Elevate December the gift if Nipton by Elevate Nevada Magazine

DECEMBER 2017

THE GIFT NIPTON:

AMERICA’S FIRST CANNACOPIA

A DOG’S TALE OF COSMIC MUFFIN BONES FROM PRACTICAL TO MAGICAL Unique gifting ideas for the cannabis consumer on your holiday list

888-988-0899 @AcrossIntl

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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 and Photographers: Justin Alexander, Deborah Costella, Deanna Rilling, Mike Rosati Media Consultant: Mark Damkroeger, mark@elevatenv.com

ELEVATION PUBLISHING LLC Chief Financial Officer Cassandra Lupo

FINE THE AGENCY Partner Kelli Maruca, kelli@finetheagency.com

Graphic Designer James Nigbur, james@finetheagency.com

Account Coordinator Kimberly Chang, kim@finetheagency.com elevate nevada magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors, false data or omissions. elevate nevada assumes no responsibility for any claims or representations contained in this publication or in any advertisement. elevate nevada magazine does not encourage the illegal use of any of the products or advertisements within. Reproduction in whole or in part strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. To subscribe to elevate nevada, visit elevatenv.com/subscribe/. 7120 Rafael Ridge Way, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Phone: 702.737.8464 | Email: info@elevatenv.com

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The last year has passed in a whirl. It seems like it was just last week, not last year, that we were debating the pros and cons of Question #2 with our fellow residents and wondering if recreational marijuana would come to fruition. Fast forward a year later and not only did the voters of Nevada pass it by 54 percent, but in their typical can-do style, state officials figured out how to effectively and efficiently launch Nevada’s entire adultuse program in a harried timeline of a mere six months. On July 1st Nevada became the first of the four states that voted recreational cannabis in during the November 2016 elections to get its adult-use program up and running. Massachusetts and Maine also approved recreational marijuana but are still working on regulatory logistics. California also said yes to recreational marijuana last year and is nipping at Nevada’s buds and probably some of the Silver State’s market share too. Not only will Californians be celebrating the flipping of the calendar to a new year on December 31, but peeps of the Golden State will also see recreational dispensaries open at the stroke of midnight. I am guessing that will be a legendary party of the most epic proportions since medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996 and has some 500,000 patients that make for a solid base. Oh, and it’s California. The cannabis landscape has changed dramatically in that the nearly 3 million residents of Nevada now have access to legal recreational cannabis as do the 42 million tourists who visit Las Vegas every year. It’s been fascinating to talk to people who aren’t in the industry. When I am out and about people I speak

with still can’t believe that if they are over 21 they can walk freely into a dispensary and buy a preroll or jar of cannabis for a little Saturday night fun or even pick up a cannabisbased topical cream or salve for aches and pains. With more than 50 dispensaries in Nevada you should, at the very least, stop in and check one out. Or consider getting the cannabis lover in your life a holiday treat. elevate product reviewer Justin Alexander outlines some great gift-giving ideas on page 6 in his review “Making Your List and Checking It Twice.” Although there have been largescale changes regarding cannabis use, in many ways it hasn’t changed that much at all. Even though residents and tourists can legally use cannabis, unless they are on private property, they have no place to partake in it. American Green recognized the trepidation of many state and county jurisdictions and decided to nip that in the bud, so to speak, and bought their own town. The publicly-traded cannabis company’s purchase of Nipton, a tiny town only 45 minutes from Las Vegas, located in San Bernardino County, California will prove yet another interesting experiment in the cannabis space. elevate visited the quaint little burg several times this fall so you could read all about enchanting Nipton in our story on page 17. In closing, don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. Take a moment and revel in the precious memories and truly enjoy your loved ones. Peace be with you. With an open mind,

CARL

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CONTENTS gu

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ow that Nevada’s dispensaries are accessible to everyone over 21, not just those who have medical marijuana patient cards, you can stop in and buy a treat for your favorite cannasseur this holiday season. And there’s most definitely something for everyone on your list. For the beauty maven who loves her potions and elixirs, consider cannabis-based topical creams, lotions, salves, or lip balms. For the foodie, pick up some infused goodies such as honey, dried fruit, olive oil or even a sweet treat of gummies, cookies or chocolate bars. As for the cannabis lover, there’s no end of choices from flower and pre-rolls to vape pens and concentrates. Just find out if they prefer an indica or sativa. If you aren’t sure, a hybrid is always a safe bet. To follow are some selections from the Nevada marketplace that will give you a general idea of what you will find as you begin your hunt for the perfect holiday gift.

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STACKED DECK LIMITED EDITION PRE-ROLLS BY REDWOOD For the classic smoker on your list, you will ace gift giving this year with Stacked Deck pre-rolls from Redwood. For those who love the simplicity of sparking one up, go all in with Redwood’s Stacked Deck pre-rolls, which come in packaging that resembles a deck of cards. Different strains are available as well as mix packs for a full house of flavor, so it comes as no surprise that this is a top gift item for cannabis lovers during holiday 2017. The novel and clever presentation will bring a smile to the receiver’s face before it is even cracked open. Once this premium bud is lit up, the good times continue to roll back to whatever era you fancy. If you are over 50 you will appreciate the humor and nostalgia, if you are younger, embrace the vintage, retro vibes of this unique offering.

KYND CANNABIS COMPANY’S PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE Like eggnog and gingerbread cookies, the taste of peppermint is a holiday staple. As is chocolate, which always makes a great gift especially when you add THC oil into the mix making for a happy ho-ho-ho holiday indeed. Kynd Peppermint Chocolates—a seasonal offering—come in a convenient dosing pack of four squares with 11.1mg THC per square. “We don’t doubt it’s going to take the market by storm,” says Kynd’s chief operating officer Stacy Castillo of this latest release, which is a product of Kynd’s collaboration with a local chocolatier that started in 2016. Dark chocolate in conjunction with crunchy peppermint candy combine for a taste that is as mellow as the relaxing high, but without couchlock. Kynd’s peppermint chocolates are so tasty it might be hard to eat just one, but remember to start slow as the effects come on gradually and last longer than smoking.

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KABUNKY KREME

VertEdibles.com

SIMPLE SIMPLE THINGS THINGS

are happy things.. things Organic, freeze-dried berries whisk you away to sunny fields, while refined cannabis oil brings you in for the softest of landings. Let our rendition of this creamy, berrylicious American favorite take you to where life is sweet and easy.

strawberry shortcake Dessert with heart.

