The Love Issue by Elevate Nevada Magazine

FEBRUARY 2018

SENDING SMOKE SIGNALS WITH CANNABIS

THE LOVE ISSUE Let us count the ways you can find love with cannabis

SECRETS FOR UNLOCKING PANDORA’S BOX INDUSTRY EXPERTS SPREAD THE CANNA-LOVE IN THIS MONTH’S REVIEW

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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: Amanda Connor, Melody Jane, chef Dorinda Vance, Ashley Manta

Media Consultants: Mark Damkroeger, mark@elevatenv.com Denise Diaz, denise@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: 702.855.3843 | Email: info@elevatenv.com

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‘Regular Marijuana Use Linked to More Sex’ screamed the headline. That certainly got my attention. I took the bait and clicked -- for editorial research purposes only, of course. This sexy newsflash is courtesy of Stanford University whose researchers analyzed data and found a positive association between the two. Evidently, this is the first study to examine the relationship between cannabis use and frequency of sexual intercourse in the United States. Stanford University School of Medicine’s findings, published last fall in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, are based on an analysis of more than 50,000 Americans ages 25-45. The study’s results are clear. “Frequent marijuana use doesn’t seem to impair sexual motivation or performance. If anything, it’s associated with increased coital frequency,” said the study’s senior author, Michael Eisenberg, MD, assistant professor of urology. Hmmm....it appears I have some research of my own to do. The study does not establish a causal connection between cannabis use and sexual activity, Eisenberg noted. But the results hint at it. “The overall trend we saw applied to people of both sexes and all races, ages, education levels, income groups and religions, every health status, whether they were married or single and whether or not they had kids.” Some 24.5 percent of men and 14.5 percent of women in the analysis reported having used cannabis, and there was a positive association between the frequency of cannabis use and the frequency of sexual intercourse. This relationship applied to both sexes: Women denying marijuana use in the past year, for example, had sex on average 6.0 times during the previous four weeks, whereas that number was 7.1 for daily cannabis users. Among men, the corresponding

figure was 5.6 for nonusers and 6.9 for daily users. In other words, cannabis users are having about 20 percent more sex than pot abstainers, Eisenberg noted. So, there you have it -- enough evidence that it is certainly worthy of an investigation of your own, which is especially serendipitous with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. When this research came out last fall, I decided it was high time we did a Love issue. I had no end of volunteers who had plenty to share in the way of their own experiences with sex and cannabis. While at the MJBizCon last November, I met Sexuality Educator Ashley Manta of CannaSexual.com who was a wealth of information on the topic and authored the feature ‘Smoke Signals: A romantic roadmap for creating a sensual evening with your partner’ in this month’s issue on page 23. Ashley offers great insight and tips for both the novice and the more experienced. Also in this issue, Antuanette Gomez, founder of Pleasure Peaks, elevates our conversation with some bedroom advice of her own with some how-to’s for incorporating cannabis into your love life. We also have a firsthand account from Sin City Melody Jane about the way cannabis changed her relationship with her husband in her story ‘Unlocking Pandora’s Box,’ page 17. There’s also some gifting ideas for February 14th, a recipe from Kynd Cannabis Company for Chocolate Date Truffles in this month’s Cooking with Cannabis, and a product review of favorites from local industry experts who were happy to share their preferred strains in ‘Spreading the Canna-Love.’ Speaking of...spread a little love of your own this month,

ENROLL IN CLASSES NOW: CONTINUING EDUCATION & JOB OPPORTUNITIES The Nevada Dispensary Association is offering the most comprehensive training to help you get your start in the marijuana industry. We are currently offering online training for the following courses: Registered Agent Training Marketing and Advertising Regulations Packaging and Labeling Visitor Access and Obtaining an Agent Card The NDA will also host frequent, live training courses taught by industry experts. Each training presents valuable tools for current and future Nevada dispensary agents seeking to increase their industry knowledge. Introduction to Inventory Control taught by Amanda Connor, Esq. 2/13 Sell-Smart taught by Maureen McNamara 2/20 ServSafe taught by Maureen McNamara 2/21 CBD Sales and In Use Production/Testing taught by Kara Cronkhite, REHS, MPH 2/28

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CONTENTS 38

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Cooking Cannabis CHOCOLATE DATE TRUFFLES By chocolatier Dorinda Vance Photography by Jeramie Lu Photography Tahoe native Dorinda Vance is a chocolatier who crafts delectable creations out of her family-based chocolate shop located in Reno. Dorinda also consults with Kynd Cannabis Company to ensure their edibles, such as their Chocolate Date Truffles, are of the finest caliber.

INGREDIENTS: makes (16) 20g Truffles

INSTRUCTIONS:

1/2 cup cashew butter (or 1 cup whole cashews) 6-7 large dates, pitted 1/2 vanilla bean, scraped (alternately, 1/2 tsp. 100% vanilla extract)

• To make cashew butter from whole cashews: Mix 1 cup of whole cashews in Cuisinart until smooth.

1-1/2 tsp. sea salt 1/2 cup 100% cocoa powder Kynd 300mg CBD tincture (add one full bottle of Kynd 300mg tincture, ½ oz.*) *One 20g truffle will contain 17.6mg of CBD

NOTES: • • • •

• •

Add dates to Cuisinart and blend well. Add vanilla and sea salt; incorporate. If adding Kynd 300mg CBD oil, add it in now and mix thoroughly. You may need to scrape the bowl and keep remixing until well blended.

• Add 100% cocoa powder to mixture. Blend again, about 3-5 minutes, scraping and mixing intermittently. • Remove dough from Cuisinart. • Roll dough into balls approximately 1.5-inch diameter (20g*). • Optional: Roll truffles in ground almonds (this will keep them moist longer).

