elections, but they created this monster. Now they are asking it to go away..
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GROW
TERPENES AND H EALTH More Than Just Tantalizing to the Senses
A
N EXCITING time in the field of cannabis phar-
macology finally arrives! It was not too many years ago that many of us within the cannabis community assumed that particular sesquiterpenes, called cannabinoids, were the only psychoactive constituent found in Cannabis sativa L. What is being discovered recently however, is that terpenes (the essential oils responsible for delightfully attractive olfactory hues) are believed to be psychoactive in many ways and contain unique healing properties. With new research emerging almost daily regarding the curative properties of cannabinoids (THC, THC-A, CBD, CBG, etc.), many people have been under a false assumption that these compounds are the only components of pharmacological interest. Thanks to an increase in laboratory testing and standards, full terpenoid profiles have become common, leading to a terpene revolution of sorts. Perhaps one of the most interesting facets of the terpene efficacy discussion is all endogenous cannabis terpenes have been evaluated for their safety by the FDA as individual components. Compounds deemed safe by the FDA are given the designation GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and can then be lawfully distributed and used in consumable products. Since these compounds have been so heavily scrutinized by experts, much has been discovered about their pharmacological activity in the process. Another fascinating tidbit is that cannabinoids and terpenes interact synergistically – phenomena referred to as the “Entourage Effect”. Put simply: The healing potential of cannabinoids and terpenes together is greater than the sum of its individual components. What health benefits can be expected from terpene consumption? Let’s examine some of the most commonly encountered cannabis terpenes and the efficacy of their consumption. Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg, with over 400 compounds discovered thus far in cannabis, a plethora are known to be terpenoid. As analytical testing becomes an ever increasingly “the norm,” and legal barriers preventing research are finally being lifted, we can all look forward to a better understanding very soon regarding this wonderful polypharmaceutical that is cannabis.
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α-Pinene Another excellent anti-inflammatory terpenoid found in cannabis. The mode of anti-inflammatory action is through activation of the prostaglandin-E1 pathway. Quite an interesting feature of α-Pinene is that it can boost memory – a feature contrary to popular beliefs regarding cannabis. The method by which this occurs is through acetylcholinesterase inhibition, a pharmacokinetic action heavily researched in understanding and treating Alzheimer’s disease. Who would have thought cannabis could actually improve memory?
β-Caryophyllene A sesquiterpene, it exhibits quite interesting activity in that it has been shown to act selectively as a full agonist on the CB2 receptor subtype – much like the other popular sesquiterpenes we all know and love; cannabinoids! The action on CB2 receptor subtypes is believed to be directly responsible for the peripheral nervous and immune system response. In addition to this, activation of the prostaglandin-E1 pathway is observed with administration, serving as an excellent anti-inflammatory. Because of prostaglandin-E1 synthesis, gastric mucus secretions increase, acting as a superb gastric cytoprotective and working in similar fashion to many prescription medications in protecting the stomach from ulcers and irritation (misoprostol, sucralfate, etc.)
Myrcene This terpene is also of high pharmacological interest, particularly for its analgesic effects. Since many therapeutic cannabis patients utilize the polypharmaceutical that is cannabis for pain-related ailments, myrcene is perhaps one of the most beneficial terpenes, providing non-toxic relief from pain and particularly useful for those unable or unwilling to take hepatoxic analgesic agents. Inflammation is also greatly reduced by myrcene through activation of the prostaglandin-E2 pathway.
WRITER •DUTCH MASTERS
GRAPHICS • NARISSA CAMILLE-PHETHEAN
D-Limonene This has peculiar 5-HT1a (a serotonin receptor exploited by powerful antidepressants and psychedelics) activity, which has been shown to greatly reduce depression and anxiety. In addition to this, D-Limonene has also been shown to greatly improve pulmonary uptake and even cause breast cancer cells to undergo apoptosis!
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WORLD NEWS
WRITER •R.Z. HUGHES
Political In-Fighting As Cannabis Takes The Floor
Mexico Seeking Censorship on Canna-Zine
A fellow cannabis publication is under fire in Mexico after officials deemed it illicit and contrary to upstanding national customs. Cáñamo, based out of Barcelona for 18 years, has a wide following throughout the Spanishspeaking world with a Chilean edition that has been in print for over a decade. It seems disingenuous that the Mexican government, while combatting dangerous cartels and rampant political corruption, is concerned about the possible negative side-effects of a culture magazine. If anything, Cáñamo should be welcomed as a beacon of understanding and education for a public that has seen firsthand the brutal violence that can occur in the black market drug trade.
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The party rhetoric is heating up in the UK, where cannabis legalization has been a popular topic of conversation. A public petition that recently received over 200,000 signatures was supposed to force a parliamentary debate, however, the Tory-dominated government quashed it before it came up for discussion. This happened just days after a group of MPs, including the former heads of MI-5 and the Met Police, released a report calling private drug use a human right. They argue that personal consumption, cultivation, and possession of cannabis are indelible rights protected as “private and family life” as long as others aren’t harmed or injured.
Russia’s Ridiculous Internet Police The heavy hand of the Kremlin, with its characteristic lack of joy, humor, or common sense, briefly banned two major websites for references to ‘drugs’. The first target in Moscow’s recent cyber-cleansing was a thread on Reddit, discussing the proper ways to cultivate hallucinogenic mushrooms. They were just getting started, as a couple weeks later, Wikipedia found itself unwelcome due to an article detailing the ways that charas (a traditionally hand-made hashish) is produced. While both sites are currently back up and running, the unreasonable response – blocking an entire population from the endless knowledge of Wikipedia because of a single article – has been widely criticized as immature and overzealous.
Huge Haul for Cambodian Police Caught Hash-Handed In Cairo Customs A diplomat from Qatar, the Persian Gulf nation well-known for its impossibly oil-rich monarchy and awkward World Cup stadiums, found his trip to Cairo significantly shortened after being busted by airport authorities with nine grams of hash. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Hajri was arrested upon arrival in Egypt; a country known for its harsh sentencing for ‘drug traffickers’ against whom the death penalty is always an option. Luckily for alHajri, working in government has its perks, and he was expelled from Egypt with only a slap on the wrist and his tail between his legs. It’s worth noting that hash has become increasingly commonplace in the country since the Arab Spring and the ouster of longtime president, Hosni Mubarak.
Estimated to be valued at over $7,000,000, police in the capital city of Phnom Penh staged their biggest cannabis bust in the fifteen years cannabis has been illegal in the country. A story of international intrigue, 1.5 tons of herb alongside more than a liter of hash oil originated in Laos and was smuggled into the country in bags of a popular brand of Laotian coffee. Once in Cambodia it was slated for delivery to “western markets” where it could fetch higher prices. The mysterious mastermind that bankrolled this operation has not been caught but is suspected to be a well-heeled westerner with friends in high places – no pun intended.
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CANNA BUSINESS
WRITER •MELANIE BIGALKE
Big Data Goes Green Streamlining Through Analytics
L
EAFLY - the largest strain and dispensary database in the world, with over 300,000 reviews on a site that attracts 31 million page views per month—was sold to Seattle-based cannabis investment firm Privateer in 2011. While spending the last few years developing and supporting the team that will move forward with Leafly, co-founders Cy Scott, Scott Vickers, and Brian Wansolich have also prepared to launch a new venture in the fall. The new startup, Headset, is aimed at making business decisions easier for cannabis businesses through comprehensive, accessible analytics and market intelligence. As Cy Scott told me, “If current businesses are more successful, the industry will be successful and if the industry is successful, legalization will continue state by state. If the industry struggles or flounders, then we are all in trouble. We really want to see the whole industry succeed. That’s our whole motivation. A world where cannabis is very accessible no matter what state you live in, and in order to get there we need these businesses that are operating currently to be successful. That’s what Headset is trying to do.” Headset is collecting industry data in a variety of ways. They are receive sell-through data from the point of sale systems and are working with POS companies on integrations. From their variety of data sources, they apply statistical modeling and machine learning algo-
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rithms to generate market insights. Headset has already successfully completed their first round of financing, partnering with Poseidon Asset Management and Anslinger Captial, among others. Anthony Davis, co-founder of Anslinger Capital, describes, “Headset is a platform that provides a comprehensive suite of tools to help make cannabis businesses successful. There are five categories: market intelligence, category management, retailer insights, product manufacture insights and third-party data analytics. Headset will help answer tough questions that business owners face in today’s ever-expanding cannabis market.” Headset will target retailers, product manufacturers and growers, and their insights will be available to others who are forwarding the industry (like journalists). Reliable data is difficult to find, and “most of the current data about the industry is survey based,” said Scott. “If you ask any data scientist… they will say that once that’s published it’s out of date. Headset will offer real time data.” In a market that shifts as constantly as cannabis, this will make a huge difference for business owners and the end user. Scott continues, “This means that dispensaries are stocking, positioning and selling the things that [consumers] are asking for and the things that they are buying.” Anslinger Capital is clear on the impact that Headset is poised to make in the industry. As Davis says, “when Anslinger invests, we in-
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vest in people, people, people, product, and market. When we look at Headset, we see a management team that can show us the scars of building Leafly—the fastest-growing tech play in cannabis. We see a management team that we completely trust.” Anslinger is on a roll. In the past three months, they have made six investments, and are now poised to become the fastest growing cannabis fund in the US. Co-founder Davis said, “Venture Capital allows me to see the jobs that are created. I can see the benefits that are being caused; I get to have a significant impact on my investments. We are much more like partners than we are just capital,” he continued, “obviously, the partnership that we bring starts with the check that we write, but once we write you that check, We become business development people for you. We become salespeople for you; We become management advisors for you. We build sales and technology strategies for our portfolio companies. Maybe we should have called it Anslinger Partners,” he says with a laugh. Headset is projected to launch in November, and it’s definitely a launch for cannapreneurs to get excited about. As Scott says, “A lot of platforms give good data but require you to glean the insights. We want to turn that around. We’ll give you your insights, give you your next steps, and then we’ll back that up with data.”
Reliable data is difficult to find, and “most of the current data about the industry is survey based,” said Scott. “If you ask any data scientist… they will say that once that’s published it’s out of date. Headset will offer real time data.”
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PRODUCT
WRITER •R.Z. HUGHES
PHOTOS • ALLIE BECKETT
cHARLOTTE’S wEB-HEMP e XTRACT IN MCT CBD: FOSTERING HEALTH AND HOPE
RECENT influx of families
BEWARE OF SNAKE OIL!
have uprooted and moved to Colorado, seeking treatment for their youngsters afflicted with Dravet’s Syndrome, an often fatal form of severe epilepsy. Considered medical refugees by many, these families are forced to leave their home states to save their loved ones; many are in search of the miraculous strain Charlotte’s Web due to their lack of access to therapeutic cannabis in their home states.
With all of the press CBD and Charlotte’s Web has been getting, it’s no surprise that there are now plenty of imitators looking to cash in on the hype. Online marketplaces are currently populating with various hemp oils claiming to be rich in CBD. Many of these are riddled with toxic heavy metals as some are made from the processed stalk, and hemp is the strongest bioaccumulator on the planet. In the case of the CW strain the Department of Agriculture recently redefined the strain as “hemp” redefining “hemp” as any cannabis under 0.3% THC. CW Botanicals uses the flowers of Charolette’s Web, previously considered cannabis, rather than the fibrous stalk to extract the CBD, leaving it free of any toxic compounds.
CW Botanicals, founded by the Stanley brothers in Boulder, Colorado, is a manufacturer of the highest quality CBD solutions containing Cannabidiol, with products ranging from 200 mg of CBD to 5,000 mg. The namesake of the company, Charlotte Figi, was 5-years-old and having 300 grand mahl seizures a week when her parents signed a Do Not Resuscitate Order. After her first dose of CBD oil, she didn’t seize for a week and a year later she is riding bikes and talking. Organically flavored with mint and chocolate, the 200 mg MCT (medium chain triglycerides) and has no sugar. The suggested dose is a mL or around ¼ teaspoon, a manageable small amount for those with nausea or difficulties swallowing. Labeled as a dietary supplement, this product is suitable for anyone looking to enhance their life by including CBD’s natural benefits in it.
