It's our food issue by Elevate Nevada Magazine

AUGUST 2017

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Got Juice? Soul Food Herb & Honey Cooking with Cannabis

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“FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN”

from the editor Publisher Guy Bertuzzi, guy@elevatenv.com

Editor-In-Chief Beth Schwartz, beth@elevatenv.com

Creative Director Brooke Bertuzzi, brooke@finetheagency.com

Contributing Writers: Justin Alexander, chef Deborah L. Costella, Julie Montiero, RN, Hector Leyva, chef Yzabetta Sativa, Deanna Rilling, Susan Silva, Mark Smith

Media Consultants: Mark Damkroeger, mark@elevatenv.com Amanda Reilly, amanda@elevatenv.com

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One of the stories in this month’s issue, “Soul Food” (page 24), was sent to me out of the blue. Local writer and chef Deborah L. Costella sent it to me unsolicited. She took the initiative to share it with me because she thought it was “relevant to the issues facing those dealing with serious illness, the people who care for them, and the positive role medicinal marijuana can play in their lives.” To say the least, I was not ready for it the morning it showed up. I was certainly not prepared to be moved so much by a story that randomly arrived in my in-box on an ordinary Monday. It was a very personal story for Deborah that depicted her brother’s battle with cancer. Deborah does not know me and so couldn’t have known that I had a similar story. Deborah could not have known how close to home her story would hit me. She had no way of knowing the thoughts and emotions that I kept carefully tucked away would surface so quickly as I knew her pain firsthand. I wasn’t even halfway through her story when I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. It was just one year ago, on August 10, 2016, that my beloved of 10 years, Jason, passed away. Like Deborah’s brother, Jason also died from cancer following a six-year battle. He was the ultimate scrapper and so he gave cancer a really good run for its money. He tried every experimental treatment presented to him by his oncology team. There was nothing he said no to -- from trial drugs during his first remission

from Hodgkin’s lymphoma to cuttingedge immunotherapy -- he was always game to try anything as he was a lover of life and wasn’t going anywhere without a fight. Well, there was one thing he never tried. Try as I might, as much anecdotal evidence as I could find and present, as much as I cajoled and sweet-talked, I was never able get Jason to try cannabis. Even when sleep and appetite had deserted him for weeks at a time, I still couldn’t get him on board. Jason’s oncologist had told him it wasn’t a good idea and out of respect for his doctor’s opinion he was steadfast in his unwillingness to try it. That was the part of Deborah’s story that felt like a sucker punch. It hadn’t occurred to her to cook cannabis into her brother’s food. I could relate. Why didn’t I just start infusing Jason’s food with cannabis? I certainly had the access and the resources who could show me how. How had something so startlingly obvious not have occurred to me? Short answer: I do not know. And I don’t currently have the emotional bandwidth to process the long answer. So, like many who will read Deborah’s story, I easily related to her feelings and despairingly identified with her regret. Perhaps our too-late revelation will spark others into making soul food to satiate their beloved. With an open mind,

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CONTENTS

Reviving the Classics

Cooking with Cannabis

This Juice is Jumpinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

HEALING: The Power of Medicinal Cannabis

In the land of Herb & Honey

Day One

Take a trip through the decades

HIV patient writes new chapter with move to Las Vegas and access to medical grade cannabis

Cornucopian Vegetable Salad and Seafood Ragout

Northern Nevada beekeeper and edible company team up to hit the honey pot

Dispensary Spotlight:

Nevada Wellness Center

Getting the buzz on the next big health trend

Ushering in recreational cannabis with State Senator Tick Segerblom

48 24

Soul Food

A bittersweet story of healing and love using marijuana to feed the comfort cravings of a broken body

Dispensary Map

A guide to finding cannabis in the Las Vegas Valley

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ELEVATE YOUR STATE

Medical cannabis updates from across the United States

ARKANSAS: Patients and caregivers can begin enrolling in Arkansas’ medical marijuana program now, although cards will not be immediately available. While patients can apply for program enrollment now, their ID cards will not be issued until 30 days before medical cannabis becomes available from dispensaries for purchase. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission estimates that dispensaries should be open by the end of the year or early 2018. The cost for a patient card is a nonrefundable $50 application fee. Caregivers must also undergo a $34 criminal history check. Due to an amendment to the program by the Legislature, members of the Arkansas National Guard and the U.S. military are not permitted to enroll in the program as either patients or caregivers.

HAWAII: Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a bill to expand the existing medical marijuana dispensary program. H.B. 1488 adds rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis to the list of qualifying conditions and allows patients and caregivers to access testing facilities. Patients and caregivers will be allowed to cultivate three additional plants of any maturity, for a total of 10 plants. The phasing out of caregivers’ ability to grow marijuana plants for patients has been pushed back five years, to the end of 2023. The new law, which went into effect on June 29, also authorizes the Department of Health to permit current licensees to open one additional dispensary — for a possible total of 24 statewide — and allows them to cultivate more plants at their production sites. It also amends certain deadlines and relaxes restrictive laboratory standards to accelerate implementation.

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LOUISIANA: In June, Governor John Bel Edwards signed SB 35 into law, Senator Yvonne Colomb’s bill to prevent workers employed in the medical cannabis sector from facing felony criminal charges for going to work, which is a change to legislation that was first enacted in 1978. Legislators still need to fix other medical regulations. Specifically, the state continues to disallow the vaporization of cannabis, and state regulations actively require doctors to put their DEA licenses at risk in order to recommend patients for the program. Meanwhile, the two universities granted licenses to operate marijuana cultivation centers continue to move forward; Louisiana State University has indicated it expects medical cannabis to be available for patients before the end of the year.

NEW YORK: The New York Senate took an important step toward improving the state’s medical marijuana program by passing S 5629, which would add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition. The Assembly had already overwhelmingly passed an identical bill, A 7006 in May (131-8). The Senate passed S 5629 50-13. The Senate’s approval means the bill now heads to Governor Cuomo’s desk. Twenty-six of the 29 states with medical marijuana programs allow patients with PTSD to qualify. In one of the states that do not, Alaska, marijuana is legal and regulated for adults 21 and older. Bills to add PTSD to state medical marijuana programs have been approved and signed into law in Colorado and Vermont this year. Legislation to add PTSD has also been approved in both chambers of the New Hampshire Legislature and is currently awaiting the governor’s signature.

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WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia’s limited medical marijuana law officially took effect in July, although patients will not benefit from the new law for two more years. Passed earlier this year and signed into law by Governor Jim Justice in April, Senate Bill 386, also known as the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act, will allow seriously ill patients to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it once the program is up and running. Qualified patients will be allowed to access cannabisinfused products, such as oils, pills and tinctures, but will not be allowed to grow their own cannabis or possess marijuana in herbal form. Dispensaries will not be allowed to sell marijuana-infused edibles, but cannabis products could be mixed into food or drinks by patients themselves. Vaporization (of oils) is allowed, but smoking is prohibited.

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REVIVING theCLASSICS 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Take a Trip through the Decades by Justin Alexander

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he sweet taste of nostalgia. It suddenly hangs in the air. Maybe it’s because recreational cannabis became legal on July 1 or, perhaps, we are all just collectively hankering for a time when things were simpler. With recreational cannabis now available legally, a lot of people who tried marijuana when they were coming of age or experimenting in college are in search of those carefree days. They aren’t just seeking reminders of days gone by, but for a way to revisit those times. However much they would like to relive their younger days, some may be hesitant because they wouldn’t have the same experience. Concerned that today’s strains are more potent than what they enjoyed back in the day, consumers are on the hunt for old-school strains with lower THC ratios. Depending on what decade you might have participated in the marijuana culture, THC could range anywhere from below 10 percent to somewhere in the low 20s. elevate has rounded up some of the market’s most prevalent legacy strains from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and aughts for a guide that seen through the lens of time.

KABUNKY KLEAR’S ACAPULCO GOLD CARTRIDGE Swinging since the flower power of the ‘60s, the origin of this strain is reflected in its moniker: Acapulco, Mexico. Commonly referenced in film and television, the name alone jars memories of a much simpler time—but it is becoming rare because it is difficult to grow inside. The effects of smoking are dually healthy for the mind and body. “Kabunky's newest addition [is] Acapulco Gold—engineered to provide a clean and convenient method for pain management,” says Trevor Moss, Kabunky budtender. “This cartridge contains no terps; meaning that while it may not deliver a trendy, candy-like flavor, one can enjoy the medicinal effects while avoiding couch-lock or becoming anxious.” Great for day or nighttime use, after smoking, notice that what ails—such as body pain, headache, or nausea—slips away. At a ratio of THC: 167 mg 33.33 percent and CBD: 490 mg 49 percent, you won’t become sucked into a high that will drag you down for an extended period of time. Plus, nonfunctionality will never be an issue so use at home or away from home. A few puffs and you will be singing a happy song and doing a happy dance, reminiscent of the free love era from which it originated.

PLEASE KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO CONSUME

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KANNABIS’S MASTER KUSH FLOWER On the lips of smokers since the mid- to late ‘70s, Master Kush is bred in Amsterdam and originates from the Hindu Kush region. It came up in the coffeeshops and is unique because it is a tetraploid strain—with four times the number of chromosomes—making it bigger and stronger in its biology. If you have trouble sleeping and need help falling into a deep and relaxing state then reach for the indica-based Master at 23.02 percent THCA. However, one of its best attributes is that, even with all that, you won’t experience any mind numbness—in fact, quite the opposite. The taste is as down to earth as the high and can be characterized as deep and sweet. Recommended for patients who are fighting cancer, anxiety, depression, insomnia and lack of appetite, it is ideal for nighttime use. Also expect stimulated appetite so grab some popcorn!