Refrigerate in airtight container; will last for six weeks. Substitute peanuts or almonds for cashews. If mixture is dry after blending, add 1-2 Tablespoons of organic coconut oil. Substitute with 2:1 Kynd tincture (½ oz.) for 6.2mg THC and 12.4 CBD per 20g truffle. These truffles have no added sugar. The sweetness from the dates and the nutty flavor balances wonderfully with the 100% cocoa powder making for a tasty, yet healthy treat.

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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SPREADING THE CANNA-LOVE Industry experts share their favorite finds from the Nevada marketplace

his month’s cannabis product review is a loving potluck, so to speak, of submissions by various people from Nevada’s cannabis industry. We requested that each submission be about a strain or product that was a favorite or well-loved by its user – a Valentine of sorts. Some submissions are as poetic as meeting a first love while others come from a place of wonder and awe for reasons of medical necessity. There is an edible, a cream, and an oil as well as a slew of flower faves for you to become acquainted. After reading through our list, perhaps you will find a strain that turns your head or maybe a new idea for treating an old problem among this batch of products that includes everything from classics to up-and-comers. Either way, we hope you find something new to, at the very least, crush on. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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MARIJUANA

SHOW HER HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HER If you like the taste of frosting and cake batter and are ready to get in a celebratory mode, this is definitely the edible for you. Dixie’s new White Chocolate Birthday Bar is my favorite edible right now. I have a HUGE sweet tooth and nothing that I have experienced so far has come close in flavor. It's the kind of chocolate bar I would eat even if there was no cannabis infusion. With 100mg of THC per bar and clear divots for dosing, it provides a safe and delicious way to consume cannabis. At Silver State Wellness we activate the THC via decarboxylation to ensure that the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant is readily available for absorption. --Rebecca Perrick, Silver State Wellness account executive

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IT’S A SWEETHEART DEAL FOR YOU, TOO. BUY ANY GIFT CARD OF $50 OR MORE AND BE ENTERED TO WIN MARIJUANA FOR A YEAR.* Monday-Thursday 9am-11pm Friday & Saturday 9am-1am | Sunday 10am-10pm Gamechanger. That’s the term I routinely use to describe CBD for Life’s Pure CBD face cream. I originally started using it out of sheer vanity. I was told it would work wonders on my fine lines and wrinkles. What I found instead is that it is the most effective sleep aid I have ever used, which, after all, is half the battle when it comes to beauty. Prior to using CBD for Life’s face cream, I took half a Benadryl, wore an LED light mask, and listened to a white noise machine to find my way to sleep every night. It was quite an elaborate production, but I was never able

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* PromotionrunsFeb.1,2018at12:01a.m.–February14,2018at11:00p.m.Withagiftcardpurchaseof$50ormore,receive adrawingentryforachancetowin1/8oz.ofSummaCannabisflowerperweekforoneyear.Purchasemustoccurin-storeat EuphoriaWellness.OnewinnertobedrawnFebruary15andnotifiedviaphone.SummaFlowersubjecttoavailability.Management reservesallrights.Winnermustclaimprizein-personeachweek.Keepoutofreachofchildren.Foruseonlybyadults21yearsof ageandolder.**GamingPropertiesExcluded

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to quiet my mind especially during deadline week. Two weeks into using CBD for Life I realized I wasn’t going through any of my normal sleep rituals. That was two years ago, and I have been a diehard devotee of this magical sleep elixir ever since. And, yes, it does wonders for your skin too. Even though I use the face cream at night, my skin never fails to feel fully hydrated when I wake up each morning. Although I came for the vanity, I stay for the sleep. www.cbdforlife.us --Beth Schwartz, editor, elevate magazine Sour Banana Sherbert by Green and Gold Supply Co. is quite a looker. This beautifully colorful bud was the first to catch my eye as I gazed upon the display jars in the showroom at my local dispensary. After one sniff, I knew what strain I would be getting. These tightly trimmed nugs are totally covered in a frosty amber coat of trichomes. Beneath the trichomes, deep purple bud sticks though. Orange hairs contrast the flower giving it a very unique and appealing look. The zesty sour citrus smell tickles my nose and is the first aroma I notice as I open the jar. There is also the familiar sweet gasoline and earthy smell similar to many cookies strains. An even ratio of myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene help balance out this high THCa-producing strain. After getting a good look at this Sour Banana Sherbert, it’s no wonder why it sells out so quickly and can be hard to find in stock. After a long day of work, I lit up a joint of Sour Banana Sherbert. The smooth sweet flavor of the smoke has me going back for more. With each additional hit, I can feel my worries fading away as I sink into the couch. Stress seems to vanish, and I can feel tension easing in my body. This strain is a great way to unwind and get into a more relaxed state. When your work is done and it’s time to lounge, this strain’s strong indica qualities will be the perfect complement. The joint burned slow and produced white ash, indicating the flower was grown and flushed properly. The time and love put into growing these flowers is evident in the final product. --Oscar Hunt, Field Chemist, Ace Analytical Laboratory

