NOVEMBER 2020
find our recipe for Bourbon-Maple Pumpkin Pie at elevatenv.com
THE CANNABIS FACTOR Bringing Unity to the Political Divide this Holiday Season
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After Covid-19 hit the U.S. in March resulting in Nevada’s cannabis industry being designated “essential,” there was a collective sigh of relief. It could have gone either way and both patients and the industry were thankful that Governor Sisolak understood the value of cannabis, which by the way has come a long way baby—to ironically misappropriate the famous Virginia Slims’ tagline from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Of all the people I have spoken to about cannabis receiving essential status earlier this year, Ryan Bondhus, Nevada Purchasing Director at Ayr Strategies, summed it up best: “Isn’t it incredible how we went from being menaces to society, to being okay to sell, and then within a short time period we became essential? And we have been doing the same thing the whole time. Menace to society, to quasi legal, to now essential. It’s insane. I wish it would have been a different circumstance other than a worldwide shutdown to recognize that cannabis is essential.” Indeed, just three years ago cannabis would have never found itself on the “essential” list of anything, except things you shouldn’t do if you wanted to stay out of jail or not incur a case of the strangely monikered reefer madness. But because cannabis time moves at lightning speed, here we are in the middle of a pandemic with a weed industry legally open for business. Of course, it’s largely due to the medical benefits that cannabis offers. If you think that’s bunk, ask a cancer patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and can’t sleep or has no appetite. They will tell you cannabis can stimulate both. Or the migraine sufferer who feels a headache coming on and takes a gummy and it magically abates. Then there are the children who take a daily dose of
CBD oil to control seizures resulting from epilepsy. I could go on and on…glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, PTSD… But cannabis as an industry, although very much in its infancy, brings more than just medical benefits to the party. Cannabis also pays taxes. Not only does the industry pay a 15% Wholesale Marijuana Tax into Nevada’s education fund (Distributive School Account) but the industry also collects a 10% Retail Marijuana Tax that funnels directly into the state’s reserve or “rainy day” fund. Since recreational marijuana became legal in Nevada three years ago, the cannabis industry has contributed an estimated $157 million into the state’s reserve fund. With the shortfall of tax revenue, estimated to be anywhere from $741 million to $911 million from a lack of gaming and sales taxes to the state’s coffers due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdown, the state has had to find ways to plug revenue holes. In May, the Nevada Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee met and at Governor Sisolak’s recommendation voted to tap the state’s reserve fund accessing approximately $400 million in revenue, transferring it to the state’s general budget account. I’ve heard countless people vociferously opine that both of the state’s marijuana taxes should go to Nevada’s education system, and no one would disagree with that. That is until a pandemic no one accounted for shakes the state’s economy to its core. Then we are all thankful that Governor Sandoval had the foresight to add a tax that put money aside for a “rainy” day, and grateful Governor Sisolak had the wisdom to deem cannabis essential. Happy Thanksgiving!
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From reality TV to comic books, cannabis entertainment offerings abound this fall By Josh Bell
DENNIS: THE MAN WHO LEGALIZED CANNABIS
GROWING BELUSHI
Although cannabis legalization has accelerated in recent years, the movement has been around for decades, and this 20-minute documentary short highlights one of the earliest cannabis activists to implement real change. Dennis Peron opened the Cannabis Buyer’s Club in San Francisco in 1991 to provide medicinal cannabis to AIDS patients during the height of that epidemic. Also that year, he led the efforts to pass a bill legalizing medical cannabis in San Francisco, and he did the same for a statewide California bill in 1996. Peron died in 2018, but the documentary features testimony from friends, family and patients about his tireless efforts, at a time when he was often the only public voice for legalization. Archival footage shows Peron in his element, speaking at rallies and appearing in court during the frequent challenges to his activities. It’s a slick, engaging tribute to a largely unsung hero of the cannabis movement, and a reminder of the sacrifices people like Dennis made to get cannabis where it is today. Watch free online at boneandgold.com/work/dennis-the-man-who-legalized-cannabis
Actor Jim Belushi generated a few headlines when he converted his property in southern Oregon into a cannabis farm several years ago, and this three-episode reality show chronicles his efforts to bring his Belushi’s Farm products to a wider market. Like a lot of reality shows featuring businesses run by colorful characters, Growing Belushi often resembles a sitcom, with a supporting cast that includes Belushi’s cousin and farm business manager Chris Karakosta, a couple of slacker employees, and Captain Jack, a renowned cannabis grower whose strains were popular among early Saturday Night Live cast members (including Belushi’s late brother John). But it also features the exuberant Belushi offering up earnest cannabis education, and his travels to Colombia to learn about that country’s complicated history of cultivation. Belushi’s boundless energy can get a bit exhausting, especially when he’s singing and dancing and bouncing around, but his genuine passion for the healing powers of cannabis shines through. Belushi may be an incorrigible ham, but he’s a ham with a message. Streaming via cable on demand and the Discovery Go app, and available for digital purchase.
LOAFY Saturday Night Live alum Bobby Moynihan created and stars in this goofy Comedy Central digital animated series about a stoner manatee named Loafy, who deals marijuana out of his tank at the zoo. Moynihan recruited tons of his comedy pals to voice other ridiculous characters, including Ron Funches as Loafy’s wide-eyed son, Cecily Strong as Loafy’s hipster human girlfriend, Jay Pharoah as an angry zookeeper and Kevin Smith as a camel named Mar Camel who thinks he’s Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame. The show is filled with that kind of smart-dumb humor, much of it the result of improvisation among the voice actors, which is then translated into animation (there’s at least one instance in which you can still hear an actor about to crack up during an improv session). Loafy goes on a diet, accidentally becomes famous on social media, and plays Dungeons & Dragons, among other low-stakes activities, and the episodes (which only run about six minutes each) have the same affable appeal as hanging out with your baked buddy on the couch. Streaming on Comedy Central’s app and YouTube channel.