DURBAN POISON FLOWER FROM WAVESEER Sometimes you just have to go with what you know. “In the market today, cultivators have to really be tuned into the trends and requests of their patients,” says Gareth Nelson, operations manager at Waveseer. “It would be negligent to not want to experiment with some of the new hot ticket items, but strains like Durban Poison are tried and true.” Dating back to the 1970s in South Africa, Durban Poison, a sativa, has had a long and steady rise to popularity throughout the years because of its super social characteristics. Perfect for those who need relief during the day, it holds notes of perfume, spice and chocolate. Like downing a double espresso without any of the jittery effects, this will wake you up and get you going. This is a type of high that everyone needs for mental clarity; plus, it is recommended for ailments such as nausea, headaches, pain, anxiety and stress. “With the strain carrying over 150mg of terpenes, like terpinolene and ocimene, it suits many customers -- from those suffering with chronic pain to lack of agility,” Nelson says of Durban Poison, which is 22.7 percent THC and .046 percent CBD. “The strain lends a hand in helping reduce inflammation, increasing appetite, and, also, raising brain function.”

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MIDNIGHT FROM TIKUN OLAM The beautiful purple flowers may be the first thing you notice about Israeli cannabis cultivator Tikun Olam’s Midnight but based on its low THC content, its vibe will transport you back to the ’80s. “Midnight was developed as a THC/CBD balanced strain to specifically address certain medical issues,” says Jyl Ferris, the company’s creative director. “Tikun Olam has developed its strains as a result of double-blind medical studies and anecdotal results from [a] nurse-run clinic.” This strain is especially popular with Baby Boomers who used cannabis as teens and are now returning to it for medicine. At equal parts THC:CBD, running at approximately 8-12 percent for each, it is also recommended for those who are less experienced with cannabis, especially older patients. “Veterans use Midnight as a daytime option,” Ferris says. “It has an uplifting and invigorating effect and may help with mild pain, gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn’s disease and colitis, Fibromyalgia, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and PTSD.”

GREEN CRACK FROM STATE FLOWER CANNABIS With origins out of Athens, Georgia in the 1990s, the hybrid Green Crack strain migrated to California later that decade and the rest is history—thanks to Snoop Dogg changing its name from Green Kush. It is thought to be a cross of an ’89 SSSC Skunk #1 and an unknown Afghani indica. “It wasn't until about 2003 that it became one of the most commercially viable and sought-after strains in California,” says Daniel Wacks, co-founder of State Flower Cannabis. “There are many phenotypes floating around that vary greatly in terms of potency. Our pheno typically ranges from 17-23 percent THC.” State Flower has been growing it for nearly 15 years, Wack says, and the demand from patients just keeps accelerating. All the buzz around this product is directly related to its uplifting properties—this is pure sunshine. Expect sharp energy and focus and an unparalleled mental buzz. On the palate, find notes of mango, grapefruit and jelly beans. “Green Crack is the perfect daytime medication for patients treating fatigue, stress, and depression,” adds Wacks. Feel your mind elevate among the clouds as the urge to get stuff done becomes a top priority.

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KYND CANNABIS COMPANY’S SOUR DIESEL CARTRIDGE Sour Diesel, a hybrid strain that promotes alertness and mental clarity, came to prominence in the early ’90s as a possible descendent from Chemdawg 91 and Super Skunk. Most people never forget their first Sour Diesel experience because it does indeed capture the pungent and intoxicating scent of diesel fuel. “It’s a fast-acting strain, and its dreamy effects [make it] absolutely deserving of its legendary status,” says Mark Pitchford, CEO and owner Kynd Cannabis Company. “With long-lasting relief from pain, stress, and depression, it’s a leading choice for medical patients.” Devotees characterize this as a “Jedi level” high that makes you happy, uplifted and euphoric all while promoting relaxation but not inducing sleepiness at a THC of 76.5 percent and CBD of .15 percent. This is a strain of the people as most everyone can appreciate the lack of couch lock and the way it helps you seize the day. Capturing this in cartridge form has not only put a new generation in touch with its legacy, but also sparked nostalgia in long-time smokers.

HIGH ROLLER OG FLOWER FROM LAS VEGAS CANNABIS Cannabis lovers have been consuming High Roller OG since the late ’90s and the strain name itself is a great one for Las Vegas devotees, where everyone wants to feel like a high roller. The genetics are from Afghani and Northern Lights #5. “High Roller OG is the definition of a legacy strain -- I have had this cut since the summer of 2000,” says Las Vegas Cannabis’ Brian Schwager. “The THC potency has ranged from 20 to 27 percent. The terpene profile of this strain is exquisite—high in B-Myrcene, B-Caryophyllene, Limonene and a-Humulene.” The High Roller, represents the best of both worlds without being too much of one thing. It elevates into a full body high while still helping you to maintain focus. The buds are super sticky have a super skunky aroma and it is a very potent smoke so a little goes a long way. Schwager says word-of-mouth regarding strains has become an important marketing factor in the weed world, but he still stresses that it is all about the grow and that strains can be very profound based on that factor. “People look for strains that they hear and read about but if they are not grown and cured correctly than it can cause a lot of confusion of what the strain should actually be,” explains Schwager. (continued on page 43)

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HEALING THE POWER OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS

HIV PATIENT WRITES NEW CHAPTER WITH MOVE TO LAS VEGAS AND ACCESS TO MEDICAL GRADE CANNABIS

Photography by Sean Black

“Living here literally feels like the sun on your face if you have been in the dark cold winter for a long time,” explains 42-year-old Connie Rose of her life in Nevada. Connie Rose moved to Las Vegas in 2013 after living in Indiana her entire life. But it wasn’t just living in the cold Midwest that Rose metaphorically references. She also alludes to living with HIV, which she acquired from her husband 21 years ago. “At my first appointment with my infections disease doctor she introduced herself and said she had just transferred from UCLA and that they were doing studies about how cannabis slowed the progression of HIV,” recalls Rose. “She asked if I smoked it, I said I didn’t, and she said I highly recommend that you start and added that if we were

Since moving here my life has completely changed for the better and people are so accepting of the fact that I use medical cannabis. I don’t hide it."

in California she would write me a prescription right now. So, I went home and started smoking cannabis. Of course, it wasn’t medical grade back then.” Not only was it not medical grade, but it tasted like soap. “They were shipping it to us in boxes of soap because it was still being smuggled in. Those poor people, that’s how they still live. I have waited my whole life just to be able to get medical grade cannabis.” At one point, Rose grew her own cannabis when she was still living in Indiana. “I only grew one or two plants at a time. I was just trying to cut down on costs by growing my own and not have to buy crappy weed that tasted like soap.” However, she was caught and charged with cultivation

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in 2010. “I started growing my own and got in trouble for one plant with three leaves,” she reveals with a laugh. “Growing it was illegal but buying it came with a higher charge. I received a year probation and house arrest.” In spite of the challenges involved with using a federally illegal drug, the upside is cannabis has kept Rose’s HIV in check. “In 21 years, I have never had a problem with my HIV. I have always been very healthy. In 1996 you weren’t given medication unless your T-cells were under 500. Without getting HIV medication my only option was to control this virus holistically so I used cannabis. My T-cells never dropped below 1,000 and my viral load never got higher than 200,000 and there are people, who in the first year of testing, have a million-count viral load. I can’t prove that it was the cannabis that was slowing the progression but something was keeping my viral load at 200,000 and it not going to one million.” Had it not been for Rose’s doctor advising her to try cannabis, she never would have. “I grew up in Indiana and I grew up being told pot is bad, that’s drugs. So, I literally grew up never doing it. I drank because that was legal, I didn’t even smoke cigarettes.” Despite her upbringing, Rose decided it was in her best interest to give cannabis a try. “I stood there thinking am I going to believe a doctor from L.A. or am I going to believe these hypocrites who don’t know anything about marijuana? All it took was her telling me and me knowing she was a

doctor from UCLA -- I took her word for it and I have been blessed ever since.” Although admittedly blessed, Rose has experienced her share of dark days. “I used to live with so much pain, I was tired 100 percent of the time. I finally reached a point in my life where I want to live, living with HIV in Indiana I didn’t want to live. But I just couldn’t die, I wasn’t that sick, I tried multiple times but now that I am here and I live somewhere so free -- in a place so accepting and encouraging -- I will do whatever it takes,” she says of living in Las Vegas. That acceptance has allowed Rose a fresh start she could have never imagined. “I only live on $1000 a month and I can survive in Las Vegas. Anyone can start over here, I came here and became a writer and I have never been a writer in my life,” she says of her regular writing gig with A&U, an AIDS magazine. “My life is completely different now. I attribute that to moving to Nevada and a complete environment change and gaining access to medical grade cannabis because I don’t take half of the pills I took in the past.” Due to Rose’s limited budget she was turned on to ShowGrow dispensary’s ‘Patients Helping Patients’ program that subsidizes medical marijuana patient cards. She applied and got her patient card within two weeks. Before that Rose was buying marijuana on the street because she couldn’t afford a card.

She uses between a half and full gram of cannabis daily. “I don’t use very much. I use RSO oil. Sometimes if I can afford it, I use the concentrate. I am trying to medicate at a cellular level and to do that you have to eat it.” She prefers sativa because she deals with fatigue from living with HIV. “If I am having a high anxiety day or because I live with psychosis issues from all the trauma of living with all the horrible things people do to you over 21 years of living with HIV, I deal with a little bit of crazy but not in a bad way. Kind of like if you don’t laugh at it, you cry kind of stuff. On those days, I use an indica or a hybrid. I have slept so much of my life, I don’t want to sleep anymore. “Since moving here my life has completely changed for the better and people are so accepting of the fact that I use medical cannabis. I don’t hide it. I volunteer multiple places and they all know I am smoking medical cannabis, they all know I am part of a program. They know me personally and they know that I literally see it as medicine and I have from day one,” explains Connie Rose, who volunteers at The Center and for AFAN. “I love that about Las Vegas, I love that if you do something within reason people are so understanding and accepting and non-judgmental. I would rather volunteer for a company who knows my status than ever have to work for anybody again that I have to lie about who I am. That’s the point I am in my life.”