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Since the infancy of my cannabis peregrination, Granddaddy Purple (GDP) has long held my utmost adoration. From the very first time I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one. Her deep purple buds are accentuated by luminous orange stigmas stemming from the pistils, and the glistening coat of trichomes across the bud structure is the proverbial cherry on top. The nose is akin to a dark chocolate coated berry and smells so sweet you'll want Rick Moranis to shrink you down, so you can live inside the bag. The taste translates directly from the alluring smell of berries and envelopes your palate with a distinguishable luscious aroma. One of my favorite attributes of GDP is that it serves as the indica paradigm in terms of medicinal value. GDP provides heavy sedation, a blissful body high, mood enhancement, an ideal analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Part of my adoration stems from the cultivation process of GDP. She can be a tricky strain to grow well -- she requires proper environmental conditioning and extra attention to detail due to her density and higher potential for fungal infections like botrytis. Like the ideal woman (for me at least), she isn't easy, she's sweet, she's consistent, and she takes care of your needs after you've taken care of hers. My favorite GDP in the market is hands down State Flower Cannabis' cut. It's the quintessential GDP we all know and love, and SFC's Bay Area roots would make Ken Estes proud. --Matthew Janz with Young Fashioned My favorite cannabis products, especially for this time of the year, are Evergreen Organix Massage and Intimacy Oils. The fact that these products can be used alone or with another person to enhance your experience makes them even more special. Both oils will surely help make your Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day much more memorable. Few things are better than a good massage from a loved one, especially when one of those things happens to be a massage from a loved one with Evergreen Organix Massage Oil. This massage oil gives a localized effect, leaving a tingling sensation at the surface of the skin. As

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CANN BIS 12

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the cannabis oil penetrates the skin, one can feel the pain and tension in their muscles melt away. But wait...don't fall asleep yet. The night doesn't have to end there. Continue to spice things up with Evergreen Organix Intimacy oil. Everyone may experience enhanced sensations; however, this product is best utilized for the receiving partner. This oil can enhance the big “O” (or multiple ones for that matter) and can help both men and women who struggle with orgasms to achieve their goals. One word of advice: Don’t rush it. Take your time and enjoy the enhanced experience. --NuLeaf's Andrew ZaninovichCavalli, Assistant Manager at NuLeaf Lake Tahoe As a grower for Remedy and Silver Sage Wellness, naming my favorite strain is one of the most popular questions I get asked. It's a pretty tough question seeing as we grow about 35 different strains right now. I would have to say my favorite strain is Pre-98 Bubba Kush. This is the strain that taught me how to grow cannabis. First off, if you give her the attention she needs, she will reciprocate the love you put in, she grows really well and is a very stable strain. I would say it's a good strain for newer growers to learn with. Beyond growing her, she provides fantastic medical benefits. Pre-98 Bubba Kush is great as a muscle relaxer, sleep aid, great for stomach issues, and overall body relief. The taste, smell, look, and effects of these flowers have all the qualities you look for in premium cannabis. The taste is hearty, earthy, and floral as is the smell. The bud structure is rounded with small crowns. The effects are immediate relaxation and all is at ease. I think growing up in the ‘90s in Southern California there is some nostalgia there as well. Beyond all these reasons, I just feel a deep connection with Pre-98 Bubba Kush. --Chris Welch, Cultivation Director, Remedy/Silver Sage Wellness

Having possessed a medical card since 2016, I’ve had the pleasure of partaking in the many wonderful and exotic strains the Las Vegas Valley has to offer. I enjoy strains that range from Sour Diesel and Durban Poison to OG Kush and Granddaddy Purple. I’m no expert, I just appreciate a nice variety. FLO OG by SUMMA Cannabis, however, stands out to me above the rest, which for purposes of full disclosure: SUMMA is Euphoria’s in-house cultivation. I can always count on this strain to deliver the most creative, euphoric, mood enhancing high around for both mind and body. It’s an indica strain but commonly known as a “functional” indica as it doesn’t result in a couch lock high that tends to scare some away. In higher doses it’s definitely a sleeper, but when taken in smaller doses its unique blend of terpenes produces a high I find hard to emulate. The reason I love it is because of its terpene makeup -- high in limonene and caryophyllene -- the strain works to fight depression and elevate mood, as well as

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2755 W. CHEYENNE AVE. #103 NORTH LV [CHEYENNE + SIMMONS] 24 HOURS A DAY | 7 DAYS A WEEK aid with gastrointestinal issues. FLO OG also has a nice myrcene level which helps with body pain and tension. I know terpenes can change or differ from one harvest to another and that’s why I specifically go with SUMMA’s because I know they pay attention to all aspects of plant growth and development and don’t focus solely on high THC percentages. The beauty of this strain is that even though it’s an indica, it elevates and stimulates your mood into a creative, pain-free, relaxed state that’s great for a fun social gathering or for just staying home and painting by yourself. Did I mention its $40 for an eighth? You’re welcome! --Lauren Talley, budtender at Euphoria Wellness Citrus is my friend. Growing up, Navel oranges were like candy to me. I ate them religiously, adding in the occasional tangerine. I drank orange juice, Florida orange juice. Then it was off to college where I got lousy grades my freshman year before discovering that