FOUND ONLINE AT www.CWBotanicals.com
The promising results displayed by Charlotte and other children is evidence enough, and while it is by no means a cure, it has offered families hope and relief where pharmaceutical science has failed them. Committed to the cause, a portion of all proceeds from this product are donated to the Realm of Caring Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to cannabis research, education, and advocacy. dopemagazine.com ISSUE 04 THE HEALTH ISSUE
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CANNA-NEWS
WRITER •KELLY VO
C ANNABIS i NFUSED
H
ALLOWEEN: A time of kids, cute costumes,
candy, and inflated menace. Every year, the media has a field day warning parents that their children are in imminent danger. Recently, the focus of the hype has shifted from razor blades to cannabis-laced candy. That’s right, menacing citizens are just waiting for their opportunity to get kids high by handing out valuable edibles in place of dollar-store candy. Just last year Forbes wrote, “Move over, razor blades and shards of glass. The latest menace to innocent trick-or-treaters…is marijuanainfused candy.” CNN picked up the same story stating, “Edible foods and candies infused with THC…pose a potential problem for parents trying to keep weed out of trick-or-treaters’ hands.” Clearly cannabis-laced Halloween candy is a concern, but does it have a basis in facts and figures? At the outset it seems unlikely. At $242 per ounce of cannabis, an extremely generous benefactor would be required to spend that amount of money on the children of strangers. But let’s look at the facts. The history of poisoned Halloween candy is filled with urban legends and sensational reporting. Since 1970, there have been five deaths supposedly attributed to poison Halloween candy. In each case, it was later proven that outside circumstances were the cause of death, not the candy. In fact, University of Delaware sociologist, Joel Best spent thirty years investigating poisoned candy, but didn’t find a single incident where a stranger tried to kill a child using tainted candy. When speaking of cannabis-laced candy being handed out on Halloween, there has yet to be a single reported case. The Washington Post said it best when they pointed out in 2014 that people were more likely to catch Ebola in the US— there were two reported cases—than to receive cannabis-infused Halloween candy. So, why is there a pervasive notion that Halloween and drugging kids with cannabis-laced candy is inevitable? Leah Abdenour, a partner at Green Shield Patients Cooperative, Inc., was shocked and alarmed to hear that any parent could be concerned about cannabis candy. “In my eight years in the industry, I have never had a patient express this concern,” Leah said. “This has never been an issue in the cannabis community to my knowledge.”
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The key to dispelling the urban myths around cannabis-laced Halloween candy is responsible consumption. The fact is cannabis-infused candy looks no different than regular candy because it’s made from the same base products, potentially fueling the Halloween paranoia. Many dispensaries purchase bulk candies, chocolates, and baked goods to infuse with cannabis, so the resulting products are identical.
For an adult treat this Halloween try EdiPure medicinal products. Infused with THC derived from lab grade reagents and methods of extraction, each product has an exact THC dosing and no cannabis taste.
Here’s a test. Take a look at the two candies and chocolates below. One contains cannabis and the other can be found in any children’s candy store. Which is which?
In both images, the candies on the left are cannabis-infused. The raspberries are actually EdiPure Gummies & Candies. They contain 100mg of THC—10mg per gummy. The chocolates on the left are Kiva Terra chocolate covered espresso beans with 120mg of THC and 5mg per bite. Properly packaged, these candies explicitly state, “Medical Use Only—Keep From Children.” However, out of the package, a child would not be able to tell the difference so adults must be careful when indulging.
As a medical cardholder, it’s your responsibility to keep your medication safely out of the reach of children. If hosting a holiday party with children present, use common sense – we shouldn’t have to say “Don’t put the ‘special’ brownies next to the regular brownies on the buffet table.” A simple sign indicating which edible is which is NOT enough of a deterrent. It’s best to keep your cannabis-infused edibles separate and not where anyone can consume them incorrectly or unknowingly. If you’re a concerned parent, the best advice is this: Don’t allow your children to consume anything from their “Treats” if any are out of the package. Cannabis edibles should always be properly labeled, and so as long as all your child’s candy is packaged, there’s no need for concern. The truth goes even deeper. The cannabis culture is not the enemy. “[Cannabis] is not an illicit drug culture with scary people trying to persuade children into dark corners,” Leah continues. “This is a medicine culture that is embracing the entire lifestyle of cannabis—
children included—for those who are in need of specific medical relief.” With that in mind, if you’re a medical cardholder who has a taste of the Halloween spirit, go for it. There are many options available to you. Kiva Confections Chocolate Bars are crafted from all natural ingredients and come in a variety of flavors including Blackberry Dark Chocolate or Vanilla Chai Milk Chocolate. Or if you prefer, Green Ticket Bakery Edibles have chocolate chip cookies, granola bars, and Rice Krispy infused treats. We just want to remind you to consume responsibly and have a dope Halloween.
“In 2014 you were more likely to catch Ebola in the US—there were two reported cases—than you were to receive cannabis-infused Halloween candy.”
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BAY AREA DISPENSARY
WRITER •RON MULLINS
PHOTOS • CAL GREENFIELD
Patient’s Care Collective Berkeley Coolest Clinic Atmosphere Meets the Warmest People
P
atient’s Care
Collective sits nestled in Berkeley’s Telegraph District, appropriately the former home of the free speech movement in the 1960’s. PCC is a modest-sized shop, which has been in operation circa 2001; they’re City of Berkeley licensed, and proudly ASA certified. PCC’s diverse and knowledgeable staff sets them apart as serviceminded educators. They are eager to discuss the therapeutic applications of each of their products. They take time with each patient, and as the proprietor put it, “We treat every patient as if they were our own family,” which creates a welcoming, clean, and caring environment. One long glass display showcases their fifteen or more lab tested strains, ranging from $30 to $60 per 1/8th oz donation, with such strains as Canna-Tsu, Black Domina and Jack Herer. Their Cherry AK really got me with its chunky pale green nugs, a $60 donation for an 1/8th
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oz. You can keep track of their strains with their collectable baseball style trading cards. For each strain, a stylish, glossy card offers a photo on the front, with a listing of the genetics, flavor, effect, and medicinal recommendations on the reverse. The shop is fully stocked with a selection of over twenty brands of edibles, with capsule and tincture options also on hand, along with keif, wax, shatter, vape pens and so much more. They have the best deal on CBD full-extract cannabis oil; 3 grams for a $55 donation. I spoke with an employee, Scott, who was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 2012 and has now been cancer free for three years following surgery and his replacement of chemo with cannabis oil treatments. PCC also stocks a very rare Hash-Balm for $15, handmade from the Bible’s recipe for anointing oil and produced in small batches using organic cannabis-enhancing aromatics. PCC offers what they call the “Care Package.” A compassionate
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2590 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704 Hours 10-8/ 7 days a week (510)-540-7878
“You can keep track of their strains with their collectable baseball style trading cards.” program that provides 8 grams of quality medicine free on a monthly basis to qualified low income patients; nearly two hundred people benefit from the program each month. I donated $130 for my 1/8th of Cherry AK, some CBD Oil, and Hash Balm, the tax is all included. I’ll definitely be back to see the PCC family any time I visit the “Athens of the West”!
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HEALTH
WRITER •SCOTT PEARSE
T HERAPEUTIC CANNABIS POST WORK OUT
T
HERE ARE few
sports that are as tough on the body as ultramarathons. Competitors can run for up to 24-hours, the joints and muscles of the body become torn and fatigued, exhaustion causes cramps and induces vomiting. Doesn’t sound like much fun, right? For professional ultramarathon runners, how your body recovers from this incredible exertion is crucial. For some, such as Colorado runner Avery Collins, part of their recovery regime is therapeutic cannabis. “I use a Mary’s Medicinals topical to cut back on inflammation. I go through a really bad achilles injury due to overtraining about every 6-months, but I don’t stop running, I run through the injury. I was applying the CBD rub 3-4 times a day lathering it all over my calves and achilles. Compared to previous recovery times, it cut the injury time in half.” An often overlooked aspect of peak performance is a good night’s sleep, Avery continues, “In addition to the topicals, I’ll use Mary’s Medicinals THC transdermal patches to regulate sleep when I need to be well rested.”
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You don’t need to be an ultramarathon runner to experience the benefits of cannabis post-exercise. Injury and soreness eventually accompany any hard workout, and it’s important to be able to safely and comfortably manage your routine. The tools of recovery have shifted over time, stretching before and after a workout eases the body into and out of an active state. We guzzle electrolyte-laden beverages hoping to put back much of what we have lost during a workout. Though the science around CBD is still in its infancy, anecdotal evidence from athletes like Avery would seem to be in line with scientific findings thus far. Obviously, if you’re serious about your health and sport performance smoking your stash is not advised, as the detrimental effects on respiratory performance are somewhat well known. Athletes and gym-junkies alike are looking to edibles, topical treatments, and tinctures as healthy ways to receive the large amounts of anti-inflammatory properties contained in CBD. If looking to enhance your post-workout recovery, try some of these products.
OM EDIBLES LAVENDER EPSOM SALT CANNABIS INFUSED MINERAL SOAK
MARY’S MEDICINALS CANNABINOIDINFUSED GREEN & PROTEIN POWDERS
Is anything more relaxing than a long soak after a workout? For a unique and healthy method of absorbing THC, Om Edibles have developed an Epsom salt bath that allows your body to absorb magnesium, which stops cramping, and therapeutic cannabis amplifies the antiinflammatory effects.
Whey protein powders are particularly popular among those looking gain muscle mass. Mary’s researchers refined a process of freeze-drying plant material. The method retains the nutritional value of the plant, and its active cannabinoids remain intact. The result is a product that can be stored for extended periods while retaining the benefits of fresh cannabis.
VENICE COOKIE COMPANY’S CBD BALANCE ONE 1:1 TINCTURE Add a squirt this tincture to your favorite post-workout beverage. With a balanced combination of THC and CBD, this tincture provides the anti-inflammatory properties your body needs after a workout, while also providing and anxiety and stress reducing high, which of course you deserve after lifting all those weights or running those miles.
“Cannabis is banned during competition by the World Anti-Doping Association citing studies that conclude THC decreases anxiety and increases airflow to the lungs.” dopemagazine.com ISSUE 05 THE HEALTH ISSUE
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CANNA-NEWS
WRITER •KELLY VO
PHOTOS • GEOFFREY DONNE
E ND 420 SHAME
It’s Been 15 Years Since I Needed Prescription Pills
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HIGH-POWERED lawyer in the Los Angeles music industry,
Evan Kopelson had what appeared to be the perfect life. Eating sushi dinners four times a week, expensive lunches every day, drinks every night, and attending raves every weekend. The truth was a different story. Overworked, underpaid, and deep in debt, Evan suffered from severe anxiety.
It was the early 90s, prior to California’s medical cannabis bill, and his treatment options were limited. Even if cannabis had been available, the relationship between cannabis and anxiety is fraught with conflicting opinions, open scorn, and desperate individuals. For outsiders, using therapeutic cannabis to treat anxiety is laughable. In fact, it can be the chief argument against the use of cannabis as medicine, but a study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that “cannabis and its derivatives have profound effects on a wide variety of behavioral and neural functions.” THC and CBD act on the endocannabinoid system—the system in our brain responsible for naturally regulating anxiety and stress levels.
Years later,” Evan said, “I never thought about the pills—they were part of my life. I could not imagine being without them.” His addiction and reliance grew to the point that if anything in Evan’s life caused him to feel less than 100%, he asked the doctor for another pill. Life was untenable; prescription drugs ruled his days, and hard drugs ruled his nights and weekends. Evan was divorced, depressed, and addicted to countless substances. “Nothing was right,” he said. “I was sick inside and out.” Something had to give. Finally, after years of abusing his body with no true relief, Evan turned to alternative medicine. In just a few months, Evan’s life was dramatically different. His desire to take prescription drugs melted away alongside his symptoms. It was all thanks to yoga and the introduction of medical cannabis to California in 1996, and the evidence supports Evan’s story that cannabis is often a good alternative.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) determined that a dose of high-CBD cannabis significantly reduces anxiety, cognitive im“For individuals who experience anxiety pairment, and discomfort. CBD holds many advantages over prescription treatments—it’s and high levels of stress, cannabis is a delivered quickly and efficiently and lacks miracle cure, but for Evan, it would be a the severe withdrawal symptoms and side effects. So why is it that individuals who use long journey to relief.” cannabis for anxiety are openly ridiculed?
For individuals who experience anxiety and high levels of stress, cannabis is a miracle cure, but for Evan, it would be a long journey to relief.