CBD NATION Although it doesn’t necessarily break new ground in its case for the medical benefits of cannabis, director Dennis Jakubovic’s documentary feature presents its material clearly and forcefully, using a number of affecting personal stories to illustrate the importance of safe, legal access to medicinal cannabis. Jakubovic lays out the basics of how cannabis interacts with the human body, and he details the sometimes spotty history of medical cannabis research, often hindered by governmental restrictions. The movie’s interviewees are serious experts with impressive credentials, and Jakubovic takes a clear, rational approach to presenting his evidence. He also puts human faces to the facts and figures, from a devoutly religious single father who used cannabis to treat his son’s severe epilepsy (and eventually opened his own dispensary), to a plucky tween girl who lobbied her state legislature after cannabis helped treat a potentially deadly tumor in her skull. Anyone well-versed in the medical cannabis movement will probably find little new here, but it’s a solid, well-produced intro to the subject for a wider audience. Available for VOD rental.
GRENDEL, KENTUCKY
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The classic story of Beowulf gets a modern update filtered through exploitation movies, Sons of Anarchy and Smokey and the Bandit, in this comic book series from writer Jeff McComsey and artist Tommy Lee Edwards. In the early 1970s the town of Grendel is the pot capitol of Kentucky, with an empire run by the Wallace family. What’s the secret to the town’s dominance in the underground weed market? It’s a monster that lives in an old coal mine, which must be appeased with a human sacrifice once a season. But when Clyde Wallace dies while attempting to take on the monster, it’s up to his foster daughter Marnie to avenge Clyde’s death and destroy the monster for good. Marnie is a badass biker who runs an all-female motorcycle gang called The Harlots, and she makes for an entertaining twist on the Beowulf figure, while Edwards’ art captures the scuzzy exploitation style and the Southern Gothic tone. Issues #1-2 available at comic book shops and digital retailers.
elevatenv.com | november 8
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A FORK IN THE ROAD When the signs serendipitously lead you down the path you’re meant to forge By Deborah L. Costella
There are a few other early-bird hikers who, like me, briskly make their way around bends and over fallen tree trunks, dried leaves, and debris crunching like bags of chips beneath our boots. But I’m alone when my body quiets with that shadowy, déjà vu sensation, immobilized and uncertain. Which way should I go—to the left or right? Stranger still, though I’ve hiked this trail many times before, I don’t recall this fork in the road. Ordinarily, I lean towards making quick decisions, open and curious to what might unfold. Not this time. Standing here on this clear stunning morning, I can’t decide which path to take. I extend my neck in each direction to see what lay beyond. I turn ‘round and with splayed hands rub my fingertips against my forehead. After a quick and deep inhale, I jerk back around and take a giant step toward the left. Decision made. I know it’s the right one when a magnificent, red-shouldered hawk catches my eye. The whuft-whuft-whuft of her flapping wings as she swoops down from the branch of a tall pine, then with a loud screech, soars even higher into a faded blue sky. Thoughts of Michael surface. I shake them away. An avid ornithologist, I hadn’t realized just how much he’d taught me. Already, I’ve recognized three different species of birds thanks to him. At the start of this hike, I’d spotted an old aluminum plate, battered and black with soot, leaning against a tree. Walking over, I’d brushed it off, recalling the lesson I’d taught a group of fourth-graders about how people used “trenchers”—a flat,
round piece of stale bread to hold food before the invention of plates. Now, I encounter a cup hanging from a tree branch. Secured with fishing line, the blue and white speckled cup swings wistfully in the breeze. Without evidence of any campers nearby, I use my pocketknife to cut it down and stuff it into my backpack with the plate. I resume walking, contemplating my finds and their significance, trying to avoid thoughts of Michael. I’ll have to Google plates, but know cups are associated with water. In the tarot, the Suit of Cups pertains to situations and events of an emotional nature. I’ve been emotional lately and it has reflected in my cooking with comfort-food dishes. If I hadn’t been looking down, I would’ve missed it. But there it was, tucked beside a California lilac bush—a real fork in the road. The three tines bent, one completely sideways like a wild hair. With head cocked to the side, I circle the bush, taking heed of a recent promise to pay better attention. Look for signs, I’ve been telling myself, hoping some sort of clear directive will emerge. I pick up the fork. Returning home, sweaty and fatigued from hiking, I excitedly tear open my backpack and set my treasures on the counter. Admiring my finds, my heart sinks when I realize Michael is not here to share in my discoveries. My eyes linger on one of his many glass-blown bong pipes he’s left behind. Reaching into the cupboard my hand bumps his “World’s Best Boyfriend (is there one?)” mug. He’d bought it for me as a joke during our first getaway weekend in Newport. We were trying
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to come up with a moniker for our relationship—girlfriend/ boyfriend, soul mates, life partners—none appealed to us until we saw the mug. It wasn’t that long ago, we could both exhale comfortably here. There are still parts of our home I take solace in. The crazy way we painted the interior, each wall a different color. After an entire weekend painting, we sat on our second-hand couch, sharing a joint and munching on a charcuterie platter, admiring our work. Michael sighed. When I asked, ‘What?’ he laughingly said it was going to be like living in a cupboard filled with Fiesta ware. He was right, it was, and I loved it. Our home was eclectic but cozy—my cookbooks, his artwork, my chef’s tools and electrics, his brushes and air compressors, his pipes, my papers, our weed. I shake these thoughts from my head. It’s time to prepare my weekly canna-dinner party. I do these dinners to practice and try out new infusions. Fortunately, I never run out of willing guinea pigs. I ceremoniously wash my three finds from this morning. Then spread the tie-dyed table runner I made last month across the table and arrange my treasures in my version of a 3-D installation. Plate on the bottom. No, too predictable. Cup first, on its side. Then I lean the plate against the cup, in the same position I found it. The fork is set, slightly askew, a few inches away. Satisfied with