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cannabis and college mix well. Maturation, perhaps? Finding my muse? Maybe. As the classes got harder, the grades got better, and I began working for the college newspaper. I had a paid position, one of 20, that was sought by hundreds. Then came newspaper jobs, a long list of awards and all the while, smoking herb. What I wasn’t smart enough to know at the time was that cannabis had limonene which is the terpene that allowed me to write tons of copy without burning out. Funny, I was often called a burnout for smoking pot. While many friends and colleagues “grew out of it,” I rarely quit, and for decades, kept grinding out more copy, more stories, a few books and anything else I could get paid for by laying down prose in a hurry. As I got older, the lemon and lime were added as a way to get more vitamin C along with natural sugars. I

was pleased to learn that the lemon and lime could make the body alkaline to improve overall health. That’s why I could work 70-hour weeks and never get sick. The key was limonene, found in abundance in orange, tangerine and lemon strains. Limonene is a powerful terpene that provides an uplifting effect while also stimulating creativity and promoting better health. The aroma found in the strain is traced to the rinds of citrus. Limonene can reduce stress and anxiety, thus allowing a writer to focus. But I fear my secret has gone viral. Since recreational use began in Nevada, the citrus has nearly disappeared. Trying to find Tangerine, Tangerine Dream, L ‘Orange and my other favorites has been a challenge. Growers, please take note of the demand. --Richard Gubbe, Journalist/Consultant I battle depression which means I'm not always a fan of the indica species. I find myself in high-stress moments that really don't allow time for release. One day I pulled the labs on all my indicas. I was on a mission to find a profile that would fit my needs. The terpenes I wanted were myrcene to relax my body, and limonene or beta pinene for focus. I knew I was on the hunt for the Red October and to my surprise "it does exist!" Larry OG's by Nature’s Kindest

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offers a piney lemony goodness that won me over. The initial aroma of the first lit bowls wafted over my face and I knew I had found the one! A few minutes into my session my body was relaxed and, yet, I was focused enough to finish the night’s tasks. --A’Esha Goins, founder, Blackabis blog When I was first asked to do a review on a strain that I loved and why it was a favorite, I said to myself, this isn't going to be easy. That was until I tried the new Golden Night strain. It’s an indica with a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio which is perfect for when I need a little pain relief and relaxation. It was quite impressive the first time I tried it

and has continued to leave its distinctive mark to this day. I find it peculiar that depending on my mood at the time, it will determine how this strain affects me. I know that’s the case with any and all strains, but this one is different for me. It will leave me feeling uplifted, blissful and even a little exhilarated at times. Golden Night just puts me in an all-around pleasant mood. Now on the other hand, if I need to sleep, it allows me to unwind and destress from the day’s activities and ultimately drift off to dreamland. Whichever effects I am feeling at the time seem to be everlasting. And those are just some of the reasons why I love a Golden Night. --Shy Barton-Folger, Assistant General Manager at The+Source Las Vegas

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Unlocking Pandora's Box

When hope is lost the collision of sex and cannabis make for a sweet euphoria by Sin City Melody Jane

When I was a teenager smoking pot had the thrill of doing something naughty. Since I was raised in a very strict home the risks didn’t outweigh the rewards, so smoking pot was a very short-lived experience. So short-lived that I had never had sex while high. Fast forward to 2016, we won’t mention how many years in between, when my hubby and I had the conversation about medical marijuana and the first time I smoked for relief. First things first, the marijuana offered at a dispensary is far superior to anything that was ever available in the small town I grew up in. The first time I smoked as a medical marijuana user, I intentionally got high so that my husband could understand the furthest I could allow myself to go while using marijuana. His concern was based on several bad experiences with people he cared about while growing up, not from his own personal experience. The first thing he noticed was the way my stress melted away, and he was convinced this was a positive thing -- both for me as an individual and for us as a couple. The stress I have been dealing with for the last few years has had more effects than to just thrust me into dramatic anxiety attacks, while I was fighting to hold myself together I lost my sex drive. That is not to say that I never wanted to have sex, just that I did not want to have it nearly as much as I used to or as adventurously as I used to. Three hits of Grape Krush and stress relief was not all that I experienced. (Although Grape Krush is no longer available, Super Sour Diesel works in a similar manner.) To say that I was feeling frisky pales in comparison to what happened. What no one ever told me, but I will definitely tell you, is that sex while high can be absolutely amazing. Inhibitions go out the window and, oh, how freeing that can be. For us, oral was better and more primal, I had no problem telling him what I wanted, where I wanted it, and that I wanted more and more of it. My skin felt electric and each sexual sensation seemed to build the high that I was experiencing. He was impressed and sold on the prospect. After trying marijuana for himself, about a week later, he found that the right strain helped him too. Medications for conditions he has have nearly killed his sex drive but marijuana not only brought it back -- he has more drive and stamina than he has had in years. High or not, since I started using medical marijuana our sex life has gotten so much better, and it has only helped our marriage, which has felt the strain, stress and anxiety that pursuing a graduate degree can have on a marriage. So, what is the takeaway? There is plenty of evidence that sex is great for your health in so many ways and medical marijuana has been shown to help patients with a myriad of health concerns. I’m not sharing this glimpse into my sex life to boast, even if it has me grinning like a Cheshire cat. I believe that marijuana and sex can feel like magic together as well as be cathartic. More importantly, we can all use more rest, relaxation, and release. So, if you haven’t tried it, consider it, and if you are looking for strains that unlock Pandora’s box, I recommend looking at hybrids that provide a euphoric feeling -- those have worked for us.

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UFC fighter Nate Diaz smokes a CBD vape pen during a post-fight press conference on August 20, 2016.

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Tokens of Love

GIFTS TO BESTOW UPON YOUR BELOVED 1

TOUCH is an automated dispensing system for warming your favorite personal lubricants and massage oils. With a wave of the hand your favorite lubricant or oil magically appears. TOUCH holds 4oz. of your favorite lubricant or oil so you can enjoy the hot sensations again and again. experiencewarm.com

In her latest 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.