Look for VERT edibles at your favorite dispensary. Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 of age and older.

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Body creams make great stocking stuffers for everyone on your list since they have so many applications. Made with extracted cannabis lipids, it is best to only use small amounts of Kabunky Kreme during each application as it is high in THC unlike many of the CBD-rich creams on the market. Kabunky Kreme has 763mg of THC per bottle and 310mg of CBD. While Kabunky does not call out particular genetics that go into this delightfully effective elixir—the biproducts from various plants are used for healing to create a soothing effect. It has a wide array of uses and applications and is recommended for burns, cuts, muscle aches, back pain, arthritis and more, as well as for those who suffer from lower back pain.

VERT’S RED VELVET COOKIE SQUARE Designed to be gifted without wrapping because of its pleasing packaging, Vert wants to change the way people view cannabis-infused foods. “As a Las Vegas company, edible brand presentation and flavor are extremely important to us,” says Margaux Hansberry, Vert account executive. “Many people tend to shy away from edibles due to a negative experience they may have had from a home baked marijuana brownie back in the day. We set out to redefine that experience with a homogenized edible made for the consumer to both feed their mind and savor the flavor.” Made with Chunky Diesel oil—Organa Labs certified triple refined oil with amazing taste and potency—the Red Velvet Cookie Square has 8mg of CBG, or cannabigerol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. “The genetic parents are Deep Chunk and Sour Diesel, which account for the high amount of CBG because the latter is the parent for several strains that characteristically help relieve temple pressure such as Headband and Sour Kush, also an effect of CBG,” Hansberry says, who notes the presence of CBG is good for Glaucoma sufferers as it decreases ocular pressure. If you’ve got someone on your list who could use a good night’s sleep, the Red Velvet Cookie Square will delight insomniacs. It is also perfect for those who love this trendy

holiday flavor. Chef Melissa Parks, who creates all the recipes, is an expert at masking any cannabis taste. “Melissa has taken into account every variable that could potentially affect cannabinoid/terpene burnoff rates and consistent dosages in our products,” Hansberry says.

BEST

DISPENSARY BRONZE

CANNABIOTIX’S MANDARIN MINT FLOWER While edibles make a merry addition to a gift basket during the holidays, don’t underestimate the happiness a jar of premium flower can also bring at this time of year. Guaranteed you will be on the top of everyone’s party invite list when it gets around that you are gifting strains of Cannabiotix. The in-house breed of Orange Crush and Thin Mint Cookies, Mandarin Mint sounds as refreshing as the way it smokes. A potent indica-leaning hybrid, both of its parents are award winners. At 24 to 27 percent THC, Mandarin Mint is recommended for those with chronic pain, loss of appetite and anxiety. It will also relieve those holiday party hangovers and put you out for the night for much needed R&R. The first thing that you will notice is its frosty appearance (like the snowman himself!), with crystal covered flowers and dense pods filled with bursts of violet and orange. The next powerful characteristic is the smell: think along the lines of a pungent cheese platter with candied nuts. These are all the things you will fall in love with even before you smoke its smoothness. Make sure whoever you gift this to likes to share.

EVERGREEN ORGANIX COOKIES, THE+SOURCE Evergreen Organix has introduced their holiday-inspired line of cookies including their cookie of the month, pumpkin pecan toffee (9.65 THC/2.64 CBG). With a texture that is gooey and crumbly, these soft, fresh, baked cannabis-infused cookies are individually packaged and make a great gift for the edible lover on your gifting list. Other flavors from Evergreen carried by The+Source include snickerdoodle, peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie, and, of course, brownies. A great present to both give and receive, they are low in dosage and work for

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just about everyone, including newbies. To control potency while at the same time sharing the love, Evergreen’s cookies can also be cut into fractions. Evergreen lists the strain they use so it is never a “take a bite and wait and see” process—indica, sativa or hybrid effects are guaranteed.

VertEdibles.com

FROM THE HEART.

for the soul.

Our Red Velvet bar is pure soulful goodness. A traditional, vibrant balance of sweet cake, salty cream cheese frosting and antioxidant-rich cocoa— along with our specially refined cannabis oil—is like dining on pure kindness.

TIKUN OLAM TOPICAL CREAM Creams offer an easy, user-friendly way to find relief from pain. Cannabis-infused topicals are completely nonthreatening because, in most cases, they are CBD (cannabidiol) dominant. Tikun Olam not only has a CBD-rich cream, but has also developed three additional topicals using other cannabinoids geared toward specific patient needs. “Each of the Tikun creams are made with extracts from their namesake plant,” explains Chris Kelly, Tikun’s head of operations for Nevada. “Alaska is our THC cream that’s great for pain relief, Midnight works for pain and inflammation, and Avidekel is a CBD cream used mostly for inflammation.” According to Kelly, arthritis sufferers can rub cannabisinfused cream onto their hands and in about 3 to 10 minutes their pain and soreness could be gone. Same goes for those patients with psoriasis. Then there are just good ole aches and pains due to aging that topicals help with. “In my 45 years I have been pretty hard on my body, from old Army injuries to the ones that come from fueling my weekend adrenaline addiction,” explains Kelly. “My personal goto is the Midnight. After a paintball tournament, day of snowboarding, or an intense gym workout, it is literally a game-changer for me. We only get so many days to play and when your body is feeling your weekend decisions and you need to get back to work, Midnight Cream comes to the rescue.” Some of the best features of Tikun’s topical creams are that they have no oily residue or unpleasant smell—its odor is neutral and every whiff is calmingly fresh. But the greatest testament is, of course, in the jar.

red velvet

The food of kindness. Look for VERT edibles at your favorite dispensary. Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 of age and older.

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KIVA’S BLACKBERRY DARK CHOCOLATE BAR Tired of bringing a bottle of wine or champagne as your signature holiday-party host present? Given individually or added to a basket full of infused goodies, Kiva Confections’ artisanal chocolate products made from premium-grade cannabis extract make a great hostess gift. Cannasseurs love them and so do beginners because of the rich taste with very little weed flavor.