my handiwork I head out to the garden. While hiking I’d decided to tap into the abundance of butternut squash for a seasonal twist on my entrée—one of Michael’s favorites, enchiladas. Yielding to this masochistic desire to cook something he’d enjoy felt like succumbing to the screaming, tantrum-throwing child inside me: So, what if I kicked him out! Now I want him here! There wasn’t any point in arguing with my inner self. Besides, I reasoned, infused Butternut Squash Enchiladas with Cinnamon-Spiked Créma Sauce would be a delight for anyone sitting at my table, not just him. A salad with jicama and green apples to give the meal some crunch and texture, a garlic-lime vinaigrette for “high” notes and one of my childhood favorites, maduros. Plantains flattened with a tortilla press then sautéed in a mixture of beurre noisette and granulated sugar. I garnish mine with bits of candied ginger. Looking at my watch, I hurry to the kitchen. Then it happens, as it always does. Magic. An energy that dances and swirls its way around me as I tie my apron around my waist. Everything in the kitchen comes alive as if sprinkled with culinary fairy dust. My worries and woes dissipate. I don’t question myself about anything. I’m centered and in my happy place. After massaging the split squash I’d commandeered from the garden with canna-oil, salt and pepper, I pop it into the oven. Moving on to dessert, I cautiously cook a sugar and water mixture on the stove until it turns a dark amber. Thick and dangerously hot, like the oozing of a glue gun, I swirl a generous
amount of the candy coating into individual ramekins. Then the flan—a velvety, eggy mixture, the herbaceous undertones of the canna-cream tamed with fresh orange zest and the essence of a scraped vanilla bean pod. The afternoon sped by and was suddenly nudging against happy hour when the screen door slams and Michael enters the kitchen. His worn and raggedy overalls held together with more paint than thread, strands of his dishwater-blond hair resting on long black lashes. Dropping my spoon into the pot of flan I ask, “What are you doing here?” The audacity, thinking he can just walk in. Ignoring my question but nodding at the clock he pours two glasses of wine then leans over inhaling the roasted and caramelized squash cooling on a sheet pan. “I’ve been texting you, asking if it was okay to come and get some of my stuff. When you didn’t answer, I thought I should stop by and make sure everything’s okay. I see it’s canna-dinner night.” His eyes scan the mess of ingredients strewn across the counter. “Enchiladas?! Is it okay to taste?” Nodding, I watch him dip a large spoon into the smoky-red concoction burping and bubbling on the stove. He smacks his lips in approval. Reaching in for a second taste, I warn him, “Careful, that sauce is heavily infused.” “Just the way I like it.” A lengthy pause follows. Is he hoping I’ll ask him to stay for dinner? Is that why I was strangely set on preparing enchiladas; a part of me knew he’d show up? Did I make them in hopes he’d show up? “What’s with your centerpiece? Looks like one of my art installations in its beginning phases.” Michael smiles, his turquoise-blue eyes inviting me in, adding to the intoxicating effect of his southern accent. “I found them this morning while hiking. One by one. It was so weird, they were just, there. My stumbling upon them must mean something.” “What could they mean? Besides use us when camping or homeless?” “I don’t know, but clearly, I was supposed to find them. Michael, there was a fork in the road on that trail we used to hike. I didn’t remember it being there. Do you remember a fork on Calico?” “No.” “Right? But there it was. I couldn’t decide which way to go, right or left…” “Since when can you not make a decision?” A dig, he always has to make a dig. “Anyway, I went left and kept finding these things. What if I’d taken the path to the right?” “You’d have fresh flowers on the table instead of this worn place setting?” My jaw tightens, my teeth clench. Michael moves on to sampling my cilantro dressing. I’m annoyed by the way he’s eating it. Then I feel badly about my mean thoughts. Poor
way, made me feel happy. I was happiest when eating your food, other than that, not so much. I can’t remember the last time we did anything together. We don’t hike, we don’t go to movies, well pandemic did that, but we haven’t been a real couple for a while.” My gaze moves downward, as though the chipped nail polish on my toes is the most pressing issue in my life. “You’ve stopped showing interest in me, Erika. All you do anymore is cook for me.” All you do is cook for me? The words loop inside my head. “That’s a lot, Michael. I don’t just cook for anybody.” “Yes, you do. You get paid to cook for anybody who walks into the restaurant.” “That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about how I cook for you. From the heart. For our friends, our family and for you, Michael, I cook from the heart. When I can’t talk to you, I cook for you. When I’m cranky and have been short with you, I cook to tell you I’m sorry. When I’m sad, cooking for you lifts my spirits. When I’m drenched in crazy love for you, I cook. To say, ‘all I do is cook for you,’ is a pretty big thing for you to miss!” But it was true. I had stopped doing everything but cook for him. I’m a cook. It’s what I do. Cooking for people is usually the first thing I do for them. And apparently, when there’s nothing else left, it’s the last. I needed to think, “You’re right,” I sigh. “Can we sleep on this and talk about it tomorrow?” “I can sleep over?” “On the couch.” The infused meal allowed us both to sleep heavily and through the night. I woke early to a murky sky, a few stars twinkling their last hoorah before succumbing to morning’s light. Stepping into my bunny slippers, I cinch my bathrobe around my waist and tiptoe past Michael, still snoring in boyish oblivion. Shuffling to the kitchen I ready my coffee. Mindlessly moving the spoon in a figure-eight as I stir in the cream, I stare at the centerpiece. Then pulling my laptop towards me: Plates, colorful plates denote feelings of happiness. A porcelain plate is an omen one will experience success and harmony in life. Damaged plates indicate an urgency to review relationships. Actually picking up a plate foretells of good luck. Cups, dreaming about cups can mean the need to spend more time on the mundane aspects of one’s life. Cups also represent healing and rejuvenation.” I pull the fork from its position in the centerpiece, fingers clutching then releasing the handle. I know forks symbolize aggression, committed by oneself or the need to defend against. Forks also represent bifurcation or division. “A fork in the road expresses a deciding moment in one’s life.” It’s right there in front of me—the sign I’d been asking for. I turn towards Michael now awake, looking at me. In that moment, I know what I need to do.