Jacquie Aiche’s Double Sweet Leaf wrap ring with pave diamonds is from her cannabis themed collection of exquisite jewelry. It’s available in 14K yellow, rose or white old. jacquieaiche.com

420 Sweet Leaf Clutch from Jacquie Aiche is made from denim with a signature black leather sweet leaf patch and fringe tassel. Five percent of proceeds go to the Spark the Conversation campaign to help change the social stigma of cannabis. jacquieaiche.com

Erbanna’s smell proof Mindy stash bag is a faux snake bag made from non-leather. Lined with Odor Loc Tech, Mindy sports smell proof zippers inside and out, with two extra discreet inside pockets and several easy in and out pouches for personal items. erbanna.com

The portable design of Huni Badger’s vertical vaporizer makes it easy for you to vape anytime, anywhere. Powered by a single rechargeable 18650 Lithium-Ion battery paired with a one-button control, once the device is turned on, the ceramic tube heating element warms up to operating temperature in only ten seconds. hunibadger.com

The leather B. Wayne 1 doob-tube carry case from Erbanna is a smell proof, waterproof, and sweatproof spliff/blunt/joint holder. The B. Wayne 1 keeps a pre-roll dry and safe so go ahead, make him a superhero with this Dark Knight blunt holder. erbanna.com

Genifer M’s grower's gold bracelet of braided boho leather makes a sophisticated statement. The rotund rondelle, which hides the magnetic clasp, is ringed with sterling silver sativa leaves and one 14K grower's gold leaf. geniferm.com

Prana’s Henna Eco yoga mat is perfect for the canna-yoga obsessed. Delightfully adorned with a henna print, the mat provides superior cushioning and excellent grip. The mat is UV resistant, lightweight, non-toxic, latex and chlorine free, and germ-resistant. prana.com

Jonathan Adler’s Hashish candle is scandalously scented with black currant, green apple, wormwood, patchouli, and moss. Earthy but couture—it's a tempting taboo to inhale. When the candle burns out, the porcelain vessel makes a perfect stash box. jonathanadler.com

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Premium flower pre-rolls Expertly selected strains. Delightfully packaged.

Produced with love by Sweet Cannabis

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SENDING SMOKE SIGNALS

A romantic roadmap for creating a sensual evening with your partner By Ashley Manta of Cannasexual.com

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f you walk into any store in February, you might think Valentine’s Day is nothing more than an explosion of red decorations, boxes of chocolate, and candy hearts. Restaurants are booked weeks (sometimes months) in advance, Hallmark makes their sales goal for the entire quarter, and jewelry stores bombard social media with ads. For people who are coupled at this time of year, there’s often a great deal of pressure to achieve some ideal of perfection in romance. At its core, however, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating connection. If you can let go of the trappings of the holiday and embrace that value, you’ll find much greater satisfaction and intimacy. It can feel overwhelming to attempt to plan a romantic evening from scratch, so here is a roadmap to creating (or co-creating) a lovely, sensual evening with your partner using cannabis as one of the connection tools. To begin, figure out if you are planning this together or as an experience where one person choreographs and executes the whole evening for the other person’s enjoyment. Planning together is fun because you can both add in facets that resonate with your interests, but doing it as a surprise for the other partner can be a powerful way to demonstrate care and thoughtfulness. A word of advice--especially if you’re doing this as

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a surprise for your partner--don’t make sex your goal. This isn’t about getting laid, and if your partner gets the impression that this is just some elaborate scheme to get in their pants, it might feel transactional rather than romantic. Rest assured you’re putting a deposit in the karma bank that will undoubtedly serve you in the future, but put the focus of the evening on sensuality rather than sexuality. It can still be erotic without a climax. (On the other hand, if you are both ready to rip each other’s clothes off by the end of the evening, by all means go for it. Just make sure you’re both a “hell yes!”) The importance of set and setting cannot be overstated. Let’s start with setting. If you have kids, make sure they have a babysitter for at least two hours, preferably closer to five hours. If you don’t have kids, just make sure you have that time set aside where your phone is on “do not disturb” and you won’t be interrupted by roommates or visitors. If you’re gaping at that time bracket wondering how you’re going to fill it, don’t worry, we’ll get there. Make sure your home is tidy--pick up the laundry from the floor, put clean (soft!) sheets on the bed, and wipe down the bathroom. Prepare your cannabis supplies so that they’re readily available. Choose your cannabis products based on what you each need (and don’t feel like you both have to use the same

cannabis products or methods of consumption). If one partner is a total newbie or has low tolerance, stick to topicals or high CBD products since they don’t have psychoactive effects. If one partner finds that stress often holds them back from being present, choose a product or strain that will help them feel relaxed. If one partner has pain (chronic or acute), focus on products that will help manage pain so your partner can focus on pleasurable sensations. If you’re doing the planning and executing, think about what kind of things your partner likes for each of the five senses. Do they have a favorite scent that you wear? Do they like essential oils? The smell of a certain flower? Incense? Are they chemically sensitive and any scent will give them a migraine? If that last one is the case, maybe skip the scent element. Choose music that is mood enhancing. Depending on their tastes, that might be EDM or quiet piano or R&B or spa music. Bonus points: Make a special playlist of songs that are special to them or your relationship. Draw a bath for your partner and add Epsom salts or an infused bath soak or bath bomb. You’ll want to make sure they soak for at least 15 minutes for full effects--the best part is even with infused products it’ll relax them without getting them high. While they’re soaking and listening to music, set up the room: have some yummy food on a plate to nibble on that will delight their taste buds--perhaps chocolate or berries. Light candles and place them around the space. Get some melted coconut oil or infused massage oil and have it nearby. If you really want to impress