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august | elevatenv.com 15

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DISPENSARY SPOTLIGHT Nevada Wellness Center www.nvwellnessctr.com 3200 S. Valley View, Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.470.2077 Photography by Hector Leyva, SugarMill Studios

GUIDING MISSION | The philosophy of Nevada Wellness Center is to deliver the highest quality of marijuana product to its patients thus enhancing their quality of life. TOP SELLING STRAIN | Face on Fire by Nature’s Kindest TOP SELLING CONCENTRATE | DoSiLarry Live ROSIN by Nature’s Kindest TOP SELLING EDIBLE | Pucks by CannaPunch TOPICAL | 2:1 Lotion by Remedy RANGE OF PRODUCTS | Nevada Wellness Center plans to carry all available marijuana products including transdermal patches, bath salts, menstrual tablets, and menstrual oil because the dispensary’s top priority is specializing in patient care. MEDICINE SOURCE | Nevada Wellness Center is a dispensary only – so the NWC team is enormously proud of the great relationships they have built with their vendors. UNIQUE ATTRIBUTE | As the first to open in the city of Las Vegas and as one of the largest dispensaries in the state, Nevada Wellness Center takes pride in having one of the largest CBD (cannabidiol) selections in Nevada. CUSTOMER SERVICE PHILOSOPHY | Nevada Wellness Center offers the highest quality service to its patients and vendors believing that when people are comfortable and enjoy their environment great things happen. STAFF EDUCATION | Nevada Wellness Center is one of the few dispensaries that gives their consultants a test before they are able to consult with patients. The test includes state and city codes and marijuana questions as it relates to patient care. If the consultant is unable to pass the test, they are unable to consult. CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS | Nevada Wellness Center believes in giving back and so feeds the homeless and provides secret gifts during the holidays to single parents in the community. MEDICAL VS. RECREATIONAL | For Nevada Wellness Center, the addition of recreational marijuana on July 1st hasn’t changed the dispensary’s prices, service, or wide variety of cannabis products.

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Cooking Cannabis CORNUCOPIAN VEGETABLE SALAD, SEAFOOD RAGOUT, “OREGANO” OIL, AND MARY JANE MAYO BY CHEF YZABETTA SATIVA

In her newest cookbook, “Baked 2,” chef Yzabetta Sativa has compiled over 80 cannabis recipes. Dividing them into dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan recipes, Sativa’s cookbook is for people who want to eat their high without sacrificing good taste. Sativa was a lifelong smoker who found that ingesting cannabis prolonged the effects on her system and allowed her to avoid unhealthy smoke inhalation. As a chef, she recognized that others could benefit from healthier, diet conscious, and delicious recipes so she began supplying edible cannabis treats to Compassion Clubs and her experience eventually led to compiling this cookbook. “What truly pushed me to write the cookbook was that I couldn’t quit smoking cigarettes without stopping smoking pot as well,” acknowledges Sativa on the cookbook’s introduction page, who notes she hasn’t smoked anything in over a decade. “When I started experimenting with different recipes to get high without the lung damage, I asked a lot of people to test my recipes with me and I discovered I wasn’t the only one with a passion for edibles. Many people would prefer to eat pot rather than smoke it.”

CORNUCOPIAN VEGETABLE SALAD FIVE-A-DAY IN A BRAND-NEW WAY

DIRECTIONS:

INGREDIENTS: 1 head of broccoli, broken into florets 1 head of cauliflower, broken into florets 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1 medium English cucumber, sliced 1 medium Vidalia onion, thinly sliced 1 cup fresh carrots, sliced 1 cup ripe olives, drained and sliced 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives 1/2 cup Mary Jane Mayo (see accompanying recipe) 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup “Oregano” Oil (see accompanying recipe) 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar 2 ground cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups mozzarella, shredded

In a large salad bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, carrots, and both types of olives. In a small bowl, whisk together Mary Jane Mayo, vinegar, lemon juice, “Oregano” Oil, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, sugar, and garlic until evenly combined. Pour salad dressing over vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Stir in the mozzarella just before serving.

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“OREGANO” OIL

AN INFUSION WITH A REAL KICK

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups of olive oil 1/2 ounce of good cannabis ground to a powder (grind the cannabis up using a coffee grinder)

DIRECTIONS:

MARY JANE MAYO

THE REAL THING, NOW MEDICATED

INGREDIENTS: 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon of finely minced garlic 1 Tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice 1 teaspoon of prepared Dijon mustard 3/4 cup of “Oregano” Oil (see accompanying recipe) sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: Mix egg, garlic, lime juice, and Dijon mustard together in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, then blend on low speed while pouring the “Oregano” Oil into the blender in a fine stream as the mixture emulsifies and thickens. Keep refrigerated and be aware that one tablespoon of MJ Mayo is enough to get you baked.

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Place the powdered cannabis and oil in a regular crockpot. A mini crockpot (11/2-quart) is best. Regular size crockpots are only good if you’re making a lot of “Oregano” Oil at one time. Make sure the heat on the crockpot is on the lowest setting. Heat the oil and powdered cannabis together in the crockpot on low for at least 12 hours, but ultimately for 24 hours, covered. Allow the oil to cool then strain through a strainer, lined with a layer of cheesecloth, into a large bowl. Twist the pulp in the double layer of cheesecloth to get out all the oil. Refrigerate to quicken cooling. When cool, pour the oil back into its bottle, or another clean bottle, making sure to label it; you don’t want someone to mistake it for normal oil and accidentally dose themselves. I personally don’t strain the oil when it’s done, if not out of abject laziness then for the added fiber to my diet. The only thing you have to be careful of, if you choose not to strain, is that 1/3 cup of “Oregano” Oil with powdered cannabis in it does not actually measure 1/3 cup of “Oregano” Oil. I measure 1/3 cup plus a bit more, if you will, to even out the score. It used to be that people would use “shake” or low-grade pot for making “oregano” oil. However, more recent studies show that the superiority, potency and staying power of the final product are greatly improved by using good cannabis as opposed to “shake.” In Canada we’re able to purchase some wonderful hydroponically grown pot, which is my personal preference. This “Oregano” Oil will keep a long time in the fridge and you can use it just as you would use any oil in any recipe, be it savory or sweet. You can enjoy it in the same regard that you would any other oil. Extra virgin olive oil is mostly used as a salad dressing and as an ingredient in salad dressings. It is also used with foods to be eaten cold. If uncompromised by heat, the flavor is stronger. It also can be used for sautéing.

SEAFOOD RAGOUT

FEATURING THE BEST FLAVORS OF THE SEA

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1/3 cup “Oregano” Oil (see accompanying recipe) 4 ground garlic cloves, minced 3 stalks of celery, chopped 1 large onion, sliced 1 (15-ounce) can of whole tomatoes 1 cup balsamic vinegar 1 lb. lobster tails 1 lb. sole fillets 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 3 Tablespoons lemon juice 3 cups Pinot Grigio 5 cups fish stock 2 bay leaves 3 sprigs of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn 4 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped sea salt and pepper to taste

Cut lobster and sole into one-inch chunks. Combine lobster and sole with shrimp and lemon juice, set aside. Heat “Oregano” Oil in a large stew pot over medium heat. Add garlic, celery and onions, cooking until translucent. Pour in tomatoes, vinegar, and wine and let liquid come to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes. Pour in fish stock and add marinated seafood and fish along with basil, bay leaves, and parsley. Simmer ragout for about 20 minutes, until lobster has cooked through. Season ragout with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with crostini. This recipe is enough to get four people baked. Please remember when cooking with medicinal cannabis you are cooking with a medicine and the medicine amount and portions of the food ingested should always be taken into consideration. Always start out with small portions or doses and wait 30 minutes to an hour before eating any additional portions of food that has been medicated.

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IN THE LAND OF

Herb and Honey Northern Nevada beekeeper and edible company team up to hit the honey pot by Beth Schwartz

Timothy Keenan will be the first to tell you he is a self-proclaimed honey aficionado. Growing up, Keenan’s parents were beekeeping enthusiasts who kept a couple of backyard hives. “Those are some of my earliest and fondest memories of collecting honey when I was a child so that kind of stuck with me throughout the years,” explains Keenan. “As I have traveled the world over the last 10 years I have tried to collect as many honeys as I could -- like honey from Africa and Amazon and southeast Asia. I have a love for it, same as cannabis in a sense.” So, it only makes sense that Keenan, who as Sales/ Outreach Manager for Cannabella, would take the lead on the edible company’s honey product line when it was proposed earlier this year. “When we decided to do honey, I was lucky enough to be put in charge of finding the honey I wanted. I looked at different varietals, and looked at the various regions they were from, such as orange blossom versus sage,” says Keenan of his search which began in February. “I was after color, consistency, and flavor -- I wanted light and floral almost fruity versus a dark, robust honey. I wanted it to be nice and light and local so we can all benefit from local pollen for allergies.” During his research Keenan tried varietals from a half-