Anxiety pursued Evan on and off the job, then one day he rushed out of the office in a full-blown panic attack; it was unacceptable. “After my first real panic attack,” Evan says “I went to see my doctor.” He was desperate for help, thus began Evan’s journey into the dark world of prescription drugs. It started with Valium. Prescribed 5mg two to three times daily, he upped his dose when they did not work. Suddenly he was taking 10mg, and his quality of life was declining. “I was lethargic all the time and could barely get my work done,” he remembers. Depression set in and more prescriptions were needed. Next came Ativan, followed quickly by Xanax, Flexeril, and Naproxen. Then Adderall and Ritalin became a necessity, and finally Ambien and Halcion were added to the mix. Evan had his very own drug farm, and each pill treated something different. Xanax took the edge off. Evan’s stress-related back, neck, and shoulder pain required Flexeril and Naproxen. Adderall and Ritalin helped him focus, and Ambien and Halcion let him sleep. The complications of Evan’s anxiety and medications piled up. “
Evan said it this way: “People mention ‘anxiety’ as if it is the biggest crock of shit excuse to get a doctor’s recommendation letter for medical cannabis. However, none of those people have likely ever experienced a panic attack.” The truth is, no one has the right to tell someone else why they should or should not use cannabis. Every medical condition is valid. In spite of the naysayers, cannabis and anxiety relief go hand-in-hand. And as the industry has grown, countless strains have evolved to treat a variety of ailments. For Evan, cannabis changed his life. “It has been over 15 years, maybe 20, since I’ve needed those [prescription] pills,” he explains. “I still keep them as a reminder of how far I’ve come, and how badly I was lost.” When we asked Evan to share one thing that he wants everyone to know about cannabis. He says, “I am so grateful to have had these experiences and to be able to share them with others. Together, we can end the shame once and for all around cannabis use.”
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CANNA-BUSINESS
WRITER •DEBBY GOLDSBERRY
PHOTOS • BLAKE POWERS
K OROVA EDIBLES Unrivalled in the Field
F
one bar. For people who need high doses, they can get the amount of OUR YEARS ago, Joe Gerlach founded Korova Edibles to THC they need, without having to continuously consume edibles.” solve a problem. He kept meeting people with cancer and other The only push back they have received is from dispensaries serious conditions, who needed high doses of cannabis for their fearful of accidental overconsumption by patients. But according treatment. And, there was simply no product on the market to Ashley, 1000’s of patients have asked for even higher at the time that was potent and consistent enough to meet potency edibles. Ultimately, Korova wants to teach people to their needs. So with the encouragement of friends, he started find the perfect dose, without over-medicating, with resources Korova, setting a goal to be unrivaled in every way. His refreshingly online and on the packaging. Their tagline, “you can always simple idea was to create consistent, fairly priced, and reliable edibles. eat more, but you cannot eat less,” sums this up well. Korova’s products look just like the cookies and brownies you’d see at Korova started testing their edibles, as soon as it became possible, any local coffee shop. “Joe grew up baking with relatives,” says Ashley and used this knowledge to maximize their packaging to preserve Goldsberry of Korova, “and he wanted to create edibles with a classic the dose and shelf life of each product. Today, they apply rigorous look and taste. Something people would remember from childhood, testing protocols to make sure there are no mistakes in dosing and that they could easily medicate [without being] intimidating.” purity. This includes hand sorting all raw material, and testing it for potency, microbial Ashley and Joe met in 2013, creating a “Every single person at contaminants and pesticides before infusing formidable couple. Ashley is stylish, efficient, it into butter. They test the potency of the and approachable; Joe is a focused, tireless, Korova is excited about butter and batch test the cookies to complete and hard working leader. “Our first and being in this industry. the protocol. Ashley says, “We strive to foremost plan is to help people,” says Ashley. And, when they bake follow the letter and spirit of the law, from “Korova can accomplish this because of our package and labeling to local regulations, employees, who are passionate, forward and package, they are and want patients to have transparency about thinking people. We provide unrivalled thinking about who the what they are ingesting as their medicine. customer service, and when people ask for product is helping.” us, we are there. For a lot of companies it is Ashley’s favorite Korova edible is the Mint hard to find direction and to set that goal.” Dip Cookie, which at 250 mg is a hearty 5 doses. She is equally excited about the new products coming out Happy employees make delicious edibles, as shown by the fact soon. “Currently, we are launching our CBD cartridges, with the that over 400 dispensaries in California carry the Korova. They goal of having the highest potency CBD products out there,” she treat employees well, with fair wages and flexible scheduling. says, “and we are launching more bar flavors, more of our 51/50 “We want everyone who works for us to be happy and to have a half cookie, and half brownie bars in mint and other flavors.” good life balance,” Ashley says. “Every single person at Korova is excited about being in this industry. And, when they bake and Korova’s name and logo are a shout out to the cult classic A Clockwork package, they are thinking about who the product is helping.” Orange, where the Korova Milk Bar is featured prominently in the anti-hero’s story. On Korova Edibles logo, a cow stares out with a Korova’s 1000 milligram bars are nearly 10x the strength of other mirthful Malcolm McDowell third eye, wearing his iconic hat from the edibles on the market, and they are well above the 10 milligram limit classic anti-authoritarian movie. It seems a reminder that regardless set in states like Colorado, but, they are well liked by patients. “People of the freedom patients are starting to feel with prohibition’s slow choose to nibble on a bar, rather than to ingest a 250 calorie edible demise, it is best to stay prepared to face the battles ahead. Thankfully, to get 100 milligrams of cannabis,” she says. “It is a really great value we have unrivalled leadership in people like Korova. for people with low tolerance, because they can get 20 doses from
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CONCENTRATE
WRITER •RADIOHASH
PHOTOS •ASHLEIGH CASTRO
E XODUS lEVEL By Hashbury Extracts
EFFECT
After only five minutes, relaxation and a tranquil mood set in; after about a half an hour, the heady effects began to fade, while the enhanced mood lingered for a couple of hours. A great start for a “you” day, whether planning to be active or not, as energy levels stay constant with light use.
AROMA
A very light musky, cheesy scent, before dabbing, which filled the room once exhaling the dab. As with flavonoids, terpenes, are also water soluble. The amount retained is dependent on the amount of time in water. A great thing about solvent free extracts is you’ll taste nothing but the plant.
THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS
Mood stabilizing, as well as relaxing; I felt it redirected my mind’s attention away from body aches; this indica dominant hybrid can be a benefit to both mind and body. As with many hybrids, they can promote activity with their pain relief, and often lend a happy outlook, conducive to an active day.
FLAVOR
Pleasantly mild fruit flavor blends perfectly with a notable cheese during inhale, leaving an earthy aftertaste upon exhale. Hashbury’s Exodus Cheese is all flavor and carries no unwanted tastes. Cold/ice water hash, depending on how long it’s in water, can retain much of the water-soluble flavonoids.
Available Exclusively via www.hepburns.com (delivery services to San Francisco area)
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ISSUE 05 THE HEALTH ISSUE dopemagazine.com
LOOKS
As it peels off the paper, it bends and stretches slowly over time as it warms, just like a rich sheet of caramel. Our sample was provided stamped and ready to dab; a pressed translucent golden dried fruit snack looking substance.
GENETICS
UK Cheese + skunk, Exodus Cheese is an indica dominant strain said by various seed suppliers to be a 60/40 indica/ sativa hybrid. This is top shelf, trichome rich, whole plant, sun grown in Northern California by Sense CC. Hasbury uses reverse osmosis artisanal water for a cleaner extraction process, which is already solvent free.
PRODUCT
WRITER •EVAN KOPELSON
PHOTOS • ADAM RITZ
Exxus Twist Concentrate Vaporizer Full strength dabs with no blow torch required!
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HAVE to admit, before I started working at DOPE Magazine I had never done a dab. I have a high tolerance, being a medicinal cannabis user for many years, but I’m still suspect if anything requiring a blow torch can really be called medicinal. Of course, my feelings on this have evolved since I learned more about concentrates and extraction techniques. I now know that concentrated cannabis has the medicinal advantage of being vaporized rather than smoked, and that a blow torch in this regard is simply a necessary tool, no more and no less. As one of my favorite yoga teachers likes to say, “no drama.”
Still, just a couple weeks ago, I was walking the floor at HempconSF, and at every other booth, people were giving me samples of their dab oils, shatters, waxes and other concentrates to try. And it occurred to me that I was carrying quite a bit of concentrate, yet I had no mechanism to try it with. I wondered, is there something that doesn’t require a blowtorch that I can dab with? That’s when I ran into the guys at GotVape and they gave me one of their Exxus Spinner Twist Concentrate Vaporizer kits. This is a branded Spinner Twist vape pen battery with variable voltage, and an adapter cartridge featuring a ceramic dual coil skillet that makes vaporizing concentrate a snap. It’s easy to use and I can’t believe I lived without one for so long!
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FEATURE
A VOICE FOR PEOPLE, PATIENTS, AND THE PLANT. USICIAN MELISSA Etheridge dodged the bullet of hardcore drug use during the 1970s and 80s. While fellow artists were grappling with addiction, Melissa was coming to terms with her sexuality in an industry dominated by homophobic men. “I’ve always felt issues with the gay rights movement and the cannabis movements are so similar,” she says from her home in the hills outside of Los Angeles proper. “Both movements are based on stereotyping, fear, and misinformation, and people need to come out from both closets and talk about it.” The path Melissa took to advocacy may not have always been a choice, but it was paved with inspiration and knowledge from her father who taught constitutional law to high school seniors. “He really helped me to understand at a very young age what our government is about,” she shared. “Our founding fathers based the constitution on the way the existing tribal
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nations resolved conflict – how they made peace between the tribes in the new world. The way it’s all set up with checks and balances works, it really does.” In January of 2014 Melissa released the single, “Uprising of Love,” in response to Russia’s tough anti-gay laws and the LGBT community’s request to boycott the 2014 Olympics in Russia. The song is a call to arms for brothers and sisters around the world still drowning in disrespect, while American gays are gaining ground. My eyes are wide-open recognizing change It feeds the fires of the fear Where human love seems strange I’m gonna rise above I believe that love is love I’m gonna raise my hands With every woman, child and man I’m gonna start an uprising of love
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WRITER •SHARON LETTS
Proceeds from the song named after the Russian advocacy group by the same name were donated to the “Russia Freedom Fund,” aiding the cause on Russian soil. Melissa said she was confident the democratic process in America would allow gay marriage in time. Cannabis, on the other hand, has been the harder stigma to squash. “Both the gay rights movement and the movements to end cannabis prohibition are based on misinformation and fear,” she said. “Children are being taken away from their parents for being cannabis patients, and children in extreme gender conflict are being thrown out of their homes by their own families.” The contrasts are startling, with performer Miley Cyrus’ non-profit “Happy Hippie Foundation” siting 16 million youth are made homeless each year, with 40 percent identifying as LGBT and family rejection at the top of the list for reasons why (Laganja Estranja, Dope Magazine, Sept. 2015). With or without Child Protective Services ever getting involved, families continue to discriminate against their pot-smoking, cannabis ingesting family members, with rhetoric rivaling that of a national political campaign.
In 2004 Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer and began the grueling traditional treatments of surgery and chemotherapy, successfully putting the cancer into remission. As widely reported, she also endured great physical and emotional suffering, causing her to up her cannabis use during the process with great success. “Medicating with cannabis saved my life,” Melissa explained. “The side effects of chemotherapy are horrible. Going through treatment was the most eye-opening experience I’ve been through. The medications you must take during and after the treatments have awful side effects and really damage your body. I had no energy whatsoever, could not eat – and cannabis helped with all of it.” Melissa says cannabis made such a huge difference to her wellbeing, both emotionally and physically and that she ended her traditional treatments early. Once the cancer was gone, she didn’t like the way the medications made her feel. As discovered through work done with AIDS patients in California, the beneficial effects of simply cannabis for pain and nausea while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation has been shown to be widely effective.
PHOTOS • SHARON LETTS
Dr. Donald Abrams gained approval and recognition for his clinical trials with AIDS patients in San Francisco between 2003 and 2005, documenting a 30% reduction in pain by combining cannabis with prescribed pain killers. Other studies show secondary cancers and other serious ailments such as stroke and heart attacks directly linked to the use of chemotherapy, chemo drugs, and radiation (Dope Magazine, Tommy Chong; August 2014). Due to the damaging side effects of conventional therapies, Melissa says she won’t go the traditional route if or when her cancer comes back. “I’ll definitely ingest the cannabis oil if I need to,” she shares. “I’m a firm believer in its benefits, and was sorely disappointed when Angelina Jolie made the decision to get a double mastectomy out of fear.” Melissa said out of all the highly debatable subjects she’s been involved with, from gay rights to enlisting David Crosby as a surrogate father to her babies, her speaking out against surgery as prevention for cancer brought on some of her harshest criticism. “People can do whatever they want with their bodies – your body is yours,” she explains.