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them, get a WARM Touch device--it’s an automatic oil dispenser and warmer so all you have to do is place your hand under the spout and it will apportion deliciously warmed oil directly into your palm (see page 20). This is a gamechanger for massages. When they get out of the tub, bring them a soft fluffy towel to dry off then lead them into the bedroom. If you’re smoking, have a joint, blunt, or bowl prepared. If they’re a yes, take a small hit and shotgun the hit into your partner’s mouth, then kiss them. Remember, less is more. This isn’t

about getting stoned off your gourd. Look into their eyes and smile, then invite them to lay down on the bed for a massage. Add a blindfold if they’re willing. Start at their feet (unless they’re ticklish, then start at their ankles). Take your time. Go slowly. Check in regularly, asking, “How is that feeling for you?” “Would you like more pressure, less pressure, or the same?” “Are there any spots that need extra attention?” Once they’re thoroughly massaged, bring over that plate of yummy food. Let them inhale the aroma, tell them how wonderful it’s going to taste as the flavors explode on their tongue. Trace the morsel over their lips and tease them a bit before you finally let them have it. Then take off the blindfold and gaze into their eyes again. Tell them what you appreciate about them, their body, your relationship. Share the ways they bring joy to your life. Then, look into their eyes and kiss them again, slowly. Blow out the candles and fall asleep snuggled in each other’s arms. Even if you only incorporate a few of these suggestions, consciously creating a sensual experience for you partner is a powerful way to deepen intimacy. Don’t just save these tips for Valentine’s Day--think of ways to do this 365 days a year. Your relationship will be stronger for it.

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LEGALEASE

The Legal Ramifications of Using Cannabis While Pregnant by Amanda Connor, Connor & Connor

Using marijuana while pregnant is a controversial topic. Some research suggests it harms the baby, while advocates argue that there are medical benefits for the mother. As marijuana laws loosen around the country, a question arises: What is legal? While there has been a national rethinking of marijuana laws on a state-by-state basis throughout the country, marijuana remains illegal on a federal level. So the question must be asked, what are the consequences of testing positive for marijuana use during pregnancy? Can child services take your child? As long as cannabis is a scheduled controlled substance under federal law, it will be included in laws regarding child abuse and come into conflict with state laws. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requires states receiving federal grants to address the needs of infants affected by illegal substance abuse, and

elevatenv.com | february

that healthcare providers involved in the delivery or care of drug-exposed infants notify Child Protective Services (CPS), regardless of whether the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health is threatened. This has become a pressing issue because under Nevada state law, marijuana is not an illegal substance. Marijuana legalization within the country has not filtered throughout the court system, especially family court. There have been instances throughout the country where legal users of marijuana have had CPS take action against them for child endangerment because of a positive test result during pregnancy. When CPS is notified it leads to an investigation of the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home to determine whether grounds exist to remove the child from the parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s custody based on child endangerment. According to NRS 200.508 child endangerment occurs when a person knowingly places a child in a situation where

a child may suffer physical or mental harm. There can be ambiguity in the interpretation of this statute; specifically does using marijuana while pregnant place a child in danger of suffering physical or mental harm? Critics say that the approach of CPS on this aspect is overzealous and outdated based on beliefs not supported by science. However, if CPS determines that a child is endangered, it is usually based on additional findings from the investigation after the initial positive test result for marijuana during pregnancy. Studies looking at marijuana use during pregnancy produce inconsistent results. This could be for a few reasons, including the fact that women who use marijuana during pregnancy are often exposed to other extraneous factors that can skew results. These factors could be anything from the use of alcohol or other drugs to lack of prenatal care. Some studies have suggested that for women who smoke marijuana regularly, there is an increased risk for premature birth and lower birth weight. Babies who are born prematurely or with low birth weight have higher rates of infant deaths, learning problems or other disabilities. Similar to what is seen with cigarette smoking, smoking marijuana may increase carbon monoxide levels in the blood, which can decrease the amount of oxygen the baby receives, and may also affect the growth of the baby. There are no legal repercussions for using alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, so why should marijuana be any different? It comes down to a balance of rights between the parent and the child and determining if and how much marijuana use can be beneficial for the mother vs. the side effects of abuse on the child. At the moment there is no law that allows immediate removal of the child from the parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s custody due to a positive test of marijuana. However, it is a red flag and will place the family on CPSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radar and could lead to a thorough investigation of the premises to determine if it is a safe home for a child. Legal complications can arise in states with restrictive laws and a charge of child abuse is possible in those states with the consequence of losing parental rights. The risk of harming the baby or getting into legal trouble outweighs any possible benefits that may exist from smoking marijuana while pregnant. Until research can provide definite results or specific legislation is passed regarding this issue, it is best to avoid marijuana use while pregnant.

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HEALING THE POWER OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS

SEIZURE SUFFERER OVERCOMES 30 YEARS OF COMPLEX SEIZURE DISORDER WITH HEMP CBD OIL

In December 2015 Vivian Stagg experienced approximately 15 seizures. Although they had gotten more frequent over the years it wasn’t anything new for the 61-yearold bus driver from Bullhead City, Arizona. She had been having seizures for 30 years resulting from a car accident in 1988 and was finally diagnosed with complex seizure disorder in 1995. It was at that point that her doctors started her on medication and to her “it seemed like it was a guessing game. Let’s try this and let’s try that medication. They wanted to do testing and there is always a different kind of test. It might work a little while and then all of sudden the seizures start getting worse,” Stagg explains. Stagg’s seizures had become so severe and frequent she was considering brain surgery. “I was really desperate; my life was so far down. My doctor wanted to do brain surgery. The medications were causing a lot of side effects, a lot of depression. I couldn’t even be alone anymore, I couldn’t take showers alone. When I was alone I couldn’t do anything, I pretty much had to stay in bed. If my husband wasn’t home, he didn’t even want me going outside,” Stagg explains. “My personality was gone, I just wasn’t myself. I was so desperate that I was considering the brain surgery but my husband was like no way.” According to Stagg, the brain surgery held no promise and would require her to have eight holes drilled into her skull for inserting wires during the procedure. Stagg’s husband was so adamantly against brain surgery he insisted she get her daughter’s opinion before making a decision. Stagg took her husband’s advice and went to see her daughter, Rachel Spears, that year for Christmas and told her about the potential brain surgery. During that same December ’15 conversation, Stagg also mentioned to her daughter that she “had been hearing a lot of things about hemp meds and Charlotte’s Web but the thing was it was all about children, they said nothing about adults.” Stagg had tried to investigate whether Charlotte’s Web or CBD was an effective treatment for adults, but her computer research skills weren’t savvy enough for her to find an answer.