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dozen beekeepers with most being from Northern Nevada. “Varietals will change throughout the year based on different harvests and different places. I ask what region it’s from. It’s not going to be 100 percent Manzanita Brush or Orange Blossom; as an example, bees only fly two to eight miles to get their honey. Beekeepers put all of their hives next to an orchard farm knowing that’s where bees get a majority of their honey from and there might be a little bit of wildflower mixed in too.” Keenan eventually selected a Manzanita Brush honey from Reno beekeeper Al Sindlinger who started with just two hives 20 years ago and now has 200 with some hives playing host to as many as 100,000 bees. “In the summertime, I fight fires and I do the beekeeping in between all that. I keep the bees or more like they keep me,” Sindlinger offers with a chuckle. He, too, got into beekeeping as a hobby but it quickly went from a sideline hobby to a sideline business that he spends an average of 30 to 40 hours a week on, depending on the time of year. “I was living out in Elko and I had a garden and I really didn’t have any pollinators for it. I had a bunch of cucumbers growing with no pollinators so I thought maybe I should get some bees to pollinate. That’s kind of how it started. So, I picked up some books and taught myself through trial and error and I learned how to keep bees.” Now residing in the Reno area, Sindlinger starts the year by taking his bees to the almond orchards “because that’s kind of nice to help them build up. Almond contracts

are kind of tricky because they want mid-summer strength bees at the first of February so you have to kind of keep your bees pretty healthy and stimulate them and feed them so they start building up,” expounds Singlinger, who lets his bees collect their own honey and feed themselves. “I will feed them sugar. I don’t use high fructose corn syrup. I don’t like the generic connotations of feeding them that. I think it wreaks havoc on a bee’s immune system.” In an average year, Sindlinger produces between 10 and 12 55-gallon barrels of honey. Although in recent years it has been on the lesser side due to the five-year drought that plagued Northern Nevada. “It was discouraging during the drought because a lot of your bees die off. We had a drought from 2012 to 2016 that just broke this past year. I had to move my beehives and be kind of crafty during the drought and find places way up in the mountains where there was a little bit of water and moisture so the bees could make the honey,” adds Sindlinger. Noting honey has medicinal qualities, Sindlinger shares a story of a couple of people with Parkinson’s disease who started using his Rabbit Brush honey and were,

in turn, able to stop using medication for the disease. The medicinal qualities of honey made it a perfect fit for Cannabella’s mission of providing the highest quality, scientifically-based health products to cannabis dispensaries throughout Nevada. Noting his values align with Cannabella’s, Keenan explains, “part of my personal motivation for looking at things like honey or products with natural sugars is my mom is diabetic and so this is something that I can offer to her that is more diabetic-friendly with the natural sugars,” he says. In addition to diabetics, Keenan notes that Cannabella’s honey works well for cancer patients. “It’s best used for people who can’t tolerate eating or have throat or stomach cancer or just have digestive issues in general. They can’t handle an edible and don’t want to smoke but I have been hearing feedback from cancer patients that it is the only thing that they can consume.” (continued on page 45)

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Soul Food

Chef Deborah L. Costella shares a bittersweet story of healing and love in the age of cannabis. As Costella reveals her journey of cooking with marijuana to feed the comfort cravings of the ailing, she discovers a homecooked meal can be just the salve to soothe a broken body.

elevatenv.com | august

e all heard him whistling from the bathroom. A mindless melody so pleasant it reminded me of the orchestra of birds that sing and chirp each morning outside my bedroom window. But it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t morning, rather it was dusk. Mother had just walked in bearing a bottle of red wine, Aliya was sitting on the full-size bed we had moved to the living room weeks prior. It now served as the couch. His new bed was one of those rented hospital versions. It served his needs better now. Aliya sat cross-legged, her head down, knitting yet another hat for him. He was always cold. I stood in the small kitchen waiting for the grapeseed oil I had just poured into the cast iron skillet to shimmer indicating it was hot enough. Cut up pieces of chicken had been marinating in a buttermilk bath overnight, a mixture of dried herbs and spices merrily swimming in the tangy milk anticipating their future as supporting cast in this special meal.

Steamed Yukon Golds sat at the ready in a large mixing bowl awaiting their mashing with more of the reserved milk. Onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a good dollop of sour cream would be added to the potatoes making for the richest and creamiest of side dishes. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loved mashed potatoes since he was a baby. There was a jar of commercially prepared gravy sitting on the counter. A blatant indication of my inability to make gravy that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t separate. A crisp green salad was chopped, tossed and wrapped, chilling in the fridge. He asked me to prepare this selection of comfort foods the day before. I pointed out digesting such a heavy meal would be nearly impossible considering his current state of health. But his heartfelt plea, accentuated by the look in those big brown eyes, expressed such desire, my logic faded. So, I conceded.

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I wondered, as I moved pieces of chicken from tins of dry, wet, dry to the now hot oil, if my brother held the same fond food memory I did. As children, our father instigated several days dedicated to the picking, slicing, pitting and drying of apricots. At the end of these long days we were rewarded with a meal of KFC. Our entire family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, reveled in this take-out feast of soggy fried chicken, one dimensional mashed potatoes, fluffy, air-like biscuits and too smooth gravy. But after a day of sweat, hard work and downright fun, the ending was always looked forward to and was always delicious. I never got around to asking Lawrence, but figured the memory must’ve dwelled somewhere inside him, as it did within me. As adults he was the healthiest among us. Lawrence held the most sensible approach to eating. He applied little if any dressing to his salads. Ate only steel-cut oats with lots of nuts and fresh fruit mixed in for breakfast. Drank no alcohol and nary a piece of candy or dessert touched his lips. He consumed very little fat but rather ate tons of vegetables. So why was he the one struck with cancer? My siblings and I regularly consumed pounds of sugar, plenty of carbs, an abundance of bad fats and me, the worst, with my go-to dinner of wine and M&Ms. If food really is medicine, why were we spared while my little brother suffered the indignities of cancer? How is it, the one who ate all the right foods, in the right quantities, in addition to climbing on his bike to cycle miles upon miles along Skyline and beyond, ended up sick? What kind of perfect storm raged undetected until we found ourselves standing behind and beside him as he faced off against chemotherapy, surgeries and more chemo? I still don’t have an answer to that question. But on this particular evening, now in his early 50s, wheelchair bound with tubes and bags attached to his torso like a makeshift hula skirt, Lawrence puttered in his bathroom whistling a happy tune. It was clear to Mother, Aliya and I, he was eager to partake of a meal prepared just for him. The aromatic scent of chicken frying in hot oil, the sound of thick gravy burping and bubbling on the stove, and eye-pleasing biscuits browning in the oven offered each of us a kind of emotional reprieve from our current reality. I had occasionally spent time visiting and helping my brother in the months prior to this evening. But during the last three months of his life, I became a more prominent fixture in this gladiator’s arena in his fight against cancer. Between changing bags, physical therapy, doctor’s visits, errands and cooking, our days were

very, very busy. However, by five o’clock each evening, my brother would wheel himself from his favored spot, in front of the fireplace (an effort to warm his chilled bones), to a corner window and partake of his preferred medicine, marijuana. As he gazed out the open window and lit his water pipe, he would call, “It’s time for your wine Webbie.” Webbie, a childhood nickname derived from Debbie when he was a toddler, unable to pronounce Deborah. My parents allowed for Debbie, but evidently, he couldn’t pronounce that either. He would open the widow wide, waving his hand to encourage the smoke to wind its way to the street below. He did this to appease the homevisiting doctors, nurses and therapists who made it clear they didn’t condone smoking but understood the medicinal properties marijuana held for Lawrence and others like him. Especially in easing the pain and nausea my brother continuously suffered. That evening as Lawrence made his way to the window, calling out the wine bell for Mother, Aliya and myself, I watched as he deeply inhaled the herbaceous medicine. By the time Lawrence was finished and secured his pipe back in the cupboard, Mother, Aliya and I had plated our dinner, then gathered together on the bed-couch for a make-shift picnic. Lawrence rolled up alongside us and balancing his plate on his lap, turned on “Judge Judy.” The four of us commenced eating. Not even the scolding and admonishments from Judge Judy to those poor plaintiffs and defendants could drown out the “mmmm’s” and “yum’s” emanating from my brother and the others. I smiled from ear to ear, happy I could give my brother something he so wanted. It was a simple and small gesture on my part but one with grand reward. I think of that night often. Mother can’t talk about it without crying. That night was the last time any of us heard Lawrence whistle. Fast forward almost a year after his passing, it suddenly occurs to me, I could’ve easily done more to ensure my brother’s food really did serve as medicine. I happened to be at a party with some friends. There was a woman I was introduced to whom I discovered went to the same college I attended, Foothill Junior College. Crazy as those meetings can turn out to be, she had heard of me, but not as Deborah Viariseo rather as Cosmic Muffin (another nickname, given to me for obvious reasons, if you know me). Someone standing nearby overheard our conversation and laughed then teasingly asked, “So what kind of muffins were you cooking up?” (continued on page 30)

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COSMIC MUFFIN’S INFUSED FRIED CHICKEN Ingredients for Chicken Seasoning (Yield: 1 to 1-½ cups of this mixture) 2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper 6 Tbsp. granulated garlic (not garlic salt) 3 Tbsp. paprika 3 Tbsp. onion powder 3 Tbsp. kief 2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar 2 Tbsp. kosher salt 1 Tbsp. cracked pepper

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN AND MARINADE 1 4 lb. whole chicken, cut into 8-10 pieces 4 cups buttermilk – separated 2 Tbsp. Frank’s Hot Sauce 1 cup or bottle of dark beer - divided ¼ cup of Chicken Seasoning recipe (above) 4 cups infused grapeseed, peanut or vegetable oil for frying

INGREDIENTS FOR DREDGING FLOUR 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ¼ cup of Chicken Seasoning recipe (above)

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INGREDIENTS FOR WET MIXTURE 1 large or jumbo egg 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda 1 Tbsp. mustard

INGREDIENTS FOR GLAZE ¼ cup of Chicken Seasoning recipe (above) 1 cup of reserved infused frying oil Kosher salt to taste

METHOD In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients for Chicken Seasoning, mixing well. Set aside. In a very large bowl, combine 3 cups of buttermilk, hot sauce, ½ of beer and seasoning mix. Add chicken, making sure chicken pieces are completely submerged. Cover and place in fridge at least 4 hours or overnight. After chicken has been marinated, begin by placing a wire rack over a sheet pan, then set chicken pieces on rack to drain. Meanwhile, whisk together flour and seasoning mix in a cake or pie pan. In a separate cake or pie pan, whisk together the remaining cup of buttermilk, the other half of the beer, egg, baking powder, baking soda and mustard. In a heavy cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, over medium heat, add about 2 inches of infused oil and heat to about 350°. Begin by dipping the chicken pieces, one at a time, into the flour mixture, coating all sides, then into the egg mixture. Shake off excess then place chicken, skin down first, into hot oil. Do not overcrowd the skillet/pot. Fry chicken until a rich brown crust has developed before turning, about 15-20 minutes per side. If your pot/pan is too small to hold all the chicken, allow the oil to heat back up to 350° before adding the next batch. While chicken is cooking, add about 1 cup of frying oil to what’s left of the seasoning mixture and whisk until smooth (this is your glaze). Transfer fried chicken pieces to a clean cooling rack, set over a sheet pan and brush with prepared glaze. Sprinkle chicken, while still hot, with a dash of salt and serve hot or at room temperature.