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guy probably hasn’t eaten a hot meal since he left. “Want to stay for dinner?” Oh god! The words just tumbled out. It’s too late to take them back, Michael is already accepting my invitation asking if it’s okay he’s in his painting clothes. I grumble a yes then excuse myself to shower. As I come downstairs Hannah, her husband Jeff, and the other girls arrive, their eyebrows arched in astonishment at Michael’s presence. I shrug without explanation. After some small talk, we relax into our meal. Oohs and aahs make their way around the table. An enthusiastic surge of applause breaks out when I place dessert in front of each guest. Michael is quieter than usual. I chalk it up to his being a little too stoned. He’s had seconds on everything. But it’s Hannah’s breach of a topic Michael and I have carefully avoided in recent months when I go quiet. “When are you going to open your cooking school, Erika?” My reply is mumbled and disjointed, a weak and meandering explanation. “The pandemic. It impacted everything. Bringing people together for in-person classes, well that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Then when Michael and I had to cut back due to loss of income, leasing a facility to teach wasn’t an option. Then the fires hit, and we had to evacuate…” It was a litany of excuses. For the umpteenth time, I hear myself explain why I have yet to fulfill my dream. None seemed to hold water. Hold water…hold water, that cup I found today, it holds water. While everyone else’s eyes look at me with pity? Compassion? Jeff’s are crossed on the ramekin lifted to his mouth as he unabashedly licks it clean. Slamming it down like he’d just drained a shot of whiskey, he announces it’s time to head home and watch stoner cartoons. After we say our goodbyes at the door Michael turns to me, “Can we talk, for a minute?” Was he going to ask to move back in or just sleep over? Which is dangerous, since sleeping together always brings us back together. “I’ve been thinking about us.” “Huh, is there an us?” He continues, “You know how you said finding those pieces and that fork in the road might mean something?” “Yeah.” “I think you’re right. Maybe we’re at a fork in the road of our relationship.” My thoughts scramble to understand. “What are you saying?” “At first, when you decided we weren’t happy anymore and needed a break, I took you at your word. Figuring you meant, you weren’t happy, like all the other times. Then it hit me. Shoveling enchilada into my mouth, your best ever by the
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1 medium butternut squash, fresh or 16 oz. frozen 6 oz. canna-butter 1 large shallot, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 2 cups infused beef or chicken broth 4 Tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp. ground cumin salt/pepper 3 Tbsp. cinnamon, divided pinch of nutmeg 1 tsp. ground cocoa powder 1 tsp. brown sugar 1 cup crèma Mexicana, infused and divided 10-12 oz. Mexican chorizo 12-16 flour tortillas 10-12 oz. shredded cheddar/jack cheese blend fresh cilantro for garnish
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350° F. For fresh squash, slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and membrane. Rub canna-oil, salt and pepper inside and outside of squash. Set on foillined sheet pan and roast for about 50 minutes or until edges are brown and flesh is fork tender. When cool, discard rind
In large saucepot melt canna-butter over medium heat. Stir in shallot and garlic, cooking just until fragrant. Whisk in flour, cooking out starch, 5-7 minutes. Continue whisking butter/flour mixture while slowly adding half the broth. Add remaining ingredients up to and including brown sugar, using only 2 Tbsp. cinnamon. If needed, add additional broth. Taste for seasoning. Remove sauce from heat, set to side. For filling: Remove membrane from sausage. Cook meat over medium heat in skillet. Drain well. Add chorizo to squash. For assembly: Stir remaining Tbsp. of cinnamon into créma Mexicana, folding half into prepared sauce. Lightly coat bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole pan with sauce. Brush a small amount of sauce on one side of a tortilla. Spoon some chorizo/butternut mixture into the tortilla, top with a handful of grated cheese, roll and set in casserole dish, seam side down. Repeat until casserole dish is full. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted. Garnish with remaining créma Mexicana and chopped cilantro. (You can also find Cosmic Muffin’s canna-infused BourbonMaple Pumpkin Pie recipe at elevatenv.com)
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and in large mixing bowl mash into a pulp. If using frozen squash, spread cubes in single layer on foil-lined sheet pan. Drizzle with canna-oil, season with salt and pepper then follow same directions as for fresh.
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Unified States of Cannabis
A review of the healing plant known for bringing people of all stars and stripes together By Justin Alexander
SELECT ELITE LIVE’S MOUNTAIN GLUE
Politics, the pandemic and the holidays—a polarizing trifecta that could drive anyone over the edge. “This holiday season, instead of arguing with your family about politics, a better topic of conversation could be sharing your love for your favorite terpenes and strains. With so many options from Select, we’re confident you’ll find common ground,” explains Kristen
Everhart, regional marketing director at Curaleaf. “Cannabis is one of the few topics that many people from all over the country can agree on.” So why not celebrate with some cannabis this year? Especially when it is a terpene-rich product that pairs perfectly with holiday sweets and treats like Select Elite Live’s Mountain Glue vape. With this cannabis producer you can always count on the freshest seasonal flower with strain-specific effects that are closer to the plant’s full profile—indicas feel sleepier and sativas feel more stimulating. Select Elite Live combines quality oil with live resin HTE (high terpene extract) derived from fresh frozen flower. “This combination better represents the essence of the living plant with a higher terpene content providing enhanced flavor profiles and effects,” says Everhart, who adds that lemon-herb roasted turkey pairs nicely with the limonene in Mountain Glue.