“Kiva Bars will be especially appreciated by anyone who can benefit from cannabis' calming, relaxing and uplifting properties,” says Christie Strong, KIVA's marketing communications manager. “In the [two-anda-half years I have worked for the company I’ve had] time try every flavor of Kiva Bars. I really appreciate the consistency of our products because it means that there is a reliability to the experience I'm going to have on them. I know my dose for a night out with my friends, and I know my dose for a cozy night on the couch with my husband watching Netflix. Consistency takes all the guesswork out and puts me in control of my experience. I'm also a bit of a dark chocolate addict—and I think our bars taste as good as any unmedicated treats out there.” Segmented to suit a variety of tolerance levels, there are six flavors available in Nevada in both milk and dark chocolate measuring almost 100mg of THC per bar. (Always start at a 5mg dose and wait two hours before consuming more.) Bars have a combination of sativa and indica strains and produce a variety of effects from body highs to head highs, all focused on relaxation. Effects will start to happen anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour and their intensity varies from person to person.

MEDIZIN’S CHLOE FLOWER “Many people gift this strain because they are so excited about its effects and consistent quality of having a great mix of terpenes and mid- to high 20s in THC,” says Dave Farris, general manager of Medizin, of the Chloe strain. Perfect for both indica and sativa lovers, Chloe has hybrid qualities that make it appealing across the board. “Many people who smoke only indicas find solace in Chloe due to its calm sativa buzz and pain relief,” Farris says. “Even though this strain leans sativa-dominant, it possesses potency and physical sedation that can lull the most experienced person to sleep with continued consumption. Chloe is also a welcome companion for patients seeking relief from a wide variety of ailments, including loss of appetite and chronic pain.”

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S TAY G O L D E N .

This flower smokes smooth and engulfs with the same mellow luster after consumption. Following a long day of work, it will erase every trouble and worry without knocking you out as well as produce a range of euphoric and creative thoughts at 26.70 percent THC, .113 percent CBD, and .511 percent CBN. It’s pleasant and even all the way around, kind of like the first day of your holiday vacation.

CITY TREES CALM DISPOSABLE VAPE PEN

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For those searching for calming relief from the stress the holidays bring with them, a disposable CBD vape pen is the perfect call. Just the right amount of CBD isolated from Colorado grown hemp and pure THC distillate come together in a slim-lined vape that doesn’t require a button or any accessories to enjoy. “Our Calm vape pens are recommended for those looking to take the edge off,” says Don Decatur, City Trees' director of operations. “The 1:1 THC/CBD ratio ensures a level ride. This is one of the few vape devices that is 100 percent cannabinoids. Without cutting agents our vape pens taste amazing and offer plenty of bang for your buck.” The cherry-flavored taste of this vape is smooth and the high is light and mellow, perfect for any time of the day or night. This product truly shows off the magic of a CBD/THC equal pairing.

FLEUR’S WHITE GHANI INDICA A cross between The White and Afghani, White Ghani has Frosty the Snowman written all over it: fresh, frosty and fun. Impress the cannasseur in your life with White Ghani for both its potency and creativity. This is a feel-good strain, producing a euphoric, happy mood as jolly as Kris Kringle himself at 13.89 percent D9-THC and .05 percent CBD. It is clean and even burning. The odor is also mellow so it works well for those times when you need to be discreet. A low to medium potency, White Ghani has a delicious earthy taste to complete its merry buzz. In addition to White Ghani, Fleur, an independent flower brand cultivated under Greenlife Production methods, has three other strains in its line -- Tangie, Fire Angel, and Girl Scout Cookie -- which combine to make the perfect smile-inducing gift set this holiday season.

A very Happy Holiday and New Year to all! We are thankful to our many marijuana business clients for their trust in our firm and allowing us the opportunity to be a part of their success this year. ASHCRAFT & BARR | LLP has over 35 years combined experience in highly-regulated industries, including marijuana, liquor, and gaming. Our partners are AV PreeminentÂŽ rated by Martindale-Hubble for the highest level of professional excellence and ethics. Call us at (702) 631-7555 for a free consultation about your business.

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www.AshcraftBarr.com

FROM PRACTICAL TO MAGICAL

Unique gifting ideas for the cannabis consumer on your holiday list By Deanna Rilling 1

FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS Do you have family or friends who are a big fan of smoking flower, but their living situation has put the quash on the aroma of beautiful buds? For example, do they live in an apartment with neighbors that have the nose of a bloodhound who keep complaining to management? The SmokeBuddy air filter removes the offending odor upon exhale to allow the user to smoke anywhere they want and eliminates second-hand smoke for a product that’s good for an estimated 300 uses or more. Plus, SmokeBuddy is giving back with a custom Las Vegas design and $10 from every $19.95 sale will go to the Las Vegas Victim’s Fund to support those affected by the October 1 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. SmokeBuddy also comes with a keychain and LED light and travel cap. www.smokebuddy.com

ROSÉ ALL DAY For the discerning cannabis connoisseur everything is coming up roses. Bloom Farms’ vape pen is styled entirely in a rose gold finish, from its signature metal mouthpiece to its newly designed battery, this high-gloss fashion accessory emphasizes both form and function. The vape pen’s sleek batteries are outfitted with new leaf-shaped LEDs and an updated stylus. The rose gold vapor pen comes pre-loaded with 500 milligrams of 100% pure cannabis oil, free of petroleumbased solvents and blended with all-natural cannabis-derived terpenes available in Bloom Farms’ Anytime (hybrid) blend -- the perfect combination to inspire relaxation, creativity and focus. getbloomfarms.com/rosegold

PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE... Tired of searching for a spare paper clip, bobby pin or other pointy object to clean out a pipe? Gift the cannabis lover in your life with one of our favorite accessories, the Debowler spikey ashtray. This handy device combines a standard ashtray with a built-in poker in the center for easily cleaning out a pipe’s bowl while also collecting the ashes. Options range from an inexpensive plastic Debowler at ($4.95) to the sturdier glass option ($19.96), a groovy UV glass variation ($24.95) and the ultimate eye-catching Royal Glass Debowler with beautiful designs of pressure dots or spirals in a variety of colors for $59.95 made upstate in Reno. Every pipe smoker needs at least one of these in their lives. http://stores.debowler.com

KEEPING IT COVERT The great festival or concert conundrum: What’s the best way to bring a few joints with you to enhance the experience without hiding them near your nether region? The iHit phone case has solved that quandary with a stash spot that fits discreetly on the back of an iPhone and looks like an extended battery pack, but actually holds five pre-rolls in a tight-locking, odor-shielding tray. The stash spot can also double as a rolling tray, plus you can use the iHit for storing other things like money and more. Unfortunately, it’s only available for iPhone models 6, 6/7+ and 7 right now ($19.99-$29.99), but we’re hoping more phone models and varieties are on the way. theihit.com

BECAUSE SHE’S ARTSY For the crafty cannabis consumer in your life, why not get creative with painting something special for that special someone, or let them channel their inner artist? With Paint Your Own Bong ($40), a standard-shaped bong comes with acrylic paints with which to go wild. Once the design is finished, it can be baked in a kiln at a local pottery studio (the company can speak to the studio for you to explain what is needed), or ship it back to Paint Your Own Bong. They’ll be happy to fire it for you and then send it back to ensure your design stays beautiful for years to come—or at least until the cat knocks it off the table. Also available are a variety of cute animal figurine roach banks you can also paint yourself for $25. paintyourownbong.com

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Hotel Nipton now serves as a bed and breakfast.