“Me l issa expl ains canna b is m a de s u c h a hu ge diffe re n c e t o he r w e llb eing , b oth emotion a lly a n d p hys ic a lly, t ha t s he e n d e d h e r tra di ti on al tr eatments earl y. O n ce t he c a n c e r w a s go n e , s he d id n ’ t l i k e the way th e me d ic a t io n s m a de he r fe e l. ” dopemagazine.com ISSUE 05 THE HEALTH ISSUE
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Compassionate Relief of Santa Cruz in California to create a variety of infused products to include a delicious hot, sweet mustard, honey sticks in three varieties (sunny, funny, and honey – representing sativa, hybrid, and indica), Balmz Away, a topical salve, and small batch wine in association with Coup’ Vineyards in Santa Cruz. Her “No Label Private Reserve” branded bottle is literally label-free, with the varietal and her name written in gold ink along the base of the bottle. Each bottle is valued at a humorously denoted $420 each.
“If you fear something so much you decide to cut healthy tissue off, by all means, go ahead, but don’t present it to the public as if it’s a courageous act, when it’s based solely on fear.” Those in the cannabis community are always shaken when hearing of anyone in a high profile position choosing traditional therapies. Its seen by many as a change to get educated about cannabis and pass that on to make a difference for many. That said, cannabis activists are also painfully aware they are ahead of their time when it comes to knowledge of the plant – specifically when putting cancer and serious ailments into remission is concerned. The recipe for making “Rick Simpson Oil” or “RSO” is actually an old recipe re-created by Canadian Rick Simpson more than 15 years ago, after he was told there was nothing more to be done for a terminal case of skin cancer. Since his success, the recipe and protocol has been shared via word of mouth only ( helped by social media), and involves ingesting oil orally, or delivery via suppositories. 60 grams of the strong oil in 90 days, with some of the most invasive cancers reported gone in less time (Rick Simpson, Dope Magazine, July 2015). While Mellissa admitted she doesn’t enjoy ingesting, she said she’s open to learning more about it – especially where cancer prevention is concerned. She’s working with a former Iron Chef and teaming up with Greenway
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“We are infusing wine with cannabis in a cold process that doesn’t activate the THC,” she shared. “The feeling is a warm, full body high. People who don’t want to smoke or have issues with the psychoactive properties of THC like this option – especially if they already enjoy wine.” Markets to distribute her developed products are to include the legal state of Colorado, where she’ll be teaming up with Starbuds dispensaries in Denver, giving her an edge on the Rocky Mountain High state. “We are still working out the legalities of production with alcohol, distribution across state lines, and testing to be in accordance with each city, county, and state ordinance out there,” she advised. “That’s something I’d really like to get involved with – helping to implement smarter ordinances locally in cities and counties. The main thing is, it’s all truly medicine and California is about to go recreational. We need to keep the state at the forefront of cannabis as medicine, where it’s always been.” With the Department of Agriculture’s change of heart, giving cannabis products measuring in at less than 0.03 percent THC a “Hemp” moniker, she may be able to ship the wine across state lines soon. This writer would not mind being in a “bottle of the month club” with that brand, as alcohol infusion is one of my own personal favorite ways to enjoy the plant. On another note, the rock star is currently using her voice and her notoriety to support the project of her life, helping to integrate cannabis as medicine with traditional therapies, in negotiations now with a national cancer
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treatment center chain. “I’ve joined forces with actual oncologists who know, at the very least, that this plant is good medicine,” says Ethridge. “We will be creating places where cannabis will be integrated into traditional treatments.” While Medicine Man of Denver hints at a relationship with a pharmaceutical chain, and President Obama’s nod to the potential future occurrence of actual research on US soil, the plant is continuing to gain ground with more ways to reach the masses that suffer with real illnesses and disorders that plague our country and world today. “As I see illnesses are getting worse and the medical community is up against a wall for options on how to treat everything” she surmised. “Then you see documentaries, like Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Weed’ on CNN - because he gets it. Doctors are starting to realize something is not right, that this plant may be a viable option. The future is about health and truly understanding a more holistic approach for each of us. We are responsible for our own bodies. We need to know we have a health system that is poisoned and taking one pill won’t fix it. That’s the next big paradigm shift that needs to happen.”
PRODUCT
Stovetop Apothecary Infusing for Tinctures, Tonics and more
S
IMPLY SAID, an infusion is what any tea drinker does daily – steeping plant material in a compound of liquid to extract flavorful oils from a plant, creating a drinkable or ingestible plant concentrate. The tea drinker not only gets the flavor of the plant via its essential oils, they also receive therapeutic benefits from the plant, as that’s where the medicinal compounds of the plant are found. Beneficial plants draw us to them via their scent, luring us into the garden for our own good, literally. We falter if we are going there just when we are sick, for if we keep good plant-based concentrates in our systems on a regular basis we won’t get sick in the first place. That’s how it works. Keeping a steady flow of pungent herbs and spices in diet has
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long been thought to lower instances of disease and illness, as its all truly medicine. When Peter Rabbit binged on Farmer MacGregor’s garden in Beatrix Potter’s classic tale of the same name, his mother steeped a cup of chamomile tea for the little bunny. She knew the medicinal properties of the flower would calm his digestive system and alleviate the inflammation causing him pain. She also knew it would calm his anxiety, allowing him lay down for a good night’s sleep after the trauma of running for his life. All this came from the little, daisy-like flower grown in her backyard kitchen garden, as was the norm of the day. Humans have been extracting plant-based essential oils for thousands of years. According to the European Herbal Infusion Association (EHIA), the first records of infusion techniques appeared in the Chinese Pharmacopeia attributed to the Chinese Emperor Shenong sometime around 3,000 BC.
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During the 1st century AD, the Greek physician and pharmacologist Pedanius Dioscorides describes 600 medicinal plants and minerals used for the preparation of infusions in his book De Material Medica (meaning medicines), with cannabis listed as “Kannabis” in the mix. Chinese surgeon Hua Tuo (c. 140-208) is said to be the first physician to use cannabis as an anesthetic by first making a powder and mixing it with wine, delivering it orally prior to surgery. The Chinese term for anesthesia (mazui) literally means “cannabis intoxication.” An infusion is a simple process and herbalists and stovetop medicine makers have been practicing it with cannabis since the beginning of time. Though the topic is still being debated and studied, many believe the Holy Anointing Oil from the Bible was made with cannabis via an infusion process.
WRITER & PHOTOS • SHARON LETTS
Ganja Goodness Tincture • 1 large bottle of Rum (1.5 liters) • 1 ounce ground trim (leaf, stem, smalls, crystal leaf) • 1 small bottle of almond extract or vanilla (optional) Add trim to alcohol and let sit in a cool, dark place for two weeks Shake to blend every couple of days Strain with cheesecloth and keep in a glass Can be used in a cocktail, a tonic, or an under the tongue tincture Note: this recipe can also be used with apple cider vinegar or glycerin. As with alcohol, vinegar and glycerin break down the plant material without heat, so there are no psychoactive effects.
Liquids used for infusing plant-based compounds are water, oil, vinegar, glycerin or alcohol, with French presses, tea bags, or cheese cloth used to strain the material from the liquid.
heat. While this wouldn’t be a concern when steeping chamomile, there are many patients who are not comfortable with the effects of THC, and prefer a non-psychoactive option.
Healthy.net states alcohol as an infusing liquid is second only to water for making medicine, and though many regard alcohol as a recreational substance, its properties help break down plant material while offering excellent absorption into the body. Once a tincture or tonic is made using alcohol, its properties naturally preserve the medicine, inhibiting further fermentation that may occur with water or glycerin-based methods. In other words, alcohol infusing gives a longer shelf life.
The irony of the stigma attached to THC is the fact that humans altered the plant’s evolution by breeding higher THC varieties over the last fourty years. The good news is farmers are now hybridizing the plant back to its original state, giving us a cannabinoid (CBD) only option while doing away with the head high some would rather do without.
Where cannabis is concerned, the temperature of the extraction method absolutely defines the psycho-activity of the product made, as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is activated with
That’s not meant to say we don’t need the THC. It’s needed as par tof the mix for a myriad of ailment including neurological disorders. It has also been reported by many patients that it helps put cancer into remission. Personally, this writer has never had a time without “medicating” with cannabis;
it’s my Ritalin and has been since I was 16. In fact, even the most adamant self described ‘stoner,’ insisting they are just getting high by burning flower, may actually be decreasing their chance of stroke, heart disease, emotional issues, anxiety, digestive issues, and more. If smoking tobacco along with cannabis, research is now suggesting a lower instance of lung cancer. It’s also becoming suggested that those who vape instead of burning carbon, could actually be healing their lungs of many bronchial maladies, including COPD. Take away the industrial revolution and all you have are humans, critters, and plants put here for our use and benefit. So, the next time you are outside and get a whiff of something sweet, stop and smell the flowers. If you’d like to see what all the fuss is about, steep that bud in a bit of rum and call it a tincture. Your body will thank you.
“ Where cannabis is concerned, the temperature of the extraction method absolutely defines the psycho-activity of the product made, as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is activated with heat.” dopemagazine.com ISSUE 05 THE HEALTH ISSUE
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ROAD TRIP
WRITER •SHARON LETTS
PHOTOS • SHARON LETTS
Road Trip: Venice Beach, California Buds & Beach in So Cal
I
T’S COMMON knowledge in Los Angeles, if you want to get a medical “marijuana” card quick and cheap you go to the Venice Beach Boardwalk and lay down forty bucks in one of its many tiny storefront operations.
California was the first state in the country to legalize cannabis as medicine in 1996 with Proposition 215 voted in and the Compassionate Care Act was added to its Health and Safety Code, giving Californians safe access to cannabis for real illness. Being a more liberal town, Venice Beach has embraced the cannabis culture with exuberance and both arms outstretched. Venice Beach began in 1905 as “Venice of America” with tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney originally creating a 16 mile neighborhood of canals as homage to Venice Italy along the Pacific Ocean, with Marina Del Rey to the south and Santa Monica to the north. Kinney, who had won the parcel in a literal coin flip, proceeded to develop the area as a tourist spot, and it remains a popular town within the City of Los Angeles for artists, musicians, and performers who line Ocean Front Walk on the beach sharing space with flame eaters, chain saw jugglers, and the occasional MMJ card mill. In the 1950s Beatniks gathered in coffee houses. By the 1960s artists and musicians converged here and lived on the cheap. In the 1970s actor and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, could be found pumping iron on a part of the walk dubbed, “Muscle Beach.” After signing a law decriminalizing small amounts of cannabis in the state, he made the infamous comment “You can just inhale, and you live off everyone else,” acknowledging the aroma of cannabis in the area. At least we know he definitely inhaled. Today the canals are lined with fancy upgraded mini-mansions with price tags only Hollywood industry-types can afford. There are just a few original cottages remaining, but the shops and stalls that line the beach are still fabulously funky. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and surfers were floating out on the sea as I made my way through the circus-like atmosphere. As a crowd gathered, a man broke bottles on a tarp preparing to walk on them barefoot for tips; while a woman read palms for $10 a pop, and an electric guitarist on roller skates played Hendrix, just a typical weekday in Venice Beach. According to its website The Green Doctor’s office is “located next door to Jodi Maroni’s Sausage - No appointment necessary,” which is the norm at the storefront MMJ card shops; so I popped in to have a chat with one of the good doctors - sans the sausage.
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As was expected, the young doctor had little knowledge of the many benefits of the plant, or the many people that are saying they are using cannabis oil to cure myriad ailments. No matter, I adjusted my proverbial Florence Nightingale cap and shared my story. “He was more than a little surprised, now follows me on social media, and hopefully he’ll be better informed to help those that only see the recreational aspects of the plant, instead of it’s capacity as a therapeutic treatment for real illness. Venice also hosts some of the more enlightened dispensaries in the city, with The Green Goddess located near the pier, easy walking distance from Ocean Front Walk. After posting a photo of the pier in social media, Annie Nelson (Willie’s wife) left me a comment encouraging me to visit the shop. With that kind of recommendation, it was a no-brainer. The facility was clean and staff was friendly, with security just outside the door. I was most impressed with the selection of cannabis medicines available, including a large amount of CBD only oils, tinctures of varied strengths, cannabis caps by Hashman for easy predictable dosing, and a variety of edibles – all tested and plainly marked in professional packaging. Of the many products lining the tidy shelves were several from The Venice Cookie Company, including organic, vegan, agave sweetened “Not Guilty” medicated cookies, and “The 420 Bar,” sporting the motto “The only bars we’re behind.” Its web site boasts that the thoughtful company creates everything from “teas to tinctures,” with its fruity drink “Cannabis Quenchers” a 2013 High Times Cannabis Cup “Best Beverage” winner. The shop also carries Mary’s Medicinals’ CBD Transdermal Patches, a woman owned company with origins in Colorado, and Naturally Mystic Organics tinctures and topicals – a personal favorite product line – offering a wide array of doses, combinations of THC, CBD, CBN, daytime and nighttime doses, using additional beneficial herbs synergistically with cannabis. The most unusual product I’ve seen to date was a little box of infused toothpicks made by Twig, packing a whopping 300 mg of activated THC in each tiny stick.