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T
hroughout the decades cannabis has often been referred to as a unifier. In more recent years cannabis legalization has become a unique harmonizer in an otherwise polarized political landscape, a rare issue receiving bipartisan and widespread public support. “Now that cannabis is legal the community has grown and evolved, and people are much more open about sharing their experiences and recommendations,” notes David Robison of KYND. “It’s a shared experience that has the power to bring people together, which is pretty cool.” With this in mind, elevate has assembled cannabis products that have the ability to unite people just in time for the upcoming election, its aftermath, and Thanksgiving celebrations. “If it brings communities and families together, historically, that much and with great health and wellness benefit to one another, why wouldn’t you cultivate as much as possible and help your fellow human, and cannabis, spread and prosper while you’re at it?” queries Dominick Monaco, City Trees Laboratory Director.
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REMEDY’S ORANGE CREAMSICLE AND CHEM D Cannabis brings people together—it is the ultimate unifier and is meant to be shared, especially during the holiday season. “Our flower connects people with others who have a similar passion for self-remedying and personal well-being,” says Remedy’s Justin Van Dyck. “Remedy’s premium hand-trimmed flower brings a personal touch to every nug. Because of our attention to the plant’s integrity from seed to consumer, people can use something meaningful to us to share a carefree moment with others.” Good vibes between family and friends is in the Remedy ethos as they are a local family-owned operation. “We craft our cannabis strains with care so it’s worth sharing with the people you care about most,” Van Dyck says. Two strains Van Dyck recommends for alleviating anxiety associated with holiday gatherings are Creamsicle and Chem D. During this era of elections and pandemic concerns, Van Dyck says you can never be too prepared. Orange Creamsicle has a robust citrus flavor and remedies nausea and anxiety. It produces a happy, relaxed and euphoric feeling with pops of energy coming in and out as the day goes on. This is a great strain for watching those Thanksgiving Day football games and waiting for the bird to cook. Chem D is earthy and sweet and will take you to dreamland with ease after intense holiday family fun. Expect a calming, numbing high that takes depression, pain and insomnia away. “Favored strains have calming influences, leaving the user relaxed and ready for potentially divisive political conversations,” Van Dyck says. “Many return to our flower again and again for its dynamic and potent properties, whether hiking in the mountains or watching a movie at home.”
OLD PAL READY TO ROLL KIT The first thing that strikes the senses about Old Pal’s 14-gram Ready to Roll kit is its unique design— classic packaging containing a convenient envelope of pre-ground flower with papers for rolling. Old Pal CMO Allison Pankow says they pride themselves on giving their customers a familiar happy feeling from start to finish.
“Cannabis has been used for centuries in group and communal settings. The plant has the ability to break down barriers and unite those from all walks of life. Because of that, community, inclusion, and equality have been a foundational pillar of the Old Pal brand since launch, paying homage to those who have used this plant for thousands of years to unite,” Pankow says. “Finding ways for Old Pal and Old Pal Provisions to support those values through our efforts is incredibly important to all of us in the organization, from operations to marketing.” Old Pal’s Ready to Roll kit is a convenient product for on-the-go. These kits include everything necessary to roll a pre-roll. A nod to simpler times, when cannabis was just cannabis and was passed around to old pals and new ones. “When neighbors knew each other by name and community meant something,” Pankow says. “Using the language of ‘shareable’ and leaning into the nostalgic feeling of the design, we are communicating our belief in community and taking care of one another. Our products are meant to be enjoyed by all, creating a community of openness and support. And we hope our fans feel compelled to spread the love of Old Pal within their communities as well.”
CANN’S INFUSED SOCIAL TONIC Sharing a cold one—of the alcohol or non-alcohol variety— has always been a way to bring people together and now cannabis lovers can get in on the action. “Cannabis brings people together because it can break down social barriers, reduce anxiety, and make us all feel more comfortable in our own skin,” says the Apothecarium’s Hailey Stone. “For many, alcohol is the social lubricant, but the future of social drinking is Cann. It’s a healthier alternative to alcohol with a fraction of the calories that allows people to enjoy a relaxing beverage with friends and never have to worry about another terrible hangover or bad night of sleep.” Poolside or at a barbecue, Cann is a perfect party companion as it comes in a six-pack, which also makes it easy to have one and share two or three. Each Cann is dosed with 2mg THC and 4mg CBD so expect a light, effervescent effect and wave of relaxation. This low dose, blissful blend of THC and CBD also uses only all-natural ingredients and is sweetened with agave so there are no preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Each Cann has only 30-35 calories so won’t add
much to already gluttonous holiday get-togethers. It takes about 10 minutes to feel the effects, so it makes it easy to monitor intake for optimal uplift and relaxation. It is also so light that it won’t affect running errands, doing work or seeing friends. It is also a great alternative for those who don’t drink or who want to take a break from alcohol. “We encourage recreational users to put down that beer or wine this Thanksgiving with a healthier social alternative. The next time you might drink two or three light beers consider replacing it with Cann,” Stone says. “You will feel a light, highly social feeling within 10 minutes and have more than one during a party, making Cann the perfect substitute for that glass of wine or can of beer.”
8|FOLD LUCKY 3-PACK OF PREROLLS ALWAYS MADE WITH PREMIUM FLOWER. NEVER SHAKE.
Flower harvested at its peak freshness.
HAND-PACKED, TWISTED AND WEIGHED FOR CONSISTENCY.
GIVES BACK TO CHARITIES THAT HELP ANIMALS IN NEED.
dogwalkersprerolls.com F O R U S E O N LY B Y A D U LT S 2 1 Y E A R S O F A G E A N D O L D E R . K E E P O U T O F R E A C H O F C H I L D R E N .