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That’s when it happened. Bells went off in my head, lights, bells, and sirens -- all of it. How could I not have thought to do that for Lawrence? Of course, back in those college days, I’d thrown half a “lid” into a package of dry brownie mix, added oil, water and an egg then baked the mixture up according to package directions. I carefully frosted them with chocolate icing then dotted each brownie with an M&M so people would know they were “laced.” This was my signature contribution to many a college party. Those days were long gone, and it hadn’t occurred to me to cook with cannabis since. But in that moment, with the strobe light of ideas going off in my head, it was as if Lawrence was there asking me from wherever he was: “Yeah, what about those muffins?” For over three years now I have been experimenting and honing my skills as a chef of healing foods. Taking cues from my brother, I prefer to focus on infusing foods that do a body good. Not just brownies, Rice Krispy treats, cookies and candies. Instead, I do my best to infuse foods that are healthy, more savory in nature. I prepare gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and of course, fried chicken. Whatever type of food is needed by those who have decided to integrate holistic medicine with traditional treatments. People who, like Lawrence, are suffering debilitating diseases, chronic pain or other maladies inhibiting their ability to fully think and function are told this is the “new normal.” It has been my experience during recent years, as I prepare a variety of infused foods, how much good ingesting medical cannabis can do. From providing temporary pain relief in the form of a balm to reducing more severe pain from surgery and illness and bringing it to a level that is at least tolerable. Ingesting medical marijuana means no smoke in their lungs or the environment they spend their time in and seems to do a better job in alleviating nausea while increasing appetite. Many are already familiar with Charlotte’s Web, a well-known CBD-dominant strain bred to reduce seizures in a young child. It is this same medicine that when ingested in the form of food can help with insomnia, allowing much needed sleep to sweep into their ailing bodies. And, let’s not forget the added dose of joy certain strains of medical marijuana can provide, juxtaposing a kind of paradigm shift in the mind and therefore the spirit by inducing a chuckle or eliciting laughter, a nearly forgotten response for many and their caregivers. How I wish I’d thought to do this for Lawrence when he was here. Instead I do it for others. Because this I know for certain -- food really is medicine.

evergreenorganix.com

PROFILE

Evergreen Organix brings FlavRx vapes to Nevada marketplace

In late July, Evergreen Organix introduced California-based vape brand FlavRx into the Nevada marketplace with a launch at Silver State Relief in Sparks. “The Evergreen Organix model is to focus on the top, most winning strains and the things that consumers and patients like the most. So, with that in mind, we decided to create a strategic alliance with FlavRx,” explained Jillian Nelson, Evergreen Organix Operations Manager. But it wasn’t without first embarking on quite a bit of research before creating the strategic partnership. “We tried various brands, did a lot research, and studied the four markets of Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington. We found that the most volume and that the largest and most respected names came from California, even though they were medical,” said Nelson. “On the medical side, there were three that continuously shined, and one of those was FlavRx. We like the way they marketed, the way they branded themselves, and that they used topnotch ingredients. So, we did a California taste test and they were by far the most desired.”

A producer of medicinal cannabis oil for vaporizers and edibles, FlavRx is well-known for Tropical Trainwreck, which is the most popular in the California market, followed by Gorilla Glue, Blueberry, and Granddaddy Purple. FlavRx is focused specifically on the core component of the vaping experience, and as such, has created a line of lab-tested, strain-specific, solventless, and delicious oils. They offer 31 different strains, each with its own unique terpene profile, and ensure safe, clean products that are glycol-free, guaranteeing no PPMs or unwanted residuals. "Our product is brand-new in the sense that no other competitor offers true strain-specific oils, nor has taken strides to ensure such consistent quality. It's critical that patients know what FlavRx is, what makes it special, and most importantly, where to find it," said Steven Dang, founder of FlavRx.

“That’s one of the things we tested with FlavRx,” offered Nelson. “Their cartridges have one of the lowest leak rates. We haven’t had any problems, we have run them through heat testing and, so far, they have not failed. It goes to their ample experience, and that’s another benefit to partnering with them.” As a veteran of the cannabis industry with almost 10 years of experience, FlavRx “has been through multiple types of cartridges over the years so we are leveraging off of their experience to deliver a quality product,” explained Nelson. “They also bring their expertise in the laboratory to allow us to properly manage our CO2 extraction and our short-path distillation process to not only service the vape pen market, but also to get us the highest quality of extracted and purified oil for our chocolate and candy products.”

In addition to offering tasty strainspecific oils, FlavRx manufactures a quality vape cartridge product.

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D E -UP C I U J Getting the buzz on the next big health trend by Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK

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JUICING YOUR WAY TO HEALTH WITH RAW CANNABIS Get ready to add the next big superfood to your juice concoction. Those who treat their bodies as a temple and leave no stone unturned when pursuing avenues of optimal health are adding fresh cannabis leaves to their green juicing regimen. Green juicing which primarily includes Popeye’s favorite leafy greens of kale and spinach now has one more nutritionally-rich component in raw cannabis. There are many routes of administration for consuming cannabis, all of which are beneficial for the body in providing health and bringing balance. Choosing the best route for you as a patient will be dependent on a variety of factors that specifically fit your lifestyle and your desired outcome. I personally enjoy juicing raw cannabis leaves daily -- raw cannabis is cannabis that has been uncured and unheated -- simply for the fact that there are no psychoactive effects because to experience a psychoactive high from cannabis, the bud or leaves need to be heated. Also, as important, fresh cannabis provides more bang for your buck in its nutritional values and overall desired outcomes. Juicing fresh cannabis leaves offers a natural approach to health and wellness in providing balance to your Endocannabinoid system (eCS). Cannabis leaves are particularly rich in phytocannabinoids CBDA and CBG, while juiced flower can offer the benefits of THC-A, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw and live cannabis.

“Juices of fruits and vegetables are pure gifts from Mother Nature and the most natural way to heal your body and make yourself whole again.” ― Farnoosh Brock, author of “The Healthy Juicer's Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long”

]

Cannabinoids offer significant antiinflammatory, neuroprotection, and pain relief benefits that are hard to get from “activated” or heat-processed cannabinoids like delta-9-THC and CBD. Additionally, the body tolerates larger dosages of cannabinoids when cannabis is consumed in the raw form providing a system-wide therapeutic and nutritional benefit. There’s only one downside. Acquisition of fresh fan leaves from cannabis plants can be challenging. Nevada’s testing requirements state that the moisture content of cannabis products must be less than 15 percent moisture to pass testing, and fresh leaves typically contain about 80 percent water, so they aren't available in dispensaries. For those who live in a state that allows personal marijuana cultivation, an outdoor greenhouse or indoor grow closet is recommended to produce fresh cannabis for juicing.

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JUHLZIE JUICE

½ cup water and/or fruit/vegetable juice (i.e. apple juice, carrot juice) ½ cup ice 6-8 berries (blueberries/raspberries/blackberries) 2-4 strawberries 15 fresh cannabis leaves 2 large raw buds (2-4 inches long) harvested when THC glands are clear (rather than amber/cloudy) 6-8 fresh spinach leaves 1-2 fresh asparagus stems 2 baby carrots 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice 4oz. organic yogurt 1/8 tsp of powdered turmeric 1-tablespoon honey/agave (used as a sweetener - if desired)

Juicing

Instructions: Use a juicer or blender (i.e. NutriBullet or kitchen blender) to mix ingredients until well blended. Make sure ingredients don’t overheat as it may cause decarboxilation of the cannabis which gives you a euphoric “high.” Add water/ice as necessary for desired thickness. Makes two 16oz. servings. Store unused portion in covered container/jar in refrigerator for later use.

Helpful Hints for Juicing Cannabis: • • • • • •

Juiced cannabis should always be diluted with water or another type of fruit/vegetable juice, as it will be extremely acidic. Juice cuts down on the bitterness of the raw cannabis. Plant material must be fresh. Leaves that have been dried or stored for extended periods are not recommended. Most likely, your local dispensary will not have a fresh supply of raw cannabis available but many patients and caregivers do grow their own medicine. When gathering ingredients, fresher is always better. Vegetables begin breaking down and losing valuable enzymes from the moment they are harvested. To get the most out of a juicing cannabis, it is recommended that only the freshest produce, including cannabis, be used. Juicing has no inherent health risk, although you do want to be careful to watch your sugar intake (especially if you are diabetic) as juicing has a fast absorption rate and may increase your sugar levels rapidly. Be very careful to keep heat exposure to the plant as low as possible to prevent psychoactive effects.

Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK, also known as Nurse Juhlzie in the cannabis community, is the founder and editor of Cannabis Nurses, a monthly national magazine focused on the healthcare profession and cannabis.

august | elevatenv.com 35

DAY ONE

USHERING IN RECREATIONAL CANNABIS WITH STATE SENATOR TICK SEGERBLOM By Deanna Rilling Photo by Hector Leyva

As the countdown to midnight approached Saturday, July 1, a line of over 1,000 people snaked around the 165,000-square-foot Reef Dispensary location at 3400 Western Avenue in Las Vegas. A DJ was spinning cannabis-centric tunes near the entrance as Nevada State Senator Richard “Tick” Segerblom arrived amidst the excitement. A flurry of media followed him inside where he’d be the first legal recreational marijuana customer when the clock struck 12. As Nevada’s biggest supporter of legalization, it was only apropos he would make the first purchase on the historic occasion. As fireworks punctuated the sky signaling “Day 1” of legalized recreational cannabis, Segerblom purchased the sativa strain named after him: Segerblom Haze. “It was very exciting,” Segerblom tells elevate of the festivities. “To see it actually happen and realizing that you can actually buy and use cannabis is pretty amazing.” “I think the most rewarding thing was just the show of support we got from the community and how many people came out on opening night,” says Matt Morgan, CEO of Reef Dispensaries/Tryke Companies. “It had a huge wow factor to it and it made all the hard work leading up to that day definitely worth it.” “I was impressed,” Segerblom says of the turnout. “We had no idea what it was going to be like. Our goal was to have

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it look like that but we weren’t sure it would,” he says. “Obviously word had gotten out and the demand is out there and everyone was very excited. It was like New Year’s Eve.” Another thing Segerblom was wowed by? His strain namesake. “I didn’t actually try it early Saturday morning, but I have tried it and it works,” he laughs. Recreational cannabis had such a high demand in the first week that it created hiccups throughout the Valley thanks to liquor distributors not being prepared to handle distribution on July 1. While Nevada’s medical cannabis business has a tried and tested process in getting product from growers and manufacturers to shelves, recreational rules prevented the recreational side of dispensaries from implementing the same system. “The biggest problem is because we sold so much we’re going to have to refill the dispensaries and to do that we have to have a distributor process in the works,” says Segerblom. “Right now the liquor distributors are the only game in town given the court ruling…so they need to expedite that process and get them up and running so they can deliver from the grows and from the edible companies to the dispensaries as soon as possible because some of the dispensaries are running on fumes right now they sold so much.”