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The collective also carries Altai Brands, “Artisanal edibles thoughtfully crafted for well-being and enjoyment,” with each beautiful chocolate morsel seemingly hand painted in gold and silver. The company waxes poetic on its creations, stating, “Altai seeks to redefine the use of cannabis in our modern culture by placing it within a centuries-old context of human use.” Members of the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA), Altai produces its products in a 15,000 square foot food processing facility with comprehensive food safety tracking systems and raw ingredient batch identification from seed to sale – something already happening in wellorganized Colorado.
The Green Goddess Collective announced it has teamed up with Colorado-based Baker, a software development company with its own online ordering app available for iPhone or Android. The inviteonly app can’t be accessed via the app store, only via its website, TryBaker.com, and allows patients to shorten their wait time in the shop by preordering online. As for myself, I purchased a sativa dominant hybrid refill for my vape pen, with which I immediately strolled happily to the end of the pier. Visiting city dispensaries in culturally diverse towns always offers up a great experience. As a California patient I’m grateful for the many producers of good medicine in this favorite LA town, where it’s still cool to take a walk, witness art, music and good food in the California sunshine.
“As for myself, I purchased a sativa dominant hybrid refill for my vape pen, with which I immediately strolled happily to the end of the pier.”
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CANNA NEWS HEALTH
Living With Disability Forest Bathing
T
HIS PAST summer, my
childhood best friend and I decided to plan a different type of getaway. We were feeling burnt out: he with his roundthe-clock startup management, and me with my health problems, which didn’t let up for the summer at all. My lovely lady was feeling pretty stressed as well with the ups and downs of retail. Living in the city, surrounded by the constant glow of digital media, we don’t even get a break from the stream of information at home. We decided to rent a cabin through AirBnB on the Olympic Peninsula, near Quilcene, to immerse ourselves in the wild; out of cell range, and out of touch. A number of studies show that excessive screen time can impact quality of sleep as well as depression and stress levels. Perhaps you have woken up in the middle of the night and decided to check out your smart phone; you may know how hard it is to fall back asleep after looking at that bright little screen for five minutes. While technology has done wonderful things for us in so many ways, we must realize that we are soft human beings, and that we might need down time, to rebalance ourselves outside of the cyber sphere. In Japan, walking in the forest and opening up one’s senses constitutes a practice known as shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. This is not nude sunbathing under the trees, but a therapeutic
“A number of studies show that excessive screen time can impact quality of sleep as well as depression and stress levels.”
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WRITER •JOHNNY HALFHAND
practice to relax deeply, unwind from stress, and rejuvenate through seeking joy and wonder in the forest. Numerous studies in Japan prove even fifteen minutes spent walking or sitting in a quiet, natural setting can reduce physiological signs of stress and anxiety in a pronounced way. They’ve even found that exposure to natural woodlands enhances the immune system’s production of cancer-killing cells. Disability leaves people housebound, lagging behind the rest of society, and from this perspective the human world can be alienating. Delving into the natural world, whether it is a local park or vast protected backcountry, operates on its own plane as well, a wild plane. Alan Watts once said that the human world is very rigid, built with straight lines and boxes, while the natural world is fluid and squiggly. Living at the grace and will of one’s health feels like a primal struggle - going into the forest and exploring the wonders of the wild is not only relaxing but helps one learn valuable lessons to take back to the human world. On our last day out on the Peninsula, we drove down to a campground called Hamma Hamma, and found beautiful old-growth forest. Even though walking is difficult for me, I just had to explore; curiosity compels you in such beauty. We followed the sound of babbling water and found the crystal clear mountain waters of the Hamma Hamma River,
PHOTO • JOHNNY HALFHAND
with Mount Skokomish towering in the distance. Putting our feet in the water, we made little dams and eddies, and picked out our favorite old trees in the surrounding glades. When we got back in the car to drive back to Seattle, and back to our workday lives, we felt deeply refreshed, perhaps even on a spiritual level. My pain levels felt reset in a way, and feeling whole again, I was ready to take a crack at my writing projects once more. The United States has a wonderful national park system, which preserves many different types of woodlands. From the Olympics and Denali to the Redwoods and the Everglades, anyone can go see them and revel and recharge in their beauty. Forest bathing opportunities are everywhere, and the rise of ecotourism also contributes to an alternative tourism which now trades glamor for nature. There are also small local parks, equally delightful for their convenience. When feeling overwhelmed, taxed and depleted, perhaps you are due for some forest bathing. The autumn is a wonderful time to casually explore the forest, alone or with friends. Take in the many colors, breathe deeply, and listen to the birds singing in the rustling leaves. We come from nature, and it always feels good to be settling in back at home, if even for 15 minutes.
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CANNA-NEWS PESTICIDES
WRITER •JESSICA ZIMMER
Growing It Safe
T
Encouraging Best Practices Through Pesticide Regulation HE STATES where cannabis is most heavily farmed and utilized – California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington – are taking steps to encourage safe growing practices and curb the use of dangerous pesticides. Colorado is leading the effort in regulation and enforcement of health and safety standards.
CURRENT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS
John Scott, manager of pesticide programs at the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), said his agency does not advocate the use of any pesticide that is “not according to the label.” Since cannabis is illegal under federal law, chemical manufacturers that develop U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-mandated labels for their products do not list how the products may affect cultivators or consumers. In addition, according to the Organic Foods Production Act, marijuana cannot earn the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification of “organic.” “None of the pesticides have gone through risk assessments for marijuana. No scientific testing (for effectiveness and potential harm) has been conducted specific to marijuana,” said Scott. The CDA and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) are currently working collaboratively and are in discussions with the EPA about listing certain chemicals as safe to use on cannabis. The process is called special local need (SLN) registration, and each state has produced its own extensive list. Scott said the CDA is collaborating with the WSDA to determine what tests should be conducted to determine whether a
WHY SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED
Cultivators and state officers agree that state regulation and enforcement can preserve the health of cultivators, consumers, and the environment. Hezekiah Allen, chair and executive director of the Emerald Growers Association, a California-based group of cannabis cultivators, business owners, activists and supporters says pesticide runoff from outdoor grows has the potential to affect “anything that lives in or depends on the water.” He recalls episodes in 2008 and 2009 during which pesticides from cannabis grows found their way into water tanks and rivers in northern California, and was
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pesticide is safe. The products attracting the most negative attention are fungicides that kill mites and have myclobutanil as an active ingredient: Avid, Eagle 20EW, and Floramite. There have been no formal scientific studies regarding the effects on these pesticides on cultivators or consumers. There are numerous reports on Internet forums from consumers who believe that they experienced episodes of dizziness and respiratory problems after using marijuana grown with the above-mentioned pesticides. “We’re working with industry in ensuring their compliance regarding worker protection standards. Our goal is to contact each of those (cultivation) facilities,” said Scott. He says the CDA has increased its number of inspections by three times its pre-legalization amount. The money for additional full time employees comes from general funds generated through cannabis tax dollars. Jodi Davidson, marijuana examiner program supervisor of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB), said medical marijuana is not yet regulated in the state. The agency was not required by Initiative 502 (I502), the 2012 legislation that legalized cannabis, to test product.
shown to negatively affected salmon populations. In 2010, Allen began having “significant and ongoing conversations with fisheries.” The talks have led to inter-industry cooperation to encourage best management practices for cultivators. Allen supports a new bill meant to address the problems caused by pesticide runoff: Assembly Bill 243, the Marijuana Watershed Protection Act. This legislation currently being considered by the California legislature would place a $50 fee on each legal plant. The money would go to enhance law enforcement, environmental mitigation and restoration.
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Davidson says, “We are now in the midst of drafting rules for [testing] medical marijuana.” Mikhail Carpenter, spokesperson for the WSLCB, says the agency will have the power to regulate therapeutic cannabis in July 2016. Steve Fuller, policy assistant to the director of the WSDA, said the WSDA is currently doing some sanitary inspections of edibles processors under a contract with the WSLCB. Oregon requires therapeutic cannabis to be tested for pesticides, but labs are not yet held to any set standards. Cultivators are expected to take the initiative in pulling their product off shelves if it is found to contain harmful substances. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which will oversee recreational cultivators, has a committee that is currently discussing how labs should operate. California does not require therapeutic cannabis (medical marijuana) to be tested for pesticides. Its legislature is considering Assembly Bill 266. Under this bill, the California Department of Public Health would test the product and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) would oversee cultivation.
Taylor West, deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association says, “It is incumbent on (cannabis-related) businesses in the community to develop alternatives to those federally established options for pesticides.” “You’re seeing some efforts come out of the industry. It’s a smart move; many of our customers and consumers are patients. It’s important that the industry not create issues or complications with their health problems,” says West. He agrees that growing clean is a way for smaller cultivators to “distinguish themselves and their brands.”
WAYS TO COMBAT MITES, MOLD, AND MILDEW Chris Conrad, a California-based cannabis legal expert, says he is concerned that many states, including Colorado, are using USDA guidelines that suggest that if a plant can be treated with a certain pesticide that can be eaten, it can also be safely smoked. “To me, that’s missing the step of [understanding] what happens when you burn it [the pesticide],” said Conrad. He explains it is possible to determine from the smoke or ash whether cannabis has been treated with chemicals. “Often adulterants [such as pesticides] are visible in the smoke. If it’s blue to white, or pale grey, it’s from a clean plant. If the smoke has a brown or blackish tint, that’s a sign of an adulterant. An ash that’s white and powdery or that comes out with lumps and specks is also a sign of an adulterant,” said Conrad. He also shares that water, milk, baking soda, and Neem tree oil are several natural ways to get rid of powdering mildew. Bodhi Urban, head grower at Preferred Organic Therapy, a Denver-based dispensary, uses a variety of safe and natural methods to keep plants healthy. “For spider mites, I use (the spray) Green Clean, it takes care of the eggs. For fungal issues, I use a lot of essential oils: clove, peppermint, thyme, cinnamon, and lemon oil as well as soap,” says Urban,”If the essential oils aren’t working, I reinforce with applications of different bacteria strains. I use the fungicides Actinovate and Double Nickel 55TM, and brew compost teas (a blend of decaying organic matter, steeped in water) to breed microbes. They also help keep everything nice and green. I have a soil blend, Anbessa Organics, that I developed that utilizes a wide spectrum of herbs,” says Urban. Urban said the best way to protect indoor grows is to control the climate of the space.
“The humidity should be no greater than 40%, with fluctuations of temperature never varying more than ten to fifteen degrees, and you don’t want to underwater or overwater your plants.” says Urban. He says cannabis strains differ; it helps to be aware that a crop has specific needs. “CBD strains (such as Charlotte’s Web, which may not contain much THC) are more like hemp. They don’t need as much nutrients [as high THC strains] to grow to their full potential.” Danielle Billings, co-founder of the Colorado Hemp Project, a Sterling-based entity that seeks to plant a 196-acre farm of a cannabis strain with a high amount of CBD and a low amount of THC, says, “Cannabis is a crop that does not need pesticides.” She says she thinks some growers have used dangerous pesticides, because there has been a proliferation of large grows with inexperienced owners. “If you don’t have a good owner, that person is not going to care about the end product; they’re just about the money. It’s very visible here in Colorado. There are $60,000 to $70,000 operations that get shut down because of mites and mold.” Michael Johnson, chief operating officer of Highly Distributed, a wholesale cannabis company based in Talent, Oregon, said he thinks cultivators only use dangerous pesticides when they are inexperienced or lazy. “If you round the corner from July to August and your plants are just beginning to flower, you could lose $100,000. Synthetic products
fix the problem with one application, but you can be proactive and spray with healthy products before things go bad,” says Johnson, who was an organic vegetable farmer for four years prior to growing cannabis. He says that starting from seed helps. “Clones usually have a little baggage. The fewer people from which you receive genetics the better…[because] you pass the bugs and the diseases all around.” Chris Van Hook, director of Clean Green Certified, a Crescent City, California-based business that offers the only nationally recognized third-party certification for cannabis, said cultivators growing outdoors should increase biodiversity in their plots. “Providing beneficials (plants that protect cannabis) helps to keep pests “below action threshold.” If you are growing surrounded by woods and forest, there’s a lot (of those) around naturally. You can “companion plant” with premixes of multiple (flowers): zinnias, marigolds, as well as clover and grasses, with seed pods.” He also says keeping indoor and outdoor growing and processing areas, including tools and storage containers within these areas both quarantined and separate, as well as clean and organized. Van Hook added that buying predator mites or ladybugs and putting a screen mesh around outdoor grows can also further minimizes the effect of infestations.