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The pandemic may have robbed us of the ability to “puff, puff, pass” but it hasn’t taken the unifying nature of cannabis away from connoisseurs, both novice and experienced. “Cannabis allows us to stop and smell the flowers, both figuratively and literally. Whether it’s helping us wind down, manage pain, or laugh a little more—cannabis improves our quality of life,” says Matthew Janz, director of THC marketing for 8|Fold. “It’s our shared passion for the wellness cannabis brings that connects us. Cannabis is inherently communal. Many lifelong friendships have been forged from the age-old exchange of ‘Do you smoke?... Smoke what?’ Cannabis sparks conversation, laughter, and oftentimes great merriment.” With this ethos in mind, the 8|Fold Lucky 3-pack is a modern solution to the dilemma of the day, allowing us to enjoy the communal aspect while consuming our own pre-rolls together and safely social distancing. “Our Lucky 3-packs provide the opportunity to maintain the unity of a sesh while being sanitary and safe. In Chinese culture, the number 3 is considered lucky. Three is pronounced san, which is similar to the word that means birth in Chinese. It also represents three important stages in life: birth, marriage, and death,” Janz says. “One for you, one for Uncle Gary, and one for me. Everyone can have their own deliciously terpene-rich pre-roll and enjoy each other’s company together.”
Available in a variety of strain specific batches, the product diversity means you can find the best terpene profiles and strains to help manage the stress and anxiety that often comes with the holidays. Try the Anslinger Lucky 3-pack, its indica-dominance and higher concentrations of myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene create a synergistic effect that can help you relax, wind down, and improve your mood.
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SWEET & SAVORY TASTY STACK FROM THE NAMELESS CO. Dark chocolate, peanut butter, caramel and waffle pretzels are all great on their own as snacks but when combined into the ultimate Tasty Stack, it packs a flavor punch. And that’s exactly what The Nameless Co. wants you to experience when you have a snack attack. “Have you ever gone to dinner with a group of people and decided to all share in a dessert?” asks Jerry Velarde, president of Evergreen Organix. “This product is a savory and sweet infused edible that stimulates the taste buds with a hint of savory from the pretzel, salt, peanut butter which is then followed by sweet notes of caramel and premium chocolate that is satisfying for even those who claim they are not a fan of edibles. One taste and you will definitely want to share with others.” It comes in 5- or 10-packs at 10 mg per serving, which is the perfect dose for all levels of consumers. What’s even better is that the Stack doesn’t have a harsh cannabis taste and it’s easy to forget you just consumed an infused edible. Expect the mind and body to relax in about an hour and euphoric attributes as well as mood enhancement. “Cannabis infused edibles are processed differently by the body than smoking, as the THC travels through the digestive system and gets absorbed by the liver, the effects of THC are known to last for up to five hours,” Velarde says. “The reported medicinal attributes have been reduced inflammation, pain relief, anxiety, depression and it has helped with sleep and many other ailments. Cannabis has been an alternative to prescription drugs for many consumers.”
KYND PRE-ROLLS The nature of the cannabis community is to act as a family because of its deep “secret” roots. “For a very long time, cannabis was only available if you knew the right person or had a relationship with a cultivator or a caregiver.
PLANET 13’S HAHA BEVERAGE Just like the name promises, HAHA is a drink that will make you happy and giggly— enjoyed either alone or with the ones you love. “HAHA is different from most edibles because being that it is a beverage, it kicks in quicker and the effects fall off quicker which results in a more controlled high,” says Planet 13 Marketing Coordinator Zach Brengman. “This way you don’t have to wait 90 minutes to feel the full effects.” Even at 10 mg the high is social and functional without being a knockout and it also comes in a variety of flavors: berry, lime, lemon, orange and grapefruit. HAHA is sativaleaning so the effects are uplifting, and it is very hard to drink one and not have a good time. “This makes it a phenomenal option for someone with stress or anxiety after a long day,” Brengman says, who notes
YO U C A L L .
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november | elevatenv.com 21
This led to close-knit, closed, personal communities and guarded connections—people were careful about sharing their green side,” says KYND’s David Robison. Sharing is caring when it comes to KYND pre-rolls. With the brand’s deep selection of strains that are easy to consume, easy to pass, and easy to transport, KYND has a pre-roll for every occasion. “The pre-roll is the quintessential cannabis product, and it doesn’t have a steep learning curve. If you have a lighter or a match, you’re all set,” says Robison, who notes the brand prides itself on uniformity and grade-A buds. “It’s easy to follow the golden rule of cannabis—start low and go slow. That kind of methodical approach makes it appealing to those who are new to cannabis because they can take it one step at a time to gauge their reaction. Meanwhile, more seasoned consumers can indulge as appropriate to their experience and tolerance levels.” Because pre-rolls are fast-acting, they are an ideal anecdote to stressful family gatherings. “Just find a quiet moment to slip outside for a few minutes and indulge while the rest of the family argues,” Robison concludes.
it has no calories or sweeteners. “Edibles for the most part are more of a body high than a head high so this product would also be effective for aches, pains and anxiety.”
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CITY TREES’ LIMITED-EDITION DISCO TRAIN BLUE AGAVE TINCTURE WITH LIVE RESIN BASE Acting as a low-glycemic sweetener with a honey-like consistency, City Trees’ Disco Train Blue Agave Tincture is a great alternative to other sugars and sweeteners often found in holiday feasts. Extracted from the blue agave plant, its nectar is water soluble, so it easily mixes into everything from margaritas and coffee to pies and cakes. “The Disco Train Tincture can be used in so many ways other than just by itself. We definitely encourage our enthusiasts to experiment, but the most popular feedback we’ve received thus far is that it goes great with carbonated beverages,” offers Dominick Monaco, City Trees’ Laboratory Director. Combining the flavor of Mango Kush with the citrusy Ghost Train Haze, Disco Train is a live resin mashup that brings these two sought-after strains to their highest potential. “The unique flavor profile and full spectrum effect will make you want to share this with your family, friends, and community without a doubt,” says Monaco. “This product is the truest representation of a full spectrum tincture product on the Nevada market today. This product is infused with a strain-specific blend of live resin extract that represents the most authentic version of the two cultivars of flower, Mango x Ghost Train Haze, and also contains a healthy accoutrement of Delta9-THC, THCa, CBG, and CBGa.” A limited-edition product of only 500 units, “this product will bring people together because it contains the essence of a freshly grown cannabis crop that is full of flavor that contains a multitude of cannabinoids and terpenes,” explains Monaco. “The full spectrum effect of the cannabis-derived terpenes combined with the fact that, out of the cannabinoids present, Delta9-THC makes up for roughly 70% of the concoction and will ensure that even the experienced recreational user gets the desired results.” There’s nothing like sharing a slice of pie and a smile during this time of year and even more enjoyable when it is infused with the unifying effects of cannabis.