However, unlike some dispensaries that sold out of product, Reef was prepared. “We went into this thing with eyes wide open and we’re pretty—I guess you could say flexible—on demand,” says Morgan. “We went in thinking the demand may be a two multiplier, maybe an eight multiplier, we didn’t know for sure, but we were prepared for all scenarios and we were prepared to have an issue with transportation for a month or more if need be,” he says. “We’re not allowed to transfer from one room to another, even in a vertically integrated site,” Morgan explains. “Essentially how the law is written is an alcohol distributor would have to come into the building and walk it from one room to another, which is about 100 feet,” he says. “It’s madness; makes no sense whatsoever.” On July 7th numerous empty shelves prompted Governor Brian Sandoval to declare a cannabis state of emergency upon which the state’s tax commission voted to expand distributor licenses to more than just liquor distributors. Even though the state is on board with making things run smoothly, as a good portion of the taxes from recreational will go to helping Nevada’s next-to-last ranking schools, there are concerns that Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a vocal opponent of marijuana, may try to make an example out of Nevada and go after recreational cannabis. “Personally I’m not [worried],”

says Segerblom. “I think if he wants to go after Nevada he’ll bite off more than he can chew,” he says. “You can tell by the crowds that you can’t put this genie back in the bottle. It’s a losing battle.” Morgan also isn’t stressed. “I’m not overly worried just for the simple fact I feel Nevada has the strongest regulations in the country,” Morgan says. “I feel like if he were to make an example, I think it would be a different state.” As far as consuming marijuana, you still can’t light up in public or even hotel rooms, thus many tourists are opting for vape pens and edibles. “We’ve definitely seen a spike in sales of both of those, especially the closer you are to the Strip obviously,” says Morgan. But will we see consumption lounges for the pungent flower any time soon? “The bill I had died,” says Segerblom, “but it appears that the local jurisdictions have authority and they can do anything, so it’s really going to be up to the City Council and the County Commission to decide whether they want to do it,” he says. “I think, frankly, the hotels like it, the police like it and the demand to have some kind of lounges or coffee shops or whatever is going to be there, but it’s going to take a while.” With Segerblom setting his sights on running for the Clark County Commission next, perhaps a cannabis coffee shop isn’t too far off in the future.

august | elevatenv.com 37

“Amanda Connor is a consummate professional. She is respectful of other people’s time and money. Her subject matter knowledge is unparalleled. I always want Amanda Connor on my team.” --David Goldwater, Managing Partner, Inyo Fine Cannabis Dispensary

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Photo by Susan Silva

The dawning of the Age of Cannabis ( July 1, 2017 marked the end of marijuana prohibition in Nevada and dispensaries throughout the Las Vegas Valley happily celebrated the historic and long-awaited moment. At Oasis Medical Cannabis located on Industrial Road visitors didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind the long line that snaked around the parking lot as the dispensaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party atmosphere included body painting, music, food trucks and plenty of enthusiastic revelers.

august | elevatenv.com 39

Revelers enjoy a firewo rk display at The Reef dis pensary during the midnight celebration of the legalization of recrea tional marijuana.

elevatenv.com | august

t Brett Rosepiler puts the During the wee hours of July 1st artis ls displayed on the front of mura three of one on finishing touches Photo by Susan Silva ry. ensa disp Acres Craft Cannabis

Acres Craft Cannabis dispensary advertises plans to commemorate Nevadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legalization of recreational marijuana with a community jam, dance battle, DJs, free donuts and a lotta love as day one rolls in. Photo by Susan Silva

Pre-rolls being pr eppe Acres Craft Cann d in the production abis dispensary. Photo by

oduction kitchen at Photo by Susan Silva

Swenson Street near dispensary located on The team at the Grove at midnight on July 1. rs pares to open its doo the UNLV campus pre Photo by Guy Bertuzzi

Lots of cannabis enthusiasts became a part of Nevada history at midnight on July 1st at the Apothecarium dispensary on Buffalo and Sahara.

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Edibles prove popular during first month of legal recreational marijuana When recreational marijuana became legal on July 1, edibles were far and away the most sought-after product sold at Nevada dispensaries. Many dispensaries sold out of them. There are three reasons for their mass appeal. Edibles are discreet, there is no smoking involved, and edibles sold legally are of much higher quality than those sold on the black market. With their popularity in mind, we have compiled some tips for edibles consumption. First and most important, start low. Most users tend to experience a very different effect from edibles than they do from other methods of marijuana consumption. Even the most experienced smokers can have a very different reaction to edibles compared to their normal smoking routine. This is because when THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are being digested versus inhaled, the cannabinoids are metabolized differently. This is also why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for users to know the potency and portion sizes of edibles so they can dose according to individual tolerance levels. Consumers with no history of edible use should always start low and gauge their reaction to their current dose before upping their dosage level. Edible cannabis can take up two

elevatenv.com | august

hours before consumers experience an effect. Never take another dose unless you are comfortable with the full effect of your previous dose. Gauge your reaction first and then consider increasing your dosage. Should you overconsume, there are a couple of ways to roll back the psychoactive effects of too much THC. You can chew on black peppercorns or pick up some CBD oil at any dispensary and put a few drops under your tongue to counter the effects of overconsumption.

DOSING GUIDE New Users: less than 10 mg Little to no experience with cannabis whatsoever. This also includes consumers who also use very infrequently, i.e. only a few times of year at most. Occasional Users: 10-25 mg Semi-routine cannabis usage. Users are relatively familiar with their bodily reactions to edible cannabis products. Frequent Users: 25-50 mg Weekly cannabis usage. Users have a solid understanding of their bodiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reaction to edible cannabis products. Experienced Users: greater than 50 mg Daily cannabis usage. Users who consume routinely and have built a tolerance to higher cannabis dosage levels.

(continued from page 12)

REMEDY’S BLUE DREAM Quite literally a dream come true for daytime smokers, Blue Dream came to fruition in the early aughts. Its genetic origins are Blueberry indica and Haze sativa. This was, of course, the era before the world was so weed savvy and, while we have always loved this strain, it wasn’t until much later that we fully realized why. This sativa-dominant hybrid provides a rare form of energized pain relief in a sweet and delicious package. Gently coaxing the mind into a state of engagement, there is nothing in this slow smoking varietal that could be considered heavy or sedative. “Most favorable is the taste and smell of the blueberry, and the overall calming effect for both body and brain,” says Chris Welch, cultivation manager, Silver Sage Wellness. A great strain for both beginners and experienced smokers to explore, it packs a THC punch with a level of 28.18 percent. One hit and you will be floating in a pleasant and lucid dream, similar to the effects of how one feels after an invigorating guided meditation.

CANNABIOTIX’S BUBBLE GUM Cannabiotix has been growing the clone-only Bubble Gum strain for about 12 years, but it has been said the strain originated in Indiana and then migrated around the country before heading to Holland. “The overall effect and flavor profile are really what makes it special. It's definitely one of our more original, old-school cuts like the Super Silver Haze and Master Kush,” says Neema Samari, cofounder and chief operating officer of Cannabiotix. “Those are all strains that we've had in the fold for over 10 years.” Smoking this strain will really put you at ease. It is a very relaxing and euphoric high that starts in the head and then hits the body. “Anybody that's smoked it, knows that the effects are very heavily indica leaning,” says Samari of Bubble Gum which is 22.57 percent THC and .039 percent CBD. “Gives heavy eyelids, total body relaxation, and a couch-melt feeling.” Bubble Gum is as its same suggests, a sweet smell equal to its sweet high.

august | elevatenv.com 43

elevatenv.com | august

(continued from page 23) On the lighter side of the ailment spectrum, Cannabella’s Sierra Nevada honey is also used by those who prefer not to smoke, seasonal allergy sufferers, and as a sleep aid used in tea at nighttime or taken by the spoonful. Keenan’s favorite way to eat honey is straight. “I am such a honey fan I enjoy it in lieu of candy. When I get that sweet tooth at night, I will feel a lot less guilty having a teaspoon of honey instead of eating a Snickers bar.” Noting he has a palate for honey and cannabis but not for beer, wine or anything else, Keenan is “pleased with what we have out there because it’s nice and light. It doesn’t have an overly weedy flavor. I like our honey over others. I have tried many cannabis honeys and many are very cannabis forward, very weedy flavored. We wanted something more subtle with just enough cannabis flavor to know it’s in there. That’s the way our whole product line is, there’s just enough of the cannabis flavor to know it’s in there,” he says, adding that it needs to be good enough for mom or grandma.

Keenan sees the possibility of more Cannabella honey varietals. “We might look into different flavors or a darker more robust Rabbit Brush honey which has medicinal properties and do that in the future,” he reveals. But for now, it appears Keenan has found his sweet spot. “Cannabis and honey have been two of my loves for the majority of my life and to see them come together and get attention is wonderful,” concludes Keenan. “The more people we can help, the better I will feel about it all.”