THE

Magical, Mystical

Nipton became a railway town in 1905.

TOWN OF NIPTON

DREAMING OF A CANNATOPIA THAT’S OFF THE GRID AND REVELING IN ITS OWN BRAND OF AMERICAN GREEN By Beth Schwartz

Photography by Mike Rosati

merican Green has hit the lottery. Literally. The publicly-traded cannabis company purchased the town of Nipton, an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California, just 10 minutes from Primm, Nevada, in August for $5 million. As one of the closest California locations where Nevadans can purchase lottery tickets, not only does this nip of a town house a lotto stop inside its Trading Post, it is also being positioned to become the country’s first energy-independent, cannabis-friendly hospitality destination. It’s serendipitous timing, too, which surely was not lost on American Green. California becomes a recreationally legal marijuana state on January 1st. With the Nipton exit located just two minutes from Nevada’s border and approximately an hour from Las Vegas, cannabists and tourists have a new place to hike, bike, explore, and enjoy the wonders of weed in a charming Old West setting surrounded by giant eucalyptus trees, fragrant oleander bushes, and an abundance of Joshua trees.

Four eco-cabins are available for lodging.

The town’s trading post features a co-op market and a lotto stop.

december | elevatenv.com 17 Nipton’s old schoolhouse will be transformed into a yoga center.

In 1910 Nipton’s railway line was merged into the Union Pacific Railroad.

With over 120 acres of land for development that sit at the northeast entrance to the Mojave National Preserve, American Green will eventually be transforming Nipton into a base for potentially producing various cannabis-based products as well as housing licensed cultivation, edible and extraction facilities. As various California jurisdictions begin the process of regulating recreational cannabis use next month, American Green will be busy turning Nipton into a hospitality hub for those who want to experience their own brand of American green.

“We just happen to say welcome,” explained American Green’s Stephen Shearin, general manager for the Nipton project, of the tiny town’s guests being able to use cannabis on private property. “There’s not many towns where you can walk through and people invite you into a private area and say you are free to recreate or medicate as you see fit.” Being a part of this century’s green rush is a concept Nipton is not unfamiliar with. Having been a mining town at the turn of the last century, Nipton is well positioned

dedic ation to deliciousness

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elevatenv.com | december

to be part of the next gold rush. “The cannabis revolution that’s going on here in the U.S. has the power to completely revitalize communities in the same way gold did during the 19th century,” said David Gwyther, chairman and president of American Green.

THE BIRTH OF A RAILWAY TOWN Modern day Nipton hasn’t transformed all that much from its origins as a sleepy desert town out among the Joshua trees, desert tortoises, and inky-black night skies. On January 1, 1900, a gold seeker from Pennsylvania named S.D. Karns staked, perhaps, the earliest claim in the area, calling it Nippeno, according to the National Park Service. Miners took up residence at the crossroads, which became known as Nippeno Camp, following a nearby discovery of gold. Evolving into a railway town, Nipton was founded on February 9, 1905, with the coming of the first train on the newly constructed San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. Nevada Senator William Clark was determined to connect the cities by rail, which made the community relevant as supplies arrived and it became a cattle-loading station for several local ranches shipping livestock to Salt Lake and Los Angeles. The tiny town and depot also supplied numerous mines

in the area, becoming a social center for the region’s sparse population. In 1910, the line was merged into the Union Pacific Railroad and the name changed from Nippeno to Nipton, according to the National Park Service. Soon, the town boasted a railroad station, hotel, and stagecoach stop. English immigrant Harry Trehearne shepherded the town’s development through the 1940s. After his death and the closing of the railway station, the town went into decades of decline and the railway station was abandoned in the 1950s.

A PART OF HOLLYWOOD LORE

Clara Bow at Walking Box Ranch.

Although the town looks more like the kind of place “Gunsmoke’s” Miss Kitty would have frequented, it was actually well before her time that Nipton found itself basking in Hollywood’s limelight. One of Hotel Nipton’s frequent guests during the late ‘20s and ‘30s, according to the National Park Service, was famed “It”

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girl Clara Bow of the silent film era. Bow was dubbed "The 'It' Girl" after her turn as Betty Lou Spence, a poor shop girl who conquers the heart of her employer Cyrus Waltham (Antonio Moreno), in Paramount’s 1927 “It” film. Bow and her husband, Western movie star Rex Bell, bought Walking Box Ranch, which is just up the road from Nipton, as a retreat from the pressures of Hollywood, living there after marrying in December 1931. Calling Walking Box Ranch her "desert paradise," Bow retired from acting and became a Nevada rancher and she and Bell, who went on to become the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, raised two sons.

VISIONS OF ECO-GRANDEUR In the 1950s, Nipton attracted the interest of Los Angelesbased geologist Gerald Freeman who was investing in gold mines in the area. “I always felt comfortable in the desert where I had a lot of space. …Los Angeles was becoming too costly and too crowded,” Freeman told the Las Vegas ReviewJournal in January 2016 of his decision to buy the town in 1984. A 2011 Los Angeles Times article reported Freeman paid $200,000 for Nipton. Endeavoring to create a desert ecotopia, Freeman and

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his wife, Roxanne Lang, told the LVRJ they invested more than $1 million dollars in the property over the years. They added environmentally-friendly amenities that include a photovoltaic solar array that provides the town with nearly half its power, four ecolodge tented cabins, and a recreational vehicle park. One of the most valuable natural amenities that came with the place includes access to the sweet waters of the Pleistocene-era lake below its surface. Hoping to build everything necessary for a selfsustaining community, Freeman told Sunset magazine during an interview published earlier this year, “I’d like to move forward in the direction I’m going. That heritage, that legacy, that thrust that began with the first settlers.” Unfortunately, Freeman passed away last year and never got to see his dream come to fruition.