Stay Pre-Rolls Dog Walkers Wedding Pie Tahoe Hydroponics
november | elevatenv.com 23
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.
Set your table with the best cannabis at the best price.
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Las Vegas 2550 S. Rainbow Blvd Suite 8 Las Vegas, NV 89146
Reno 5270 Longley Ln Suite 103 Reno, NV 89511
Henderson 9480 S Eastern Ave Suite 185 Henderson, NV 89123
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SHOP OUR HOLIDAY FAVORITES
DISPENSARY MAP A Guide to Cannabis in Southern Nevada 1. Acres Cannabis acrescannabis.com 2320 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.399.4200
9c. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 5765 W Tropicana Ave Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.500.1714
15b. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 1975 S Casino Dr Laughlin, NV 89029 702.737.7777
22. Silver Sage Wellness sswlv.com 4626 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.802.3757
2. Apothecarium apothecariumlv.com 7885 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89117 702.778.7987
9d. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 7260 S Rainbow Blvd., Suite 104 Las Vegas, NV 89119 725.206.6911
15c. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 310 E. Warm Springs Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.298.4830
23. The Apothecary Shoppe theapothecaryshoppe.com 4240 W Flamingo Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.740.4372
3. Green Cannabis Co. greennv.com 3650 S Decatur Blvd., #7 Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.357.5491
9e. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 6410 S Durango Dr., Suite 115 Las Vegas, NV 89113 775.877.9367
16. Nevada Wellness Center nevadawellnesscenters.com 3200 S Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.470.2077
24a. The Source thesourcenv.com 2550 S Rainbow Blvd Ste #8 Las Vegas, NV 89146 702.708.2000
4. Blüm LetsBlum.com 1130 E Desert Inn Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.536.2586
10. Inyo Fine Cannabis Dispensary inyolasvegas.com 2520 S Maryland Pkwy Ste #2 Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.707.8888
17a. NuWu Cannabis Marketplace Nuwucannabis.com 1235 Paiute Circle Las Vegas, NV 89106 702.844.2707
24b. The Source thesourcenv.com 9480 S Eastern Ave Ste #185 Henderson, NV 89123 702.708.2222
5. Cultivate Las Vegas cultivatelv.com 3615 Spring Mountain Rd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.778.1173
11. Jardin jardincannabis.com 2900 E Desert Inn Rd Ste #102 Las Vegas, NV 89121 702.331.6511
17b. NuWu North nuwu.vegas 1157 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89124 702.844.2438
25a. Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 2755 W Cheyenne Ave Ste #103 North Las Vegas, NV 89032 702.776.4144
6. Curaleaf curaleaf.com 1736 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.545.0026
12a. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 5530 N Decatur Blvd North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.718.0420
18. Oasis Cannabis Dispensary oasiscannabis.com 1800 S. Industrial Rd. #180 Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.420.2405
25b.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 3500 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.776.4144
7. Deep Roots Harvest deeprootsharvest.com 195 Willis Carrier Canyon Mesquite, NV 89034 702.345.2854
12b. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 10420 S Eastern Ave Henderson, NV 89052 702.718.0420
19. Planet 13 planet13lasvegas.com 2548 W Desert Inn Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.206.1313
25c.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 1112 S Commerce St Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.776.4144
8. Euphoria Wellness euphoriawellnessnv.com 7780 S Jones Blvd Ste #105 Las Vegas, NV 89139 702.960.7200
13. Las Vegas ReLeaf lasvegasreleaf.com 2244 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.209.2400
20a. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 3400 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.475.6520
25d.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 3698 W. Cactus Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89141 702.776.4144
9a.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 2307 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.978.7591
14. MMJ America mmjamerica.com 4660 S Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.565.9333
20b. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 1366 W Cheyenne Ave North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.410.8032
26. Top Notch THC topnotchthc.com 5630 Stephanie St Las Vegas, NV 89122 702.418.0420
9b.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 4300 E Sunset Rd Ste #A3 Henderson, NV 89014 702.978.7687
15a. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 3195 St. Rose Pkwy Ste #212 Henderson, NV 89052 702.737.7777
21. ShowGrow showgrowlv.com 4850 S Fort Apache Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89147 702.227.0511
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HOME GROW 101
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elevatenv.com | november
A battle of the lights: HPS versus LED By A.J.,
I
n past columns I have profiled home growers and the various methods they utilize in their grows. This month I wanted to deviate and share with you an experiment I have been conducting with the flowering process. Earlier this year I conducted a very interesting lighting experiment that pitted 600W High Pressure Sodium (HPS) against 480W Full Spectrum (UV & IR) LED (light-emitting diode). I want to begin by briefly explaining the difference between MH, HPS and LED light fixtures. The conventional way of growing has always been to use a Metal Halide (MH) bulb for the vegetative stage. MH puts out a color temperature of approximately 6000K, which is great for growth. Then in the flowering stage growers switch to a High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulb, which has a color temperature of approximately 2100K, great for flowering. MH and HPS bulbs give off a lot of heat, which require air conditioning to stay cool. The LED I purchased has a color temperature of 4000K and it is dimmable from 0 - 100%. This LED runs much cooler, which will save on electricity and air conditioning. This light fixture is good from seed or clone in vegetation all the way through to the end of flowering. Regarding life expectancy, MH and HPS bulbs are good
vegasbestbud
for less than 10,000 hours of use or about one year and cost between $75 - $100 each. Most LEDs have a life expectancy of 50,000 hours of use. I spent $475 on my LED and bought a generic version of the HLG 550 V2 w/IR & UV. This fixture usually retails for about $900. A quick note with regard to my growing history before I detail my experiment. Over the last 10 years I have been flowering cannabis plants with only a 600W cool tube in a 5’ x 5’ tent and two 600W cool tubes in a 5’ x 10’ tent. In this lighting experiment I used clones from two different strains, Tart Pops and Strawberry Guava. I put two of each strain under each light. Everything except for the light source was the same. Both were in 4’ x 4’ tents, 5-gallon pots of coco and were fed house and garden nutrients. Some immediate observations were that the plants in the HPS tent had stretched significantly more than their LED sisters whereas those plants were stronger and stockier. As the weeks went by and the flowers matured, I began to notice the huge difference in smells (terpenes) and trichome production coming from the LED tent. Both strains in the LED tent were more colorful. When I touch the flowers in the HPS tent, they are much “drier” to the touch and not as sticky or stinky as the LED plants. The full spectrum LED brings out a lot more of what the plant has to offer.