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON ADULT-USE MARIJUANA LAUNCHES IN JULY The organizers of Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol or Question 2 have launched a public education campaign at knowthefactsnevada.com to inform Nevadans and tourists about the new recreational marijuana law and regulations that went into effect on July 1. “Know the Facts Nevada will work with industry leaders to ensure that these first few months of adult-use marijuana sales roll out smoothly,” said Joe Brezny, campaign spokesperson for Know the Facts Nevada. The campaign will run partner with local media to provide information about consuming marijuana safely and responsibly, while highlighting the dos and don’ts of the new law. RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION LICENSES AWARDED Crooked Wine, a federally licensed liquor distributor based in Reno, who partnered with Blackbird Logistics, the main distributor for Nevada medical marijuana establishments, received the state’s first marijuana

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distribution license. Crooked Wine will hold the license while Blackbird acts as its agent for retail marijuana distribution. A second distribution license was awarded to Las Vegas-based Rebel One. NDA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ABOUT EDIBLES The Nevada Dispensary Association (NDA) has launched a new website, goodtoknownv.com, to educate Nevadans and tourists on the state’s new recreational marijuana law. “We are heeding the advice of Colorado lawmakers and regulators to be proactive about public awareness and education on responsible consumption of marijuana,” said NDA Executive Director Riana Durrett. To aid in the education process, the NDA announced the launch of the “Good to Know” Nevada information campaign, which seeks to provide useful facts to tourists and Nevadans on subjects ranging from edible safety to youth prevention. Retailers will also find a copy of the written notification (updated as of July 1, 2017) that must be distributed to customers who purchase product.

{

DISRUPT, INNOVATE & ELEVATE

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OBJECTIONS OVERRULED: OVERCOMING COMMON CANNABIS CUSTOMER CHALLENGES By Mark S.A. Smith

An important aspect of sales acumen focuses on overcoming customer objections. When a customer says “no,” how do you continue the conversation? When you and your sales team can turn a higher percentage of the “no’s” to “yes’s” you can instantly increase sales and profits, plus you can satisfy the reason for the customer to come into your store. To routinely overcome objections, you need to understand four things: 1) The customer came in to the store to accomplish a specific outcome. If they leave without accomplishing that outcome, they may never come back. Your job is to make sure they leave satisfied, including overcoming any objections that might arise that prevents them from doing so. 2) Until a salesperson speaks, there are no objections, only unmet customer desires. Objections arise when a salesperson makes a claim the customer finds undesirable. Understand and sell to your customer’s wanted outcome and few, if any, objections appear. 3) Most negative responses from customers aren’t really objections. Legendary sales trainer Zig Ziglar sagely pointed out, “Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.” Your sales job becomes helping them clarify their need and desire, helping them understand urgency (rarely a problem when selling cannabis), match their budget, and, along the way, create trust. 4) The four steps to overcoming objections: a) Create agreement – it’s easier to move from agreement to agreement than from disagreement to agreement. b) Ask them to consider another option, being open to thinking about a different way to achieve their desired outcome. c) Give them a surprising or delightful insight about the new option that resets their expectations. d) Invite them to try the new option at little or no risk. With these ideas in mind, consider some responses to common objections, such as: “I can get it cheaper somewhere else.”

This statement is routinely used – whether it’s true or not – to get merchants to lower their price or sweeten the deal. You must brush this off at least once or twice to hold your price. Try these responses: --“When you say cheaper, how much cheaper?” --“If prices were all the same, who would you choose?” --“That’s always a possibility, yet, I’ve found that often there’s a reason why it’s cheaper, and it’s not always a good one. With cannabis, you want the best possible quality, the freshest product, and the highest purity. Don’t you? And that doesn’t come cheap. What price-point do you have in mind?” Another common objection is “You don’t have my favorite brand.” Never knock their favorite. Instead, understand what makes it a favorite and then offer them an upgraded option. I recommend using the phrase “upgraded” instead of “better” as it creates less resistance and doesn’t feel judgmental about their preference. “Oh? What’s your favorite brand? Why do you like it? What do you wish it would do? Would you consider trying something very similar and a little upgraded from that?” There’s also the easily transcended: “I don’t want to spend that much.” “Oh, I understand. There are a few options. If you’re celebrating and want something of this quality to treat yourself, then we can go with a smaller quantity. You’ll find it goes along way. Under what circumstances would you be willing to spend that much?” Make a list of the most common objections you hear. You’ll probably find that there aren’t that many, you just hear them all the time. Then create responses using these ideas, testing and fine tuning them until you maximize your success helping change your customers’ minds. And if you want some help, contact me. Mark S. A. Smith helps business executives create disruptive and comprehensive business strategies and marketing plans. He publishes weekly business articles on LinkedIn (http://MarksOnLinkedIn.com) and just launched SellingDisruptionShow.com, a weekly podcast. Contact him at Mark.Smith@BijaCo.com

august | elevatenv.com 47

DISPENSARY MAP

A Patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guide to Cannabis in Southern Nevada

JONES BLVD

HIG SO HL UTH AN ER DS N PK W

PECOS RD

CACTUS AVE

K EP OS .T R HENDERSON S MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

215

6TH ST

COMMERCE ST MAIN ST 3RD ST

D BLV PARADISE RD

AS VEG

MARYLAND PKWY

TER WES

L RD RIA

LAS

17 AVE

Y RACETRACK RD

PKW AD E ME LAK

GIBSON RD

28b

HORIZON RIDGE PKWY

HORIZON DR

515

GE SUNRSIDPKWY HEIGHT

A W A R D

AVE

11b

UST

HLA STEPHANIE ST

WARM SPRINGS RD

15b

HIG

NELLIS BLVD

SET

HENDERSON WIGWAM PKWY 15a

NA VE

RANCHO DR

NELLIS BLVD

LAMB BLVD

PECOS RD

SUN

30b

DESERT INN RD

SAM BOYD STADIUM

WINDMILL LN

PEBBLE RD

PKWY

DECATUR BLVD

SILVERADO RANCH BLVD

515

AMO

E DI

BLU

D RD

LLY

WINDMILL LN

KAREN AVE

SUNSET COUNTY PARK

SAHARA AVE

E TWAIN

RUSSELL RD SUNSET RD

21a

OAKEY BLVD

8a 12 22 ST. LOUIS AVE

GREEN DISTRICT

FLAMINGO RD

GREEN VALLEY

MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

215

WARM SPRINGS RD

N 5TH

LOS EE R N ST MAI

AS B VEG

LAS VEGAS TROPICANA AVE

DESERT INN RD

29b

SUNSET RD

PECOS RD

8c 28a

SAHARA AVE

SANDHILL RD

RUSSELL RD

MARYLAND PKWY

JONES BLVD

RAINBOW BLVD

BUFFALO DR

21a

27 26

TROPICANA AVE

EASTERN AVE

FLAMINGO RD

CHARLESTON BLVD

STR

SAHARA AVE

3 18

SAHARA AVE 15

THE

30a

DESERT INN RD

PAHRUMP

31b 5b 3 18

BERMUDA RD

DURANGO DR

FT APACHE RD

TOWN CENTER DR

HUALAPAI WAY

WASHINGTON AVE BONANZA RD

CHARLESTON BLVD

29a

OWENS AVE

LVD

ALTA DR

OAKEY BLVD

31b

CHARLESTON BLVD

LAKE MEAD BLVD

MARYLAND PKWY

EGA SV NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE

WASHINGTON AVE

215

160

CAMINO AL NORTE / MLK

SIMMONS ST

VEGAS DR

159

DECATUR BLVD

CAREY AVE BLVD

LAS

LIN

NORTH LAS VEGAS AIRPORT

LAS VEGAS BLVD SOUTH

21b

LV SB

CRAIG RD

31a

DECATUR BLVD

NORTH LAS VEGAS

MESQUITE

CENTENNIAL PKWY

WASHBURN RD

BUFFALO DR

ALEXANDER RD

ANN RD

H NC RA

RAINBOW BLVD

LONE MOUNTAIN RD

CHEYENNE AVE

11a

JONES BLVD

GRAND CANYON DR

DURANGO DR

LAKE ME AD

215

IND

RENO

LAUGHLIN

BOULDER CITY

W I N N I N G

Warning! Schedule 1 controlled substance. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery. Keep out of reach of children.

1. Acres Cannabis acrescannabis.com 2320 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.399.4200 2. Apothecarium apothecariumlv.com 7885 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89117 702.778.7987 3. Blackjack Collective blackjackcollective.com 1860 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.545.0026 4a. Blüm LetsBlum.com 1921 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.718.Blum 4b. Blüm LetsBlum.com 3650 S Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.627.Blum 4c. Blüm LetsBlum.com 1130 E Desert Inn Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.536.Blum 5a. CANOPI canopi.com 6540 Blue Diamond Rd Las Vegas, NV 89139 702.420.7338 5b. CANOPI canopi.com 1324 S 3rd St Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.420.2902 5c. CANOPI canopi.com 2113 Las Vegas Blvd North North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.420.2113 6. Deep Roots Harvest deeprootsharvest.com 195 Willis Carrier Canyon Mesquite, NV 89034 702.345.2854 7. Euphoria Wellness euphoriawellnessnv.com 7780 S Jones Blvd Ste #105 Las Vegas, NV 89139 702.960.7200 8a. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 2307 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.978.7591

F LO W E R S

8b. Essence Cannabis Dispensary (Patients Only) essencevegas.com 4300 E Sunset Rd Ste #A3 Henderson, NV 89014 702.978.7687 8c. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 5765 W Tropicana Ave Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.500.1714 9. Inyo Fine Cannabis Dispensary inyolasvegas.com 2520 S Maryland Pkwy Ste #2 Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.707.8888 10. Jardin jardincannabis.com 2900 E Desert Inn Rd Ste #102 Las Vegas, NV 89121 702.331.6511 11a. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 5530 N Decatur Blvd North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.718.0420 11b. Jenny’s Dispensary (Patients Only) Jennysdispensary.com 10420 S Eastern Ave Henderson, NV 89052 702.718.0420 12. Las Vegas ReLeaf lasvegasreleaf.com 2244 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.209.2400 13. Medizin medizinlv.com 4850 W Sunset Rd Ste #130 Las Vegas, NV 89118 702.206.1313 14. MMJ America mmjamerica.com 4660 S Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.565.9333 15a. Nevada Medical Marijuana (Patients Only) nevadamedicalmarijuana.com 3195 St. Rose Pkwy Ste #212 Henderson, NV 89052 702.737.7777 15b. Nevada Medical Marijuana nevadamedicalmarijuana.com 1975 S Casino Dr Laughlin, NV 89029 702.737.7777 16. Nevada Wellness Center nvwellnessctr.com 3200 S Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.470.2077