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WHAT’S COMING NEXT? All of the cultivators interviewed said federal legislation to legalize cannabis would be the most effective step to prevent pesticide misuse and develop best practices for cultivation. “We (the National Cannabis Industry Association) are trying to do our part by providing forums… that move toward cannabis becoming a federally accepted product.” says West. Allen says that in the meantime, states should institute regulations regarding pesticides, so that “every product on the shelf is safe.” “We need the state of California to develop (more thorough) standards for pesticides (for cannabis),” says Allen. In April 2015, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) released its first guidelines regarding pesticides and pest management for cannabis. The five-page document relied on two sources and did not delve into the details of maintaining grows or applying chemical solutions. Allen said California has an enormous influence on American agriculture. Other states will see cannabis-related regulations that the CDPR and CDFA puts into effect as instructional and authoritative.
“The consumer has got to be smart enough to know there is no organic cannabis, and to look for a certified product. They need to know that if you’re not handling certified cannabis, you’ve got a good possibility you’re supporting pesticide use and unfair labor practices.”
“We’d love to have guidance from the University of California system, which does a great deal of research on agriculture, about how to treat [cannabis] plants. We need to incentivize and reward producers who are participating in [best practices] because it’s going to be challenging. We should be enforcing [the regulations] for those who don’t participate,” says Allen. Van Hook agreed and says “California is the agricultural giant, globally.” Johnson says he thinks the market can also help drive best practices. “At this stage in the game, with no federal oversight, the only guarantee a consumer has is independent third-party certification, and a product that’s been tested that really knows.” Van Hook says dispensaries and collectives play an important part in consumer education. “The consumer has got to be smart enough to know there is no organic cannabis, and to look for a certified product. They need to know that if you’re not handling certified cannabis, you’ve got a good possibility you’re supporting pesticide use and unfair labor practices. I think that every time a dispensary or collective has taken the time to educate their consumer base, it differentiates their products from those on the market and that’s become a very good marketing tool,” says Van Hook. Billings says consumers and cultivators have the potential to work together to guide government agencies.
“Cannabis is supposed to be a healing plant; there needs to be more love and compassion in the conversation. If the intention of the industry is to help people, why are we spraying pesticides?” says Billings. “There needs to be more educational conferences, more warnings, and a list of products that are indicated as dangerous,” says Billings. Allen says that cultivators and consumers should inform government agencies as to which practices should not be encouraged. “I’m not opposed to law enforcement; we need to distinguish between cannabis agriculture and criminality,” says Allen. “Right now the criminals have a competitive advantage. It takes time, energy, and resources to grow correctly.” He also acknowledges it is dangerous to allow cannabis cultivators to proceed without more guidance, because the industry is still very young. “One nursery has the ability to affect 100 farms.” He is quick to point out that all parties can focus on a common message to help encourage cultivators to produce safely and work toward keeping the industry financially stable. “It is not a crime to grow pot. It is a crime to poison people.”
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CANNA-NEWS HEALTH
WRITER •ABIGAIL ROSS
CANNABIS bODY PRODUCTS Relaxing With a Clear Mind
HE DIVERSITY of cannabis-infused products is ever expanding, and contemporary cannabis shops now over everything from cannabis-coffee pods to CBD acne treatment. Most of us have tried a lotion or tincture by now from a local dispensary or recreational store, and these cannabis-infused products may be worth keeping in the medicine cabinet for the long haul. Cannabis-infused products are helping people unwind and reach a deeper state of relaxation, and perhaps much more effectively than other poten-
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tially harmful options, and purchasing these products supports local entrepreneurs within the cannabis community. Lacking the psychoactive high that smoking or ingesting cannabis produces, these still retain powerful therapeutic effects. These products have gained much popularity and there are so many products and goodies available now, we’re breaking it down to make it easier for people get on the path to unwinding. Nothing helps relax muscles and calm inflammation quite like a great cannabis salve, oil, or lotion. These products
will definitely perform whether sitting at a desk all day or just working out at the gym, topicals can treat a variety of ailments, wrist pain, back pain, or just plain old muscle pain can be melted away instantly with the right product. Cannabis-infused massage oils during a massage make a great add on to an already relaxing experience. Some massage therapists will offer massage with cannabisinfused products or can be open to using products the client brings from home. Make sure to ask beforehand, as laws are different in each state, and all massage therapists answer to the Dept of Health which is a government entity. It’s also important to point out that no amount of topicals will get anyone high. We contacted Megan Schwarting, owner and co-creator of their multi-Cannabis Cup winning line of topicals, Kush Creams to clarify this. She gets asked the “will it get me high” question all day, and her answer to our inquiry? “I once heard a wise doctor explaining to a patient that she could go swim in a pool full of Kush Creams™, and as long as she didn’t open her mouth and swallow a bunch of it, she would not get high or fail a urinary analysis” Megan explains. Each kind of topical on the market has slightly different levels of cannabinoids which produce a different therapeutic effects. Most products will also add essential oils and other healing herbs, that provide a wide range of medicinal effects when combined with terpinols. Try a few different options and find the one that works best. Many people are now saying they’ve left their over-the-counter pain meds behind!
WHY COMBINE EMU OIL & CANNABIS? Topicals are showing themselves effective on everything from deep neuropathic pain to simple surface irritations. Combining cannabinoids with emu oil requires consumers to use less product for a wider spectrum of ailments. Cannabinoids in topicals bind to CB2 receptors in the skin and help cells regenerate naturally, promoting healing at the dermal level. The benefits of emu are as follows: Emu oil has an abundance of essential fatty acids (EFA) containing 70% that are necessary to the human body. It’s 50% oleic acid (omega 9) which is an excellent transdermal carrier.
Baths are another great way to unwind at the end of a long, stressful day. These cannabis-infused goodies are definitely worth a try and have been said by many dealing with chronic pain to be a game-changer for them. Cannabis-infused bath bombs work similar to fizzy drink tablets, typically made up of baking soda, Epsom salt, essential oils, and in our case, infused with cannabis. Cannabis-infused bath salts are also great and sometimes easier to find for a longer soak. Both of these products will help with the end of the day unwind and help many get the most out of a good night sleep. Last but not least, cannabis-infused lip-balms deserve a place in the line up. As fall rolls in, lips are more susceptible to dryness and chapping. Cannabis lip-balm is great because it can be used anywhere you experience severe dryness or irritation. Many who suffer from regular cold sores have reported cannabis-infused lip-balms help them prevent breakouts and cut down on healing time. This may be due to the anti-viral properties of cannabis. Fortunately for all of us, the mainstream spa industry is slowly catching up in discovering how truly nourishing and relaxing cannabis infused products can be. Until then, create a cannabis spa experience from the comfort of your own home. Relax, unwind, and break out those cannabis-infused bath-bombs!
Emu oil is 15-20% linoleic acid (omega 6) and 1-3% linolenic acid (omega 3). These are powerful anti inflammatory agents and increase production of hormones like a substance called eicosanoids which jumpstarts the skin’s healing process. The Cannabis and Emu oil non polar fatty acid formulation moves through the cells easily with short chain fatty acids, performing like long chain fatty’s, it is almost 100% triglyceride lipid with no phosphorus molecules. How does this help in getting the cannabis to where it really hurts? Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) penetrate the skin deeply, and at the same time carry active compounds, like cannabinoids in this case, to where they have the most effect.
Megan Schwarting, Kush Creams™
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PATIENT CONCERNS
DISCRIMINATING H EALTHCARE
DVOCATES FOR medical cannabis have been making
great strides. More and more states are allowing for the use of medical cannabis and the versatile plant has gotten more positive press than ever before. If you live in a state like California, with medical cannabis laws, you might think that for seriously ill patients, getting medical cannabis is now an easily accessible option. What most don’t realize is that even in states that allow medical cannabis, patients suffering with serious medical conditions often face barriers to medical cannabis use. Widespread and often systematic discrimination from health-care providers poses a huge hurdle to integrating cannabis into a patient’s preexisting medical care. Ironically, healthy recreational users are often able to get a recommendation, never mention it to their primary care physician and continue to have normal medical care. However, patients who are in the most need are often under much more active medical scrutiny, and are already utilizing a variety of other treatment options. This creates a need for doctors and health organizations to educate themselves about the effects, possible drug interactions, and potential uses and benefits of cannabis, so they can appropriately advise their patients who are already using cannabis
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therapeutically. Unfortunately, many health-care institutions and insurance providers have sidestepped this need with systemwide policies against cannabis use, and instruct their doctors to simply not engage with cannabis. For patients, these uninformed cannabis policies can create incredibly dangerous situations. Patients on opiates, for example, can actually use cannabis to reduce their opiate use. In states with medical cannabis laws, deaths from opiates go down around 25%. Still, doctors regularly tell patients they need to stop using cannabis or be taken off opiates entirely. Such discriminatory policies can force patients into a difficult and otherwise unnecessary choice between cannabis and conventional medicine. I experienced a similar situation myself when I was beginning the withdrawal process from two addictive prescription medications that were no longer working for my chronic pain condition. The withdrawal process needed to be a slow one because a sudden stop could cause seizures - potentially deadly ones. Cannabis was working to manage my symptoms and I planned to continue using it to aid in the dangerous and painful withdrawal process. Unfortunately, after explaining to a new doctor how helpful
WRITER •DR. EMILY EARLENBAUGH
cannabis had been in dealing with my painful symptoms, I was told I would be drug tested. If tests came up positive for cannabis, the doctor would take me off of my other medications abruptly without a withdrawal process. Although other doctors had repeatedly warned that an abrupt stop could be fatal, the doctor explained her hands were tied. It was corporate policy. Unable to get out of the insurance plan for the year, another doctor outside of my insurance policy was needed. This required me to pay out-of-pocket for all my medical costs including doctors visits and over $500 a month in prescriptions. Looking into the insurance company’s policies on cannabis, I found that they have not publicly stated any policies against cannabis use. But their patients tell another story and online message boards are filled with stories like mine. And this company is not the only one. Given the current schedule 1 drug status of cannabis, many doctors and health institutions see cannabis as a risk - not for the patient, but for the doctor, who could face jail time if he/she is found to be “prescribing” rather than “recommending” cannabis. The safest path for doctors is to avoid cannabis completely until it is rescheduled. But for patients, this can increase risks drastically. More education for doctors about the effects of cannabis is
greatly needed. Continuing education for doctors could help fill the gap by bringing the latest cannabis research from reputable journals to the medical community. Still, until the medical institutions catch up with the science, cannabis patients should be careful about who they trust with their medical care.
“I was told I would be drug tested. If tests came up positive for cannabis, the doctor would take me off of my other medications abruptly without a withdrawal process. Although other doctors had repeatedly warned that an abrupt stop could be fatal, the doctor explained her hands were tied. It was corporate policy.”
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HEALTH
WRITER •EVAN KOPELSON
PHOTOS • GEOFFREY DONNE
Cannabis: The Gateway Drug to Higher Consciousness The Ayurvedic Perspective with Dr Seeta Narsai
BOUT FIVE years ago, I was
working at Herbalcure, one of the original therapeutic cannabis dispensaries in Los Angeles. Our marching orders from the director were clear: counsel patients, most of them military veterans, and recommend specific strains for their condition. Ask them to take it home, try it, and if it didn’t work for them, bring it back and we would swap it out for something else. The reasons patients medicate, I discovered, ranged from anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD, to problems with sleep, nausea, appetite, pain, depression, and more.
We carried dozens of varieties there, so the director encouraged us to conduct our own “product knowledge experiments,” trying each strain, comparing notes,
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asking questions of each other and our patients and collecting feedback, until we each had a working knowledge of the cannabis strains we carried and their likely therapeutic benefits and effects. Of course this was not an exact science, but it was illuminating. One observation that stood out for me was that different people often had different reactions to the same strain of cannabis. Also notable, men and women sometimes had different reactions to certain cannabis strains; other times it was people with different body shapes and sizes that had varied responses. `I became fascinated with this and started filtering these observations through my other lens, the lens of a yoga teacher. During the six years prior to working in the dispensary, I had been teaching and
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studying yoga, meditation, and various healing modalities including the sister science of yogic healing, the Indian “science of life” known as Ayurveda. Ayurveda teaches the art of living in harmony with nature. During one of the yoga teacher training courses I took, we had a section on Ayurveda, and one of the things I learned is that in India, it is not uncommon for two patients to see a doctor complaining of the same symptoms, only to be sent away by the doctor with completely different prescriptions. At first, I thought this made no sense at all, but upon further study and reflection, the wisdom in this unique approach to healing became clear. No two people are alike, and when a person is diseased, they need to become whole again in order to heal.