BLAZE, LAZE & GAZE Although gone in body, the spirit of Freeman’s dream lives on with American Green’s purchase of the town this past summer. “We are trying to keep that ecofriendly side. We really want to figure out how to do that. Our goal is to be self-sufficient in a year,” explains Freddie Wyatt, president of Munch & Company, American Green’s hospitality

partner. “Everything we can use within the hemp space will be on property such as hempcrete, we are planning to use it throughout the property.” Munch & Company have plenty of space and opportunity to continue as an ecotopia. At this point the town consists of a general store/trading post, 44-seat saloon called the Whistlestop Cafe, 35-slot RV park, campgrounds, four one-bedroom eco cabins with woodstoves and swamp coolers, a schoolhouse, a greenhouse that has been transitioned into a bathhouse for campers, and two small homes. Over the last few months, Wyatt and his team have refreshed existing buildings by installing new floors and replaced décor materials. They have also reconfigured the general store into a co-op market and refurbished the fiveroom Hotel Nipton, which was built between 1904 and 1910 in a Mexican Territorial style, and now operates as a bed and breakfast that he calls the “Marriott of marijuana.” Refurbishment of the tiny town is just phase one. Citing Mexico’s Zen destination of Tulum as a model, Nipton’s developers have big plans for phase two of the desert cannatopia. Working off a three-year timeline, coming attractions include an observation deck, Serenity health

and wellness spa, Surveyor martini bar, Pioneer whiskey bar, Nomad hookah lounge, art sculpture park and gallery, and conversion of the 3,000-square-foot schoolhouse into a community center for yoga. Also, seven ponds, some with CBD-infused water, will be created that feed off the sweet water aquifer on the property. Wyatt also mentioned even higher visions such as building a planetarium. “Our dreams are to build an event center that holds 3,000 to 5,000 people under the stars. I want to do something like the Pink Floyd laser show at Griffith Park’s Planetarium. We could do one of those off the mountains, shoot a laser and have it hit the mountains. Our best asset is that we have this amazing valley of nature,” Wyatt said. “We want to do CBD massage, canna-yoga, mountain biking tours...there’s so many different aspects of what we want to put our arms around. We want to do art curation in a largescale space but don’t want to affect the view.” But, he cautions, “This really needs to be organic, we can’t throw a party for 5,000 people because we don’t know what we would do with 5,000 people. This is a marathon not a sprint.” A marathon with a jackpot at the finish line.

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A Dog’s Tale ...and the dog was happy to teach us that in giving we receive By Deborah L. Costella

“The Giving Tree” is a children’s story written by Shel Silverstein. A tale of unconditional love demonstrating, in simple yet beautiful prose, how pain, sorrow and joy are part and parcel of the give and take pendulum. It’s about the relationship between an apple tree and her beloved “Boy,” a relationship akin to that of dogs and those who love and care for them. For dogs, I have learned, are much like giving trees.

is mistreatment must have been particularly brutal during feedings, as it took years for him to eat from his food while anyone was present. He drank water in front of the humans, but never would he eat so much as a morsel if anyone was standing nearby. He quickly learned to fill up on water whenever it was available. It was a particularly nice spring day, a day when hummingbirds were sharing with one another at the feeders, a day when mother quails proudly strutted about the yard showing off their changelings, a day that offered promise and hope. A day so nice in fact, this young and not-so-carefree animal could no longer stand the confinement of his cage. He wanted out. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been allowed out of his small metal housing to run, jump or play. He just lay, head resting on crossed front paws, watching the world pass by. Always confused and sad, for no matter how hard he tried to keep the mean man and meaner lady happy, they were always angry with him. He was always in trouble. Today, he made his decision. After hours of crying, whining, biting and chewing, he finally managed to somehow break the latch and found himself standing on the outside of the cage, looking in. His crud-caked water bowl, dry as ever, offered nothing. No kibble was left in the turned over and cracked food bowl. Only bits and pieces scattered in the dirt, serving as a buffet for the ants. And his blanket? Staring at the one thing that gave him comfort after the beatings while providing companionship during the long lonely hours in his cage, well, dragging the blanket out just meant dragging the memories it held around with him. The dog backed away a few steps then looked around, casing the expansive yard he was rarely permitted to enjoy. A last-minute change of mind and a mad dash back to the cage he grabbed his torn and tattered blanket. Holding it tightly in his teeth, he frantically made his way out of the yard through a small hole under the fence. He was out.

december | elevatenv.com 23

Not knowing which direction would best secure his freedom, the dog ran as fast as his skinny and weakened legs could carry him, all the while, clenching his blankie between his teeth as though it were a shield. The barking and yelping of other nearby dogs caused only a momentary pause. Their frantic barking sounded as though they were yelling at him to keep going, to be the one dog to save himself thereby, saving them all. Unsure of his surroundings but instinctively knowing he had to get as far away from the old house as possible, he didn’t waiver. He was incredibly thirsty, but he had long ago learned to deal with thirst that felt like pine needles on his tongue and down his throat. He courageously marched on unfettered by discomfort. Finding himself on a street clear of muted colored cars and near-flat tires and far softer, greener lawns, he felt safer. This caused him to slow his gait so to better enjoy his surroundings. “Look!” shouted a voice from a passing car. As the car reduced its speed, the frightened dog could hear a child through the open window. “Look, it’s a puppy carrying his own blanket!” “He’s so cute,” said another, higher pitched voice. “It doesn’t look like he’s wearing a collar!” said the first voice again. “Look at how skinny he is, poor little thing,” murmured yet another voice. Instead of running from the now stopped car, the dog stood, curious and innocent. Then, the back door opened, next thing he knew he had been picked up by a child and pulled into the car. The trembling puppy sat on the lap of the first voice as the higher pitched voice softly stroked him behind the ears. The lady in the front seat turned and passed back bits of a partially eaten ham and cheese sandwich. As hungry as he was, the puppy didn’t dare take a bite. Carefully and cautiously the boy, his sister, and their parents taught Franklin, as they dubbed him, to sit, wait, and how to walk on a leash. There was food at the same time each day and lots of water. Though food was abundant in this home and was without punishment, Franklin still consumed far more water than food. He played with the family regularly, was taken on walks every morning, and slept on a clean pillow big enough to give a Great Dane cozy-comfort. And the trees, so many giving trees. Franklin loved trees and they were everywhere in this new yard. There were trees that provided shade, trees that dropped apples and figs for Franklin and the children to eat and enjoy. Trees that sent big, crunchy leaves, gently falling to the grassy ground as gifts for Franklin and the children to play in. Big, beautiful giving trees. (continued on page 26)

elevatenv.com | december

COSMIC MUFFIN BONES FOR DOGGIES (makes about 4 dozen bones)

two locations. one marketplace. INGREDIENTS 2 cups whole wheat or brown rice flour 1 cup wheat germ 2 cups soy flour 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup non-fat dry milk powder 1 cup nutritional yeast 1 egg