17. NuLeaf www.nuleafnv.com 430 E Twain Ave Las Vegas, NV 89169 702.297.5323

28a. The Dispensary thedispensarynv.com 5347 S Decatur Blvd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89118 702.476.0420

18. Oasis Medical Cannabis oasismedicalcannabis.com 1800 S Industrial Rd Ste #180 Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.420.2405

28b. The Dispensary thedispensarynv.com 50 N Gibson Rd Ste #170 Henderson, NV 89104 702.476.0420

19. Panacea Quality Cannabis lvpanacea.com 4235 Arctic Spring Ave Las Vegas, NV 89115 702.405.8597

29a. The Grove TheGroveNV.com 1541 E Basin Ave Pahrump, NV 89048 775.556.0100

20. Pisos Dispensary pisoslv.com 4110 S Maryland Pkwy Ste #1 Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.367.9333

29b. The Grove TheGroveNV.com 4647 Swenson St Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.463.5777

21a. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 3400 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.475.6520

30a. The Source thesourcenv.com 2550 S Rainbow Blvd Ste #8 Las Vegas, NV 89146 702.708.2000

21b. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 1366 W Cheyenne Ave North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.410.8032

30b. The Source (Patients Only) thesourcenv.com 9480 S Eastern Ave Ste #185 Henderson, NV 89123 702.708.2222

22. Sahara Wellness 420sahara.com 420 E Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.478.5533 23. Shango Las Vegas goshango.com 4380 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, NV 89121 702.444.4824 24. ShowGrow showgrowlv.com 4850 S Fort Apache Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89147 702.227.0511 25. Silver Sage Wellness sswlv.com 4626 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.802.3757 26. The Apothecary Shoppe theapothecaryshoppe.com 4240 W Flamingo Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.740.4372

31a. Thrive Cannabis Markeplace thrivenevada.com 2755 W Cheyenne Ave Ste #103 North Las Vegas, NV 89032 702.776.4144 31b.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 1112 S Commerce St. Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.776.4144 32. Top Notch THC topnotchthc.com 5630 Stephanie St Las Vegas, NV 89122 702.418.0420 33. Zen Leaf zenleafvegas.com 9120 W Post Rd Ste #103 Las Vegas, NV 89148 702.462.6706

27. The Clinic theclinicnevada.com 4310 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.447.1250

C O N C E N T R AT E S

For medical or adult use by adults 21 years of age and older. Distributed in compliance with NRS 453A and NAC 453A

Cannabiotix products are sold here

PROFILE

DB Labs Becomes First ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accredited Lab in Las Vegas

DB Labs, a cannabis-testing laboratory, has become the first and only ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited marijuana-analysis lab in Las Vegas. Consumers might be asking themselves, so what does that mean for me? ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation is a standard used by testing and calibration labs, accreditation is required by most countries. Outside of the United States, calibration and test results will not be accepted from unaccredited labs. Within the United States, having the accreditation raises the bar for testing standards and assures customers that their products have been rigorously tested to ensure the safety and health of users. Unaccredited labs would be wise to follow suit, because ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation could become compulsory soon. Currently, one other lab in Nevada has the accreditation – 374 Labs – but no others laboratories in Vegas have received a certification. Susan Bunce, President at DB Labs, says, “As the first cannabistesting laboratory in Nevada, DB Labs has always taken patient safety very seriously and has always tried to raise the bar. Now, being the first lab in Las Vegas to receive the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation, we are setting the standard and want to set a good

elevatenv.com | industry connect | august

example for other labs that can provide this high level of testing for users.” Bunce continued, “The world of cannabis testing is often compared to the Wild West: each lab uses state regulations to set their own standards, but this leaves a lot of room for subjective interpretations and leniency. The accreditation removes the ambiguity and guarantees a consistent level of testing to users. We are proud to be a part of that.” In Nevada, cannabis labs are required to test for certain contaminates like pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvent, and microbials. However, these requirements do not list the same rigorous standards the accreditation requires. Bunce stated, “Eventually Nevada’s new, recreational users will realize that their cannabis contains more than the advertised THC number, and that it could contain harmful molds or other contaminates. There is so much more to cannabis that users need to be aware of, including the potential benefits of different strains.” "We at DB Labs are proud to become the first cannabis testing facility in Southern Nevada to accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. It's dope

DBLABSLV.COM

to see that all the long hours, late nights and months of hardwork are paying off and being recognized," stated Glen Marquez laboratory manager for DB Labs. DB Labs recommends that patients ask their local bud-tender at a dispensary which strain will offer the best benefits for their needs, such as appetite suppressant or enhancement, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, or other alternatives. Those who are new to cannabis use are encouraged to pick up a DB Labs brochure from their local dispensary titled “Consumer Guide to Cannabis.” DB Labs prepared this brochure to educate users on potential benefits and drawbacks of different strains, as well as potential deleterious ingredients in untested cannabis. Dr. Ben Chew, the new regional lab manager for DB Labs, joined the team in anticipation of the increased demand for recreational marijuana. “I wanted to ensure quality cannabis for users of DB Labs products, because untested or badly tested cannabis can have serious negative effects for users. Although medical patients are more fragile and require more rigorously tested marijuana, DB Labs provides that same level of testing to recreational users, too. DB Labs sought the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation as a guarantee to our users that our products are the gold standard in cannabis.” Standardization in testing means that users can expect the same level of high from the same amount of product consistently. For those who have felt the overwhelming sensation of consuming too much of an edible, this assurance will be a huge relief. Additionally, for consumers who have ingested cannabis and felt ripped-off by the underwhelming effects of a product that claims to have a high THC number, this standardization will provide comfort that their investment is fair. Kelly Zaugg, laboratory manager, stated, "now that cannabis cultivators and production facilities, as well as medical marijuana patients have an accredited laboratory to partner with, they can be confident that the results from DB Labs are the most accurate and reliable. We are happy to show our continued commitment in providing high quality service that the community can depend on." Dr. Chew stated, “I’m proud to work for a lab that doesn’t sell test results. Our clients know that they will receive rigorous testing and results that are accurate. In other states labs have been accused of THC inflation, passing cannabis that is below standard, and other issues: at DB Labs, our accreditation puts users’ minds at ease, because they know their cannabis is safe.” For more information about ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation, please contact (702) 728-5180. For more information about DB Labs, email Test@DBLabsLV.com.

august | industry connect | elevatenv.com 51

Elevating the Conversation

Lezli Engelking, founder of FOCUS

rawing from her two decades of professional experience across the pharmaceutical, mental health, non-profit, and cannabis industries, Lezli Engelking founded FOCUS, Foundation of Cannabis Unified Standards. After 12 years with Eli Lilly and as executive director of the first chain of vertically integrated cannabis operations in Arizona, Engelking’s experience in the highlyregulated pharmaceutical industry and the unregulated cannabis industry led her to develop a third-party validated, cannabis specific standards company.

WHY DID YOU START FOCUS? I could see a lot of the problems with not having a set of standards to follow as a business owner. It’s a hard thing, you come from wherever your background is and you end up with an [MME] license and immediately you are not just a business owner, you are a farmer, a HR manager, a brand marketing director, an accountant, an attorney -- you have got so many different responsibilities of the business and it’s really difficult to navigate. In any another industry like pharma or food, there are guidelines to follow and the reason I started FOCUS was because public health and consumer safety are my priorities. I wanted to give businesses some guidance on that. WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT CANNABIS? The biggest surprise to me was that there were no quality and safety standards like there are in other industries. My background is in compliance and to find out this entire industry exists on a global level as well across the U.S. and there were no quality and safety measures behind it -- that is crazy. And that was the reason for starting FOCUS. How is it that something that is called medicine, that people are using who have compromised immune systems, does not have any of the controls for quality and safety in place and still be called a medicine? HOW MANY CANNABIS COMPANIES HAVE FOCUS CERTIFICATION? Right now, none have finished the process but there are 14 companies going through it. If you decide to go through certification with FOCUS or any other party, it can’t happen overnight because it literally addresses every aspect of your business from top to bottom, from HR policies to product specifications. Everything we do is designed to hold hands with the business and make sure we are not just handing them a bunch of standards or SOPs. We really want to make sure its integrated into the day-to-day activities of the business. When a state audit is conducted they give you two weeks’ notice and it’s sort of a scramble at the facility

elevatenv.com | august

to make sure they have all of their documentation and all of their ducks in a row. Our goal is to make sure no matter what, a FOCUS-certified client could be inspected for a drop-in audit and never have a problem. DO YOU THINK A FEDERALLY REGULATED ENVIRONMENT IS THE RIGHT STEP FORWARD FOR THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? Standards in general in any industry are the baseline and the international language for trade. They are the reason why our bankcards work in every bank machine around the world even if it’s in a different county and a different language. There is a reason why import and export can happen. If you look at Canada, Holland, Israel and all these other countries, they are already exporting and importing and creating alignments in other countries. The only way to do that is prove that your product was produced in a manner that was appropriate, safe, and effective and that you have got a recall process in place so that if something were to go wrong, you could pinpoint the problem and find out why and who was effected by it. I definitely think a globally harmonized standard is the best thing for this industry. HOW HAVE YOU SHIFTED THE PARADIGM IN THE CANNABIS SECTOR? By getting this industry to think about standards in the first place. I started talking about the difference between standards, regulations, laws and what standard-based regulation looks like. I certainly wouldn’t take credit for it all happening because of me. The development and growth in the industry and all the problems we have seen with the recalls has definitely expedited that understanding and created a demand and need for it. I think that’s probably the biggest thing I have been able to contribute, changing some thinking around that. We are in a really good position to change some of that dialogue and education is the key to doing that. To read our entire interview with Lezli Engelking, visit elevatenv. com/Elevating_the_Conversation.

august | elevatenv.com 53

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