In other words, western medicine treats the symptom, while eastern medicine (in this case Ayurveda) treats the whole person in relation to their environment. Using this lens, I developed a theory back at Herbalcure and I started talking about cannabis and recommending cannabis to patients using the ayurvedic perspective. It seemed to work, and I gained a reputation at the dispensary for recommending the optimal strains for their conditions. Flash forward five years: I had long since left working at the dispensary, and I had just assumed my new role as California State Director for DOPE Magazine. One of the first things on my list, was to look for movers and shakers in the industry doing interesting things with cannabis, or talking about the plant in unique ways. One day I noticed a flyer one of my friends had posted on Facebook for a talk she was going to be giving at Moksha Festival, a two-day event celebrating wellness, spiritual expansion and conscious living through Yoga, Ayurveda, Sacred Music and healthy food. My friend, Dr Seeta Narsai, was about to give a speech called “One Love: Marijuana, Sex, and God — An Ayurvedic Perspective of Cannabis” Needless to say, I was intrigued. As a lay person who studied some Ayurveda in Yoga teacher training, I developed my theories about cannabis and Ayurveda, but here was an actual, credentialed Ayurvedic doctor saying the same things. Was it possible that the theory I had cooked up about cannabis and Ayurveda could actually have some credence from the perspective of an Ayurvedic doctor? I set out to answer this question by contacting Dr. Narsai, asking her to sit down and discuss cannabis, Ayurveda, and healing for this health themed issue of DOPE. She agreed, and we met several times to discuss this fascinating approach to healing and wellness. Our first meeting was at Urth Caffe in Beverly Hills, and the topic was discussing Ayurveda in general.
Evan Kopelson/DOPE: Dr. Narsai,
would you walk me through a refresher course in Ayurveda? I’d like to help people who have never heard of Ayurveda to read this article and feel like they understand it. Can we do that?
Seeta Narsai: Why of course, according to Ayurveda there are three biological forces governing both our inner and outer environments. Known as doshas, they are referred to as Vata (air/ether), Pitta (fire/ water), and Kapha (water/earth). Every human being is a unique combination of these doshas and has a dominant dosha or mind-body type. When the doshas are balanced, the body and mind are in harmony, and creative expression flows. However, if these doshas are not in sync, a person will often experience hampered creativity.
DOPE: Do the doshas correspond with what
food we eat and other forms of nourishment?
SN: Absolutely, yes. Prana (life force) is obtained from the food we eat and the air we breathe. Food contains the pranic energy of the sun via photosynthesis, and through proper digestion, we feed divine solar energy to our body, mind, and creative spirit. The digestive system is a major channel, vital in providing optimum pranic energy to the body. Knowing your dosha can help you access greater creative depths by allowing you to make better dietary and lifestyle choices which support you in actualizing the full potential of your unique mind-body type.
responsible for all movements in the body. If a person is Vata dominant, he or she tends to be thin, light, energetic, lively and changeable— just like the wind. When Vata is in balance, a person is expansive, enthusiastic and creative. However, if vata is aggravated, he or she can suffer from anxiety, fear, constipation, and may have trouble focusing his or her attention. Anxiety or nervousness can easily be remedied with grounding foods and lifestyle adjustments. Pitta is compared to the hot fire energy or the sun. If Pitta is the dominant force, a person tends to be intelligent, driven, goal-oriented, and fiery. When Pitta is functioning normally a person will have healthy digestion, the firm ability to lead, speak and make decisions. But if Pitta is out of balance, this person can be argumentative, irritable, short-tempered, and may suffer from indigestion or hyperacidity. Kapha is the cool earth energy or moon in nature. If Kapha is the most dominant force, a person tends to be nurturing, supportive, caring, relaxed, easy-going, and affectionate. If Kapha balanced, a person will be calm, strong, sweet, grounded, stable, and supportive. However, when kapha is imbalanced, a person may suffer from depression, lethargy, weight gain, and sluggish digestion.
DOPE: So these three doshas then in essence make up a person’s energetic constitution?
DOPE: Once someone knows their dosha,
SN: Exactly, and then we can balance these qualities by the choices we make in our diet and lifestyle. This is Ayurvedic healing in a nutshell. Just as the three doshas are represented in individuals, every food has a dominant dosha. Vata foods (light, cold, dry, bitter) like popcorn, expand our cognitive function, but can be ungrounding. Pitta foods (spicy, salty) like bell peppers, stimulate blood flow but can be overheating and anger provoking; Kapha foods (sweet, heavy) like meat, dairy, and bananas, are grounding, but in excess can cause lethargy and stagnation. A proper intake of food based on your unique mind-body type is important to leading a balanced creative life.
SN: That there is the question. Let’s talk a bit about the three doshas and what each of them brings to the table for an individual. Vata is the wind force in nature that is
A couple weeks later we met at Seeta’s office so we could talk more about the ayurveda and cannabis connection, and I could recieve a brief ayurvedic assessment. On a beautiful street in a residential section of Los Angeles, Dr. Narsai’s office is in a house
DOPE: How does one find their dosha? SN: Well, there is a Dosha quiz you can take online to get a rough idea. You can search online and find them easily, but for more accurate reading one should schedule a consultation with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor. what do we do with that information to help us reach our full creative potential in life?
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including cannabis, and came up with over fourty names for the plant to describe its many healing properties. One of the names for cannabis is VIJAYA, which means “victorious” and another is SIDDHI which means “success giver, unusual skill or faculty.” Other names attributed to the cannabis plant reference laughter, bliss, movement, joy, knowledge, and strength… all qualities that people may experience when taking the plant.
DOPE: Why do you think that
cannabis has a special place in the world of Ayurvedic healing?
SN: You know, all the sister sciences of yoga, tantra, ayurveda, jyotish (vedic astrology), and all the vedas share a common goal of self-realization.
“From the food we eat, to the lifestyle choices we make, to the type of cannabis we choose for our condition and our constitution, taking the time to commune with the plant by offering a prayer and setting an intention can make a big difference in the way we feel.” that has been fully converted to office space by her business partner. I noticed the space was conducive to healing immediately upon entering; soft yoga music played in the background, and there was a relaxing scent in the air that reminded me of incense, only without the smoke. Before we began, Seeta asked if we could do some mantra together. This means sitting down and chanting an invocation. We chose a Ganesha mantra to remove obstacles (in Yoga, it is common to start all spiritual practice by invoking the elephant faced deity Ganesha to remove obstacles) and a few other choice yoga chants. This helped us relax and feel grounded before starting to talk. When the conversation turned to cannabis and ayurveda, Dr. Narsai became energized and I could tell she has authentic passion for this subject matter.
DOPE: Are you encountering any
resistance from others in your field when you talk about cannabis and Ayurveda?
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SN: Actually, I was quite nervous about this when I started, but I have found that for the most part people are very supportive, especially the more they learn about the unique place that cannabis has in the world of plants. You may not know this but roughly 9% of the American population uses cannabis medically or recreationally, and over 100 million people in the United States admit to having tried cannabis. Yet there is still a negative stigma surrounding cannabis, and I would like to see that change. Instead of fearing a plant, we can learn to respect and revere the plant for the healing properties that it offers.
DOPE: Can you talk more about the specific place that cannabis has in the world of Ayurveda?
SN: Sure. You know the ancient sages of India had reverence for all plants,
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It is said that the spiritual paths to enlightenment vary, but the goal remains the same. Cannabis, when used properly, can absolutely help open the doors to self-realization. We talked a lot about the connection between cannabis and self-realization, and Seeta brought up Rastafarianism, and how the Rastafarians have always used cannabis as part of a religious sacrament. The Rastafarians hold the belief that the cannabis plant possesses the power to revitalize and invigorate all life on earth. Rastas have a great reverence for plants, life, and mother nature. Before lighting a chalice, a prayer is offered up. In Yoga, we call this “Bhava” or acting with a sacred intention from the heart.
DOPE: Is that what one would
do when taking cannabis ayurvedically, offer up a prayer?
SN: Certainly, this will help unlock the gifts that the plant has to offer. I see cannabis as a medicine to help you become aware of yourself. If you take cannabis medicinally and with spiritual intent, it can really help you figure out who you are on a very dynamic level, in conjunction with other Ayurvedic practices. DOPE: Is cannabis is a mindfulness tool? SN: Well that is an interesting question, because many people feel the two cannot
co-exist. Now on the ultimate realm, all you need is meditation. The great yogi saints who have achieved self-realization will not use cannabis, but for many people who are on the spiritual path or just getting started (where we can feel very much trapped in the rhythms and cycles of modern society and all its distractions), cannabis can really be a gateway to higher consciousness.
SN: Absolutely. One does not have to be spiritual or religious to benefit from knowledge. Have you heard about the Japanese scientist who did experiments on water molecules?
DOPE: So is cannabis really
DOPE: Are you talking about Masaru
a gateway drug then?
SN: Yes, but not a gateway drug to other drugs…a gateway drug to higher consciousness. DOPE: I have never heard Ayurveda compared before to Rastafarianism.
SN: Jamaica was heavily influenced by Vedic culture. In Rasta culture they call the very best cannabis flowers Kali. Kali is one of the feminine aspects of Shiva, the God of destruction (of ego). Often until one takes cannabis, one can not become aware of some of their own idiosyncrasies and the root causes. That is why cannabis can be such a powerful herb for those who are practicing the spiritual path of self-realization. There are definitely connections between these spiritual practices as healing modalities, especially if you pray before every hit. Cannabis, like every plant, is the embodiment of light energy. Ayurveda and Rastafarianism share the idea that in order to fully unlock the secrets of healing that the cannabis plant has to offer, it is important to have total communion with the herb. In making the prayer, we are speaking to the plant, and then listening deeply for the answers to unveil themselves. When we make a prayer and set an intention, we are showing reverence for the plant. Our ancestors had a deep reverence for plants and all living beings. We can tap into the hidden source of information and power within the plant through prayer and mantra. This is something Ayurveda shares with Rastafarianism that I have discovered in my research into these topics.
DOPE: What about people who
do not consider themselves to be religious or even spiritually minded. Can they take away anything from this discussion that can help them?
Emoto’s book “Messages from Water” where he published microscopic images of water molecules after pasting different messages on cups of water?
SN: Yes, exactly. Dr. Emoto photographed water molecules after pasting notes on them, and what he discovered was astounding. The water molecules changed shape dramatically when different messages were attached to the cups of water. The message “Thank you” resulted in a beautiful molecular shape, whereas the message “You make me sick, I will kill you” resulted in a horribly deformed molecule. What can we take from this? The human body is over 80% water. How do you think it affects us when we have positive or negative messages running through our minds 24/7? The takeaway is simple: give thanks before you eat, and before you take cannabis, and allow the energy of your gratitude to penetrate the food and the plant before you take it into your body. The result will be palatable.
DOPE: It is widely said that sativa
works on the mind, and indica works on the body. What about the different varieties of cannabis, and the many different strains of each variety?
SN: The energetics of a plant vary from plant to plant, and also according to what part of the plant is used, and how it is used. Sativa is more Vata from an Ayurvedic perspective, with thinner leaf structure, while indica has more robust leaves and has more Kapha qualities, so that assessment makes sense. To cap off our adventures in Ayurveda, we went out for a bite to eat; I wanted to look at a menu and see if I could apply any of this new knowledge. I asked Seeta what type of food she would recommend, and she said her first thought was Ethiopian food because they use
a lot of great spices. However, she just had Ethiopian for lunch, so she suggested Thai food because it was mostly vegetarian and also used great spices. I had just had Thai food the night before, so we opted for the third choice: vegan. We ended up at a fancy vegan place on Melrose called Crossroads, by famous vegan chef Tal Ronnen. The appetizers looked delicious, including a crisp watermelon salad that caught my eye, as well as a tomato watermelon gazpacho. I pointed those out and said how much I would like to try them. Dr. Narsai quashed both of these, and told me to order the Housemade Pickled Vegetables instead. “The pickled vegetables are gonna be really good for digestion,” she said. For similar reasons, Seeta had me order the Spicy Fennel Kimchi Pancakes as a main course. “Fennel is good for digestion, reduces heat in the body, makes you smell good, and is a natural fat burner,” she says. The food tasted great, and I quickly realized there is more to this Ayurveda stuff than meets the eye. I would never have chosen the items Dr Narsai picked out for me, but they did leave me feeling satisfied and not overly stuffed. We ended the night by taking a walk, discussing everything we had covered during our prior meetings. What I take away from this experience is that Ayurveda is a science rich with wisdom about how we can live more mindfully, more in balance with our surroundings, and thus achieve a better state of health and fulfillment. From the food we eat, to the lifestyle choices we make, to the type of cannabis we choose for our condition and our constitution, taking the time to commune with the plant by offering a prayer and setting an intention can make a big difference in the way we feel. And as the saying goes, “If you can feel it, you can heal it.”