¼ cup grapeseed or olive oil 1 Tbsp. molasses 2-3 Tbsp. CBD oil 1 cup warm vegetable, chicken or beef broth – low sodium and warmed ¾ cup warm tomato juice or water

PROCESS Heat oven to 320° degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, wheat germ, soy flour, cornmeal, milk powder, and nutritional yeast until well blended. In a medium bowl combine egg, oil, molasses, CBD oil, broth and tomato juice or water. Stir wet ingredients into large bowl of dry until well combined. Mixture will be thick and stiff. Cover with plastic wrap and allow dough to rest for about 30 minutes in refrigerator. Remove from fridge and divide dough into three parts. Keeping unused pieces covered with plastic, roll out sections of dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Do the same for the other remaining pieces of dough. Using a bone shaped cookie cutter or doughnut cutter, cut out shapes, and place on parchment lined sheet pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 15-25 minutes until bones are cooked through and crisp. Allow to cool completely then store in air-tight container. Author’s Note: I would never recommend giving animals any cannabis product with THC in it. However, I wholeheartedly support the use of edibles with CBD (cannabidiol) content. The healing properties of CBD works for dogs in the same manner it works for humans. No psychotropic effects, only medicinal properties. Dosing is contingent upon the size of your dog and his or her ailment. Our Franklin is indeed quite old and dealing with age-related maladies such as arthritis, a heart condition, and seizures. We have found he benefits greatly from periodic consumption of these easy to make, CBD dog bones.

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(continued from page 24) Though it had been nearly three months since this family had rescued him and Franklin believed he had found his forever family, what he didn’t know, was they were actively searching for a new home for him. There were already three other dogs in the household and that just didn’t leave room for another, according to the mother. Still a puppy, but with the wisdom and awareness that comes with intimate exposure to difficulties and hardship in life, Franklin left his new home and his loving family to live with a single lady. Her name was Rosamund; she had no children, no male companion and no other pets. While this new owner didn’t beat Franklin as his original owners had, she was just as cruel in another way, neglect. Franklin’s new home didn’t include a doggie door so he couldn’t get in and out as needed. Rosamund worked long hours and traveled so she never took the time to put in a doggie-door. Worse, she never walked Franklin. He spent his long, lonely days in yet another barren back yard. There were no flowers, bushes or giving trees, only dirt, gravel and an exposed pad of concrete. Nothing to provide shade or refuge in the sweltering Las Vegas summers. Where did the other family go?, wondered Franklin. What did I do to make them send me away?, he thought pondering these questions for days, weeks, months, eventually years. Then one day it happened. It was a scorching hot day in July when Franklin was

elevatenv.com | december

unwittingly lured out of that desolate back yard. Not by anyone concerned about his well-being, rather by two bad guys who showed up to do bad things, yet inadvertently did something wonderful. Enticing the now full grown, black dog, without tags, not fixed and no longer able to discern good people from bad in his hunger for companionship, turned out to be a true gift, eventually. Franklin heeded their directions and the bits of steak they had armed themselves with, gleefully following them out from the back yard into the open world of the front yard. Turning around to see what they wanted him to do next, Franklin saw they were gone and they had closed the back gate, leaving him alone once again. He stood in his spot patiently and waited and waited. They never did come out. Franklin realized there was nothing else for him to do but walk. To walk away from the house and yard where he had spent the last ten years. Already hot and thirsty, Franklin made his way through the neighborhood. Hours later an elderly gentleman called out to him, looking as though he held a bowl of something in his hands. Franklin was dubious about approaching any more humans, so he turned and ran in the other direction. Now panting and hot, so hot the pain in his hips from years of sitting on hard concrete and solid dirt was almost too much to bear. Franklin didn’t know what else to do, so he just kept walking.

A sense of the familiar washed over Franklin as he heard a vehicle slow down alongside him. There were no children in the backseat this time, only a single man. His voice was kind as he called out to Franklin, “Here boy, come here, fella.” Instead of bringing him into the truck to sit on his lap, the man swooped Franklin up and carried him in the back of the truck. There, Franklin was locked in a cage, alongside many other cages with many other dogs inside them. Oh no, was all Franklin could think. •

•

We celebrated my birthday for only the second time. Though no one knows for certain how old I really am, the decision was made last year, to celebrate on July 4th, the day I was rescued by my new dad. I heard the lady they call, Nana, say I’m about 13 years old, “That would be 91 in dog years,” she said. Yesterday’s birthday party was the best one yet! We went to Auntie Sharon and Uncle Daniel’s house where I played with my cousins Uli and Lincoln all day long. We ran up the stairs and we ran down the stairs. We jumped around, twisting and turning mid-air like gymnasts and trapeze artists. My hips bothered me a little, and Papa cautioned about me getting overly excited and having one of those seizures again, but his warning wasn’t enough to stop the fun. We tousled and wrestled then drank water to our hearts’ content from the biggest water bowl I’ve ever seen. The sun was blazing hot, and the water bowl was big enough for me and my cousins to drink from and play in while the humans cooked up mouthwatering foods on a round black thing they called a barbeque. As they finished cooking, Auntie announced it was time to go into the cool of the house. After reassembling ourselves in the kitchen Papa got down on his haunches beside me. Nana walked over holding a plate in her hand. More steak? I was hopeful, I’m always hopeful. Nope, it wasn’t meat; instead it was a big bone. Bigger than the bones Nana makes for me. However, this bone had a fire stick stuck in it. Everyone was looking at me as they began singing a happy song. Papa kept petting me as he set down the plate with the dog bone. I had a bite, it was delicious! Oh, my gosh, so good. Almost as good as those bones Nana makes. The rest of my celebration included lots of hugs, pats on the head and belly rubs. Not to mention hours more play time with my cousins. By dusk I finally collapsed on the rug at the feet of my dad. My hips were aching, my back hurt and I was exhausted. Exhausted but dog-gone happy.