Order online now! After drying and curing the flowers, I personally will never use HPS again. The LED flowers are so much better in quality. Terpenes are significantly stronger to the nose than those from the HPS tent. Also, the taste was much more intense. This side-by-side experiment has proven to me that small yields from LED lights are just a myth. Every plant in my LED tent yielded significantly more dried weight than the HPS plants. I won’t say this is true with all LED lights since they are not all the same. As I write this article, my flower tent #1 is in week #8 of flowering. This is my second crop under LED lighting and it is just as good or better than the first one. If you are still using MH and HPS to grow your cannabis, you are missing out on flavors and smells you haven’t experienced yet. If you have any questions about LED fixtures, growing, or garden setup, please drop AJ a message at Rookies123@aol. com or DM him at iG @vegasbestbud. AJ has an extensive collection of new and old cannabis genetics and consults on home gardens in the Las Vegas/Henderson area. He also gives free consultations and special discounts to veterans and medical patients.
november | elevatenv.com 27
Partake in the party.
Elevating the Conversation with Tisha Black, Esquire, President of Nevada Dispensary Association
A
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elevatenv.com | november
ttorney Tisha Black began her two-year term as NDA president in 2019 and plans to run for a second term in 2021. Black’s experience in the cannabis space includes being a Nevada Made Marijuana dispensary board member as well as regulatory council. She is the founding partner of Black and Wadhams Attorneys at Law and has been an active participant in the regulation and operations of the cannabis industry.
In March when NDA lobbied to make cannabis essential, what was your expectation? I honestly had no expectation. I know from California that Governor Newsome decided cannabis shops were not essential and there was a lot of backlash and then he changed his mind. So, coming right on the heels of that and knowing that Governor Sisolak was paying such close attention to what was happening in California, at least that was an arrow in our quiver. The other thought being we are a very consistent and important source of tax revenue for the state and the local municipalities so that was another arrow in our quiver. Since you’ve become involved in the industry, what’s been the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about cannabis? This might be naive, but how slow government reacts sometimes. Our laws have not caught up. What’s surprising to me is how sexy marijuana is for a lot of people in government to get involved in or try to grab a headline off of, but how they’ve missed some of the fundamentals. We do not—with all caps—do not put enough effort into regulation of enforcement of the black market. We have not gone after and cleaned up some of our statutes like DUIs. The fact that we still don’t have banking, the fact that we’re still on the schedule—it’s ridiculous. That is surprising to me because actually the private sector moves at an exponential speed compared to the government sector. I haven’t had such an interface before with it so that’s surprising to me. How much of a problem is the black market for Nevada dispensary operators? I’m reticent to give a number but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s 50 percent. And the irony is because so many people in the general public know it’s legal, they believe anybody they buy it from is a legal source. Then there’s such a lack of enforcement of the black market. They have billboards up for heaven’s sakes. They have websites that provide an illegal delivery service. And this is the thing that’s crushing, they have a price point that is just an edge below legal price points, so they legitimize themselves more. They’re making
a ton of money right now because we have a legal market. The illegal market is masquerading as legal and the general public doesn’t know any different. What is your takeaway from the retail marijuana licensing lawsuit that was recently tried? The application process is not a science, and there’s a lot of subjective and objective considerations that go into it. And I don’t blame people whatsoever for litigating to ensure that there’s no criminal element involved. And, indeed in our process there was no criminal element involved. And that was a lot of the conjecture going into the trial. Coming out of it, it was just a combination of a lot of imperfections. But it’s not a perfect process. It had the potential of being extraordinarily divisive, and certainly, we had membership that was on both sides. Mostly, I’m glad that it’s over. Do NDA’s goals for the 2021 Legislative Session include consumption lounges? That’s a super big topic. I know (Clark) Commissioner Segerblom is still talking about that. Obviously, the elephant in the room is that we are a cannabis legal state, but where do you partake? So, I’d like to answer that question responsibly. I think that would help the membership and it would alleviate some confusion for tourists. Speaking as a small business advocate, what’s a unique issue the cannabis industry faces? We have IRS 280E (tax code) to deal with. Our effective rate of taxation is 55 to 60 percent top line. And then we have the additional challenges—out of 40 percent of revenue—we have to pay our rent and our employees and our cost of goods and all the rest of it. So just the challenge of having people understand that we are a legitimate business, that we are very transparent, that we are community partners, and that we pay our taxes. To read our entire interview with Tisha Black, visit elevate.nv/Elevating_the_Conversation
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