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CANNA-NEWS
WRITER & PHOTOS •KIMBERLY CARGILE
D R. M ARION F RY
T
ODAY, DR . Marion “Mollie” Fry was released from Federal custody. After spending the majority of the last five years of her precious life in prison for defending patient’s rights everywhere, Mollie Fry M.D. is back! I was deeply honored to sit down with one of the greatest heroines in the movement to hear her story of perseverance, faith and determination. When I asked how she was doing, she responded, “I am so grateful for the place I am in my life.” In 1997, she was stricken with cancer. Treated with conventional chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, she started using cannabis to combat the severe side effects of chemotherapy following an oral recommendation of her doctor. At that time no cancer doctor was willing to provide a written recommendation for medical cannabis, which led to the El Dorado County Sheriff investigation of her person garden. As a result Mollie became “incredibly aware of the injustice that a law passed by the voters of California to protect sick, dying and disabled people had become the focus of law enforcements persecution.” Despite her illness she realized she had the power to write recommendations and protect patients from law enforcement. In 1999, as she was still fighting cancer, Mollie Fry M.D. and her husband, Dale Schafer, Esq. opened one of the first medical cannabis practices in California. Patients first
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met with Dale Esq. to determine their legal rights within Proposition 215, after which they were seen by Mollie M.D. to determine if medical cannabis would be beneficial in relieving their various symptoms. The California Medical Research Clinic in Cool, California was the first of its kind. Patients were very afraid to assert their rights under the new law, butw Mollie and Dale worked without ceasing to promote research and expand the reach of cannabis for therapeutic use through education and activism. By June of 2000 it was obvious to Mollie that the surgery and chemotherapy had failed. The cancer was spreading throughout her body, and as the disease progressed she became unable to work, but kept the clinic open with the use of physician’s assistants. By December she was confined to her room. Mollie recalls that time in her life,“My husband had told the children to say goodbye to their mother because this was her last Christmas. I was locked in extreme grief and sorrow when I believe I had a deep and meaningful contact with God through prayer that resulted in my miraculous healing.” As she explained just how this happened, tears of pain and joy filled both our eyes. It is an experience not many people are blessed with. Mollie Fry M.D. had experienced life as a patient, and she could relate to a patient’s physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual pain. She explains, “It was this intimate contact with God that made me recognize there was nothing more important
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“In 1999, as she was still fighting cancer, Mollie Fry M.D. and her husband, Dale Schafer, Esq. opened one of the first medical cannabis practices in California.”
to me in life [other] than working to free God’s medicine.” Mollie and her husband where spreading the truth about cannabis before it was accepted, and this put them in a very vulnerable landscape where unenlightened and thus uncompassionate powers interfere. Her office and home were raided in September of 2001. Mollie, her 14 year old son and her 9 month old granddaughter, where enjoying an autumn afternoon at home alone when armed officers barged through the door. As her granddaughter slept in the bedroom, Mollie and her son where held to the floor with guns to their heads. As her son lay sobbing next to her, she said over and over, “We submit, you are welcome in our home.” There were no arrests at the time of the raid but this day demonstrated the lengths to which federal agents would stoop to persecute and prosecute over a medicinal herb. The next morning the clinic opened as usual with Mollie hand writing recommendations, since all the computers had been seized. She knew that she was adhering to the oath of doing no harm and helping patients find relief by recommending a natural non-toxic alternative. However, she did not comprehend the will of the people could be so easily violated by federal authorities. She did not fully understand that being a leader in implementation of the Compassionate Use Act could really send her to prison. In June of 2005, almost 5 years after the raid, Mollie Fry M.D. and Dale Schafer Esq. were arrested. In September of 2007, the 5th day trial was carried out with the judge not allowing the state medical marijuana defense for the plants that were growing on their property. Since the federal government denies that there is any medical value to cannabis, and even though Mollie and Dale were educated, upstanding, and respected citizens that followed the law, the federal government took their lives as they knew it. The Controlled Substances Act supersedes state law even when voted in by the people.; without a defense,
they were each sentenced to a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison. I attended the protest on May 2, 2011, as Mollie and Dale surrendered to sixty months in confinement. After serving 87% of that time due to good behavior, Mollie Fry M.D. is a survivor once again. When I ask of her insights from prison, she replies, “Life is about choices. I made the choice to stand up against the government. I made a choice to stand up for a higher moral law, to stand up for the rights of sick people, and I would make that choice again.” Many states have followed California’s lead in implementing laws to protect patient rights to cannabis as a medicine since 1996. Popular opinion has shifted as well, since Dr. Sanja Gupta and Dr. Oz illuminated the topic on national television. Now the general public is starting to understand people should have
the right to heal themselves by any means necessary. Over the years Mollie has gained huge support across the United States for her mission. When I ask her, “What does the future hold for you?” She replies, “I have many projects I am working on…to educate people regarding the benefits of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. I am involved in helping modify legislation; I’m also investigating the possibility of reinstating my license with the California Medical Board. I’m taking time for spiritual healing, and taking the time to reconnect with my children and their children to form a strong family unit again.” She is currently working on a book titled, I’ll take the Rocks, covering her remarkable spiritual journey during her complete healing from cancer. Today she is “Deeply moved to continue the fight to free God’s medicine, despite the rocky road.”
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CANNA-NEWS
a
TRIMMER’S gUIDE
for Self-Maintenance
RIMMING CANNABIS flowers is ar-
guably the most tedious and meticulous step in the production process. Trimmers provide the final touch and can make or break the outcome of a product, but with great responsibility comes great reward and trim rooms can be a magical place. A place where camaraderie forms and lasting relationships are made. Trimming can also take quite a toll on the body mentally and physically. Manicuring is tedious, repetitive work whether the techniques used are hand trimming or working with a machine, and therefore taking care of body and mind is critical. Trimming typically requires a lot of sitting, and most health care professionals recommend standing and stretching every two hours to keep blood flowing at a healthy rate. If a work environment is conducive to a 5-10 minute walk, great! If not, some yoga stretches for that amount of time will also work. The best stretches for sitting long periods of time are forward folds, lunges, and spinal twists, and wrist stretches as well, especially if trimming by hand. Trim work is traditionally paid by weight, and this approach may encourage trimmers to skip breaks throughout the workday. If one desires to make trimming a full time gig, and NOT suffer from physical discomfort down the road, then skipping breaks is simply not an option. A great way to care for the body in between trimming sessions is to book a massage. Many trimmers neglect their bodies and end up with irrevocable damage. Wrist issues and back pain are especially no fun, since they can affect almost everything in daily life. Some may see the expense of a massage as frivolous, but it’s necessary. Many therapists are flexible and will work with clients financially, so
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make sure to ask. Some insurance companies will even cover part of the expense, and wrists and shoulders will be thankful! Nourish the body with healthy foods. It’s easy to fall into the trap of eating junk food while trimming. Sweets and energy drinks can feel like they help by giving an initial jolt, but in the end the crash and feel terrible. Consuming high amounts of stimulating food without moving too much throughout the day will cause brain fog. Guaranteed, a trimmer will feel much better at the end of a strenuous workday if the sugar intake is kept low and the veggies high. Trimming can also take a toll on the mind. Staring at those beautiful cannabis flowers for hours on end can actually lose its magic when eyes start crossing and your brain turns to mush. Some trimmers like to binge on TV and movies, and visual entertainment can be fun but includes some downsides. First off, anything visual can be distracting to the task at hand. Even if someone feels they can watch and work at the same time, chances are your bosses don’t think so. Music is great, but audio books and podcasts can be a mentally nourishing alternative. Check out podcasts on interesting subjects perhaps never studied because the time was never available. How about trying out a new language? The possibilities are endless for keeping the mind sharp while working a repetitive job. Audio books can also be fun in a group setting as well, as great stories tend to spark intellectual conversations. Trimming is incredibly rewarding when done right, and trim rooms tend to be filled with adventurous types which can make for great conversation. The task can also be a great focus for meditation, and many find the act very therapeutic, so protecting the body can help folks stay part of the fun for the long haul.
WRITER •ABIGAIL ROSS
“Trimming is incredibly rewarding when done right, and trim rooms tend to be filled with adventurous types which can make for great conversation.”
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CANNA-NEWS BUSINESS
WRITER •HEATHER COONS
nEWwEST
PHOTOS • JIM MCALPINE
t ECHNOLOGIES uNVEILED AT THE NEW WEST SUMMIT
F
ORTUNE MAGAZINE recently published an article that declared the cannabis industry one of the hottest growing money makers in the US, and with an estimated $3.7 billion in legal sales and $10 billion a year impacting the economy, both Silicon Valley and capitol investors are scrambling to get a piece of this American pie. As a result, new technology seems to be hitting the market almost daily, making it quite a challenge to remain on top of what’s hot and what’s not. So what are latest and greatest innovations taking the cannabis industry by storm in 2016? It’s all going to be unveiled at the New West Summit. Taking place November 20 and 21 at Parc 55 Hotel, Union Square in San Francisco, the New West Summit will be the first conference of its kind to focus solely on new technology, media and businesses exclusively tailored to the cannabis industry. One thousand of the world’s leading professionals in this rapidly-expanding market will gather together to discuss upcoming trends in legalization, funding, mobile apps, and more. Another areas of focus will cover disruptive technologies in cultivation, vaporization and extraction.
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Keynote speakers will cut through the hype as they examine what’s next for crowd funding, public companies, non-profit companies and venturebacked start-ups. Streamlining business infrastructure with new audit systems and POS and CMS software will also be part of the conference, as will discussions covering custom branding, marketing, social media and editorial trends. Vendors will be able to capitalize on this golden opportunity with exhibits. Booths will be set up so products can be introduced to new customers and investors, and the latest in high-end apparatuses and cultivation equipment will be on display. Plus, since you can’t have a cannabis conference without, well, cannabis, there will be some of the country’s finest smoke and edibles available. The keynote speakers of this conference are some of the industries leading thinkers and trailblazers. Panelists include: Smell the Truth editor David Downs; Eaze CEO Keith McCarty; cannabis media expert Gaynell Rogers; Green Flower Media’s Max Simon; VapeXHale’s Seibo Chen; Y Meadow’s David Hua; and Harborside Health Center founder and author Stephen DeAngelo.
The speakers aren’t the only big names participating in the conference. Some of the sponsors of this event include Bloomberg, The Mercury News, East Bay Express, The Hash, the Sacramento Bee, and the San Francisco Chronicle. The New West Summit won’t be without its own thrills and entertainment. The one and only Pato Banton, one of reggae’s biggest superstars, will be performing a private concert for ticket holders only. Best part: the concert is free! So, who’s idea was it to hold a conference that entertains, educates and exhibits the newest technologies while bringing in large capitol investors? Put your hands together for Jim McAlpine and Dean Arbit. McAlpine is a long-time special-events producer in the Bay City area. He’s best know for his Snowbomb Ski and snow sports events brand, and also happens to be the creator of the ever-popular 420 Games. For those unfamiliar with these sporting events, they take place across the West coast with the positive message that cannabis consumers are healthy and active, not just the unfit couch potatoes portrayed by propaganda. Arbit founded the highly successful company, West Coast Outdoor Media. Although he eventually sold it, he did go on to co-found TruMedia and currently publishes Smell the Truth.
McAlpine told Dope that he and Arbit devised the idea of the New West Summit because they saw an “immediate unmet need for extreme focus on new and disruptive technologies.” For those unfamiliar with the term, disruptive technologies are new technologies that displace established technology, which shakes up an industry. “What sets the New West Summit apart from other cannabis conferences is the focus we’re placing on technology,” states McAlpine. “We’re going to show the market place how going high tech will become a key component in the integration of cannabis into mainstream culture.” “We see technology as the driver behind much of the innovation and growth in the cannabis business sector,” Arbit says. “We’re offering cannabis leaders access to established Silicon Valley innovators willing to share their experiences and perspectives first hand.” What are some of these disruptive technologies that will be introduced to the cannabis industry at the New West Summit? Unfortunately, there won’t be any sneak peeks. To find out, we’ll just have to purchase a ticket and attend the conference. The two-day, ten-panel conference runs $395 per person, and tickets are expected to sell out, so get your tickets early and we’ll see you at the summit!
“We’re going to show the market place how going high tech will become a key component in the integration of cannabis into mainstream culture.”
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Sacramento's Finest Dispensary ���� El Camino Ave. www.1841ElCamino.com
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e want 1841 to serve as the cornerstone of community and holistic health. Looking ahead, we are excited about our plans to offer a variety of healing services to help each patient meet their individual medical needs and improve the quality of their daily lives.
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