As it turns out, that day so long ago, when I was picked up by the man in the truck and taken to doggie jail was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I was in that joint for three days, scared, cold, and isolated in my own cell. The other dogs inside said I was a gonner. Not fixed, I was old, black; no one was ever going to adopt me, and I believed them. I knew I had dodged fate twice already and it didn’t seem possible I could get lucky a third time. But I did. It was late afternoon of day three on the inside, when I heard his voice, “Franklin! Franklin, are you in here buddy?” It was the tall, skinny man with the beard. He cared for me sometimes when the lady, Rosamund, went away for long stretches of time. He always took me to his house. I loved it there. He walked me twice a day, talked to me, even got down on the floor and played with me. When he dog-sat me I got delicious food, not that cardboard Rosamund fed me. There was a different woman in his house. She’s older like me. I can smell age and illness, she has a little of both. But she always cooked for me; eggs, meat, and some special bones she made at home. She and the man with the beard called them Cosmic Muffin Medicine Bones (see recipe on page 25). To read the rest of Franklin's story, visit elevatenv.com/a-dog's-tale.

december | elevatenv.com 27

DISPENSARY MAP A Guide to Cannabis in Southern Nevada

RENO

PECOS RD

JONES BLVD

O .R

16b

LAUGHLIN

D BLV PARADISE RD

AS VEG LAS

MARYLAND PKWY

WES

L RD

Y RACETRACK RD

PKW AD E ME LAK

29b

6TH ST

COMMERCE ST MAIN ST 3RD ST

TER

RANCHO DR

AVE

ND HLA

RIA UST

IND

HIG

NELLIS BLVD

GE SUNRSIDPKWY HEIGHT

ST HENDERSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

215

GIBSON RD

PECOS RD

SANDHILL RD

PKWY

CACTUS AVE

MARYLAND PKWY

DECATUR BLVD

WARM SPRINGS RD

12b

HIG SO HL UTH AN ER DS N PK W

SET

HENDERSON WIGWAM PKWY 16a

18 AVE

SAM BOYD STADIUM

SUN

31b

DESERT INN RD

SILVERADO RANCH BLVD

WINDMILL LN

PEBBLE RD

515

AMO

E DI

BLU

LLY

KAREN AVE

D RD

SAHARA AVE

WINDMILL LN

OAKEY BLVD

8a 13 24 ST. LOUIS AVE

E TWAIN

RUSSELL RD

SUNSET COUNTY PARK

23a

STEPHANIE ST

MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GREEN DISTRICT

FLAMINGO RD

SUNSET RD

LAMB BLVD

PECOS RD

STR AS B VEG

LAS VEGAS TROPICANA AVE

DESERT INN RD

30b

SAHARA AVE

215

WARM SPRINGS RD

GREEN VALLEY

RUSSELL RD

SUNSET RD

EASTERN AVE

8c 29a

NELLIS BLVD

N 5TH

LOS EE R

MAI

LAS

JONES BLVD

RAINBOW BLVD

BUFFALO DR

23a

9 28

TROPICANA AVE

THE

FLAMINGO RD

CHARLESTON BLVD

3 20

SAHARA AVE

N ST

32b 5b 3 20

BERMUDA RD

DURANGO DR

FT APACHE RD

TOWN CENTER DR

HUALAPAI WAY

SAHARA AVE DESERT INN RD

PAHRUMP

OWENS AVE

BONANZA RD

31a

OAKEY BLVD

32b

CHARLESTON BLVD

WASHINGTON AVE

LVD

ALTA DR

TH OR DN V L B NELLIS AS AIR FORCE VEG LAS BASE

LAKE MEAD BLVD

MARYLAND PKWY

CHARLESTON BLVD

30a

WASHINGTON AVE

215

160

23b CAMINO AL NORTE / MLK

SIMMONS ST

VEGAS DR

159

DECATUR BLVD

RAINBOW BLVD

BUFFALO DR

CAREY AVE BLVD

LAS VEGAS BLVD SOUTH

LIN

NORTH LAS VEGAS AIRPORT

CRAIG RD

32a

DECATUR BLVD

NORTH LAS VEGAS

MESQUITE

CENTENNIAL PKWY

WASHBURN RD

HO NC

LAKE ME AD

ANN RD

CHEYENNE AVE

12a

JONES BLVD

DURANGO DR

GRAND CANYON DR

LONE MOUNTAIN RD

ALEXANDER RD

215

HORIZON RIDGE PKWY

HORIZON DR

515

BOULDER CITY

1. Acres Cannabis acrescannabis.com 2320 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.399.4200

8b. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 4300 E Sunset Rd Ste #A3 Henderson, NV 89014 702.978.7687

17. Nevada Wellness Center nvwellnessctr.com 3200 S Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.470.2077

28. The Apothecary Shoppe theapothecaryshoppe.com 4240 W Flamingo Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.740.4372

2. Apothecarium apothecariumlv.com 7885 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89117 702.778.7987

8c. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 5765 W Tropicana Ave Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.500.1714

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

29a. The Dispensary thedispensarynv.com 5347 S Decatur Blvd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89118 702.476.0420

3. Blackjack Collective blackjackcollective.com 1860 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.545.0026

9. Exhale Nevada www.exhalenevada.com 4310 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.447.1250

19. NuWu Cannabis Marketplace Nuwucannabis.com 1235 Paiute Circle Las Vegas, NV 89106 702.844.2707

29b. The Dispensary thedispensarynv.com 50 N Gibson Rd Ste #170 Henderson, NV 89104 702.476.0420

4a. Blüm LetsBlum.com 1921 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.718.Blum

10. Inyo Fine Cannabis Dispensary inyolasvegas.com 2520 S Maryland Pkwy Ste #2 Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.707.8888

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

30a. The Grove TheGroveNV.com 1541 E Basin Ave Pahrump, NV 89048 775.556.0100

4b. Blüm LetsBlum.com 3650 S Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.627.Blum

11. Jardin jardincannabis.com 2900 E Desert Inn Rd Ste #102 Las Vegas, NV 89121 702.331.6511

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

30b. The Grove TheGroveNV.com 4647 Swenson St Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.463.5777

4c. Blüm LetsBlum.com 1130 E Desert Inn Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.536.Blum

12a. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 5530 N Decatur Blvd North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.718.0420

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

31a. The Source thesourcenv.com 2550 S Rainbow Blvd Ste #8 Las Vegas, NV 89146 702.708.2000

5a. CANOPI canopi.com 6540 Blue Diamond Rd Las Vegas, NV 89139 702.420.7338

12b. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 10420 S Eastern Ave Henderson, NV 89052 702.718.0420