Vivian Stagg’s seizures had become so severe and frequent she was considering brain surgery before she discovered CBD hemp oil.

Spears immediately jumped on the computer saying, ‘Mom, no way are you going to let them experiment on your brain,’ recounts Stagg. Spears found a hemp CBD oil called Cibdex and “just ordered it, no questions,” recalls Stagg, who was excited but scared. “As a youngster, I had tried marijuana. I wasn’t real thrilled with it. I tried it a couple of times, it just wasn’t for me. I never got into it. So now I am 60 and all of these things are going through my head...I am considering brain surgery, and thinking what do I have to lose by trying marijuana.” Her order of Cibdex, which is made with 15.625 milligrams of hemp oil tincture from hemp cultivars with high amounts of industrial CBD, arrived within two days. Stagg relays that she “was scared, excited, anxious, but my daughter was like let’s do this, and boom boom, we pumped it in my mouth, and off shopping we went.” Stagg did experience a seizure that day but it was different from the ones she had been experiencing. “This time I was responding,” she explains. “Normally when I experience a seizure it’s like shutting off a light switch, there’s nothing there, nothing happens. I can’t hear anything, I can’t respond, I wake up totally confused, dazed, and unsure of even who I am sometimes.” This time she was totally aware of the fact that she had experienced a seizure. “My daughter was like, ‘Mom, you could even hear me.’ I couldn’t speak, but I was nodding my head in the affirmative and acknowledging that I could hear her. I stood there. I didn’t lose my muscles or anything, I stood there just staring and nodding my head. It was only a couple of minutes. I was still not confused, not dazed.” Stagg explains that after a seizure “normally the first thing I do is just go to bed because it takes so much out of

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me and I need to sleep the rest of the day.” But in spite of having a seizure, Stagg and her daughter continued shopping and then went on to dinner. “Usually I have a total loss of appetite, I won’t eat anything and we went to dinner that night. It was like a total difference within one dose,” she recalls. Stagg, who had been carefully calendaring her seizures, notes she reduced her seizures from 12 to 15 in December 2015 to between three and four by February 2016. With these results, Stagg decided against having brain surgery and instead says, “I want to scream from the mountaintops that this really works and I absolutely believe in it,” adding, “I don’t get high, I don’t get loaded. It’s a CBD oil, it has nothing to do with smoking or getting loaded. It’s a medication.” Spears was so pleased by the effectiveness of Cibdex’s hemp CBD oil, she convinced her mom to try a purer form of CBD with the hope it would eliminate her seizures completely. Spears had been reading about Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO), a pure non-GMO hemp oil, unmodified and sourced straight from a hemp plant. “My daughter wanted to try Real Scientific. The Cibdex had other oils included in it, where the Real Scientific is a paste and it is a more pure product. She’s been wanting me to try it for quite some time because it has a higher concentrate of CBD but I’m not like that,” explains Stagg, adding that she believes, “if it works, why mess with it.” Last summer Stagg went to her daughter’s house for a week so they could make the switch to RHSO. “I wanted to be at her house when we made the changeover so I could be with her and we could get the new one regulated and figure out what was going to work best for me,” offers Stagg, who reports she is “doing so well on it, I just can’t believe how good it is.” Since the medication change, Stagg has been seizurefree and has now started cutting back on pharmaceuticals prescribed by her physician. “I have weaned myself down and honestly want to wean myself down more but I’m afraid to. The thing is with these pharmaceuticals you can’t just quit taking them, you have to wean them. You can’t just quit taking these medications because they are psych medications, they are medications that mess with your brain waves and brain function,” notes Stagg. In addition to cutting back on the prescription drugs she’s been taking, Stagg also wants to become an advocate. “I can’t wait to go to Washington to tell my story. That’s my goal, I would really like to go and speak to Congress. The states are coming along but, honestly, the federal government hasn’t come that far yet. I would like to be one of those people who goes to the government and says this has made a difference in my life,” says Stagg, adding, “I have a story that really needs to be told.”