23a. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 3400 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.475.6520

31b. The Source thesourcenv.com 9480 S Eastern Ave Ste #185 Henderson, NV 89123 702.708.2222

5b. CANOPI canopi.com 1324 S 3rd St Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.420.2902

13. Las Vegas ReLeaf lasvegasreleaf.com 2244 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.209.2400

23b. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 1366 W Cheyenne Ave North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.410.8032

32a. Thrive Cannabis Markeplace thrivenevada.com 2755 W Cheyenne Ave Ste #103 North Las Vegas, NV 89032 702.776.4144

5c. CANOPI canopi.com 2113 Las Vegas Blvd North North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.420.2113

14. Medizin medizinlv.com 4850 W Sunset Rd Ste #130 Las Vegas, NV 89118 702.206.1313

24. Sahara Wellness 420sahara.com 420 E Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.478.5533

32b.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 1112 S Commerce St. Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.776.4144

6. Deep Roots Harvest deeprootsharvest.com 195 Willis Carrier Canyon Mesquite, NV 89034 702.345.2854

15. MMJ America mmjamerica.com 4660 S Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.565.9333

25. Shango Las Vegas goshango.com 4380 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, NV 89121 702.444.4824

33. Top Notch THC topnotchthc.com 5630 Stephanie St Las Vegas, NV 89122 702.418.0420

7. Euphoria Wellness euphoriawellnessnv.com 7780 S Jones Blvd Ste #105 Las Vegas, NV 89139 702.960.7200

16a. Nevada Medical Marijuana nevadamedicalmarijuana.com 3195 St. Rose Pkwy Ste #212 Henderson, NV 89052 702.737.7777

26. ShowGrow showgrowlv.com 4850 S Fort Apache Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89147 702.227.0511

34. Zen Leaf zenleafvegas.com 9120 W Post Rd Ste #103 Las Vegas, NV 89148 702.462.6706

8a. Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 2307 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.978.7591

16b. Nevada Medical Marijuana nevadamedicalmarijuana.com 1975 S Casino Dr Laughlin, NV 89029 702.737.7777

27. Silver Sage Wellness sswlv.com 4626 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.802.3757 Cannabiotix products are sold here

elevatenv.com | december

uestion 2, which allows for the product because of the cartoon or packaging. It is anticipated that similar restrictions will be in effect under the adult-use market. Furthermore, the industry has already taken steps to protect children from accidental ingestion of marijuana edibles. The Nevada Dispensary Association and its members have agreed to not carry edible products that are in the shapes of animals, cartoons or characters that may be more attractive to children. This means items such as marijuana-infused gummy bears are no longer available in most dispensaries as the industry is imposing restrictions upon itself. In addition to all the current restrictions that are in place to protect children from accidental ingestion of edibles, some legislators are calling for even stricter requirements and perhaps even barring some products altogether. At the upcoming 2017 Nevada Legislative Session, the packaging, shape and markings of edibles,

as well as the prohibition of certain types of edibles and education on edibles will most likely be discussed. Nevada may look to states such as Colorado for guidance. Colorado now requires all edibles to be marked with a symbol that indicates the product contains marijuana. Also, Colorado hental ingestion of marijuana edibles. Thus, while there are additional measures that can be taken, under the current regulations, it is unlikely that our children will unknowingly consume edible marijuana products next Halloween.

december | elevatenv.com 31

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Elevating the Conversation with Robert L. Cook, MD, MPH, Professor in Epidemiology, Director of the Southern HIV and Alcohol Research Consortium (SHARC) and Chair of the Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research (FCHAR)

niversity of Florida Health’s Dr. Robert Cook is lead investigator of a study starting in January that will look at the health effects of cannabis on people with HIV as well as its potential as an alternative to addictive opioids. Awarded a $3.2 million R01 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Dr. Cook and his team will conduct a study of 400 persons living with HIV infection to identify relationships between marijuana consumption and control of HIV symptoms, HIV viral suppression, markers of chronic inflammation, and cognitive or behavioral aspects of health.

Florida has the third-highest number of residents living with HIV infection in the U.S., according to a 2015 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Was that a factor in why you developed this study? Fifty percent of people with HIV in Florida are now 50 years old or more. So, we have a lot of older people who currently use marijuana or who are thinking about it. And we don’t have a lot of information on what happens to people over age 50. What is your hypothesis for the study? I do believe that people who are getting effective relief from pain, for example, will be using it slightly differently than those who don’t get effective relief from pain. I suspect the CBD part is important, but I don’t have a lot of data to prove it. And I am interested in comparing some of the side effects of people who are using products that are either long-lasting or that they use several times a day compared to people who use marijuana intermittently. Even with that, I wonder as a physician...should we be encouraging people to just dose it all day long versus use as needed. What are you most interested in studying? We are especially interested in inflammatory markers. HIV virus, if it’s unsuppressed, does cause chronic inflammation in the body and that is usually associated with more rapid aging, more rapid progression of heart disease, and probably feeling fatigued and tired. If marijuana could suppress some of that chronic inflammation or at least some parts of marijuana, it really could help people who have a chronic virus feel better. We do suspect that many people truly do feel better with it and I suspect it’s because of its relationship to inflammation.

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What do you see as one of your biggest challenges regarding this study? In an animal study you can control everything except for the marijuana and learn a lot. But in real life, our participants, in addition to having different marijuana patterns, also do have different patterns of other substance use, different medical comorbidities, and different experiences of stress and abuses in their lives. It can be hard to tease out an effect with all this variation but at the same time that’s the real world. People living with HIV in Florida do have many medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and so we want to know is it safe to use in these types of people with lots of health issues. Since study participants will be using their own marijuana products, how will you know what kind of medicine they will be taking? We are going to do a urine toxicology to try and figure out if what they use has any of the cannabinoids in it or if it’s only THC. I think there’s a lot of medical interest around the CBD part. It does seem like what’s available to purchase is mostly THC products and the CBD stuff costs more. I would like to be able to tell patients if this is worth it. We need to have data to show if you do have a CBD product that it is better for pain and things like that. Do you think the reason you received the grant has to do with the nation’s opioid problem and cannabis’ potential to be an alternative? You would have to ask NIH, but I do think our grant was funded in part because there are so few studies trying to gain scientific evidence on marijuana and any type of chronic health issue. HIV is one, but they might be interested in other types of conditions people might use it for. To read our entire interview with Dr. Robert Cook, visit elevatenv.com/Elevating_the_Conversation.