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CANNABIS STUDIES IN NEED OF PARTICIPANTS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NEEDS CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS FROM NEVADA FOR ONGOING STUDY The University of Michigan in partnership with Dr. Sue Sisley, M.D., president of Scottsdale Research Institute, is looking for 200 Nevada volunteers to participate in a cannabis pain study. The purpose of the study is to understand how medical cannabis use among patients with chronic pain affects pain management, quality of life, and use of other medications. The information provided by participants will help inform physicians, researchers, policy-makers, and patients about potential benefits and risks of cannabis as a therapeutic or recreational agent. You are eligible to participate in this study if all the following conditions are met: 1) You are 18 years of age or older. 2) You either have been using cannabis for chronic pain management for less than three months OR you plan to, but

have not started using cannabis for chronic pain management. 3) You have a medical marijuana patient card/certification or are purchasing cannabis in Nevadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal adult-use cannabis market. In this study, participants will be asked to complete online anonymous, confidential surveys at baseline (within the first week), as well as 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the initial survey. Study participants will be compensated after completing each survey: $10 after the initial survey, and $10 after each follow-up survey. If you think you will not be able to participate at all follow-up points, please do NOT participate in this survey. If you fulfill all the above criteria and are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Kevin Boehnke at kboehnke@med.umich.edu. LOCAL PHYSICIAN CONDUCTING STUDY IN NEED OF PARTICIPANTS Dr. Nick Spirtos is conducting a study in the Las Vegas area and is looking for patients suffering from pelvic or back pain, as well as chemotherapy patients with nausea and vomiting. Please phone 702.326.0585 if you are interested in finding out more or would like to participate in this research.

february | elevatenv.com 35

elevatenv.com | february

OPEN FOR BUSINESS GROW FOR VETS ADOPTS NEW NAME AND EXPANDED MISSION As of January 1 Grow for Vets U.S.A. continued its evolution by changing its name to HeroGrown. “With our new brand comes a new, broader mission and a rededication to helping more American heroes gain access to cannabis, including veterans, first responders, and their families,” explained Roger B. Martin, founder. “Over the past four years, I have been contacted by hundreds of first responders asking for help. As both a veteran and former law enforcement officer, I feel that this is the right time to answer their calls. First responders are plagued by jobrelated physical and emotional trauma, often leading to depression, addiction to deadly prescription drugs and alcohol, and suicide. We will be announcing several new, first-of-their-kind programs in the coming weeks.” CHEECH MARIN LAUNCHES NEW CANNABIS LINE IN NEVADA Redwood Cultivation, the exclusive distributor of Willie’s Reserve cannabis products in Nevada, and the only grower in Nevada to distribute a celebrity brand as well as their own line of premium cannabis products, has launched another exclusive celebrity brand. Cheech Marin, of the former comedy duo Cheech and Chong, debuted Cheech’s Private Stash with Redwood Cultivation in mid-December. Legendary for his comedic albums and movies in the 1970s and ‘80s, Marin is known for bringing marijuana into mainstream culture. In early 2018, Cheech's Private Stash pre-rolls were released in 20 Southern Nevada dispensaries.

professionals across industrial, nutritional and therapeutic hemp industries and feature attendance by state and federal government representatives spearheading current legislative changes around the future of hemp in the U.S. For more information, visit nocohempexpo.com. FIRST CBD HEMP OIL STORE AND SMOOTHIE SHOP TO OPEN Buy Legal Meds (BLM) will be the first CBD hemp oil and smoothie store in the world, according to owner Joe Vargas. Vargas plans to open the store on January 31 at 4985 W. Tropicana, #103, on the corner of Tropicana and Decatur. Vargas owns the website Buylegalmeds.com which he started in 2015 to sell CBD products online including Cloud N9ne Hemp Syrup, a 60-milligram CBD and herbal concoction Vargas developed as an alternative to the deadly codeinebased “lean” cocktails made popular by the Hip Hop community and abused by the Millennial set. Vargas says BLM’s retail store is the first of a planned chain around the Las Vegas Valley.

NOCO5 HEMP EXPO BRINGS INDUSTRY TOGETHER AT WORLD’S LARGEST HEMP TRADE SHOW Tickets are now on sale for the 5th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the largest two-day gathering of hemp thoughtleaders, speakers, producers, entrepreneurs, and exhibitors from around the globe. Taking place April 6-7 at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, Colorado, the event will showcase the latest products, innovations, research and advancements in the hemp industry worldwide. NoCo5 will offer two interactive expo halls featuring products from international brands, introduce a Farm and Agriculture Symposium to share the latest research, techniques and methodologies for industrial hemp production, and an expanded hemp investment summit for the 5,500 attendees projected this year -- an increase from 4,700 in 2017. The $2 billion hemp industry worldwide continues to gain increased attention. This year’s NoCo5 will draw

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DISPENSARY MAP A Guide to Cannabis in Southern Nevada

RENO

PECOS RD

JONES BLVD

PEBBLE RD

CACTUS AVE

K EP OS . R HENDERSON T S MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

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LAUGHLIN

D BLV AS VEG

18 AVE

Y RACETRACK RD

PKW AD E ME

MARYLAND PKWY

TER NA

WES

LAS

DESERT INN RD

LAK

29b

6TH ST

COMMERCE ST MAIN ST 3RD ST

RANCHO DR

AVE RIA UST

IND

HIG

L RD

GE SUNRSIDPKWY HEIGHT

16b

PARADISE RD

NELLIS BLVD

HLA

12b

215

GIBSON RD

PECOS RD

SANDHILL RD

HENDERSON

31b 16a

STEPHANIE ST

DECATUR BLVD

HIG SO HL UTH AN ER DS N PK W

SET

WARM SPRINGS RD

WINDMILL LN

SAM BOYD STADIUM

8b SUN

WIGWAM PKWY

SILVERADO RANCH BLVD

515

PAHRUMP

E DI

BLU

DR MON

KAREN AVE

LLY

RUSSELL RD

SUNSET COUNTY PARK

SAHARA AVE

WINDMILL LN

OAKEY BLVD

8a 13 24 ST. LOUIS AVE

E TWAIN

PKWY

MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GREEN DISTRICT

FLAMINGO RD

SUNSET RD

LAMB BLVD

22 MARYLAND PKWY

VEG

30b

LAS VEGAS TROPICANA AVE

DESERT INN RD

EASTERN AVE

AS B

23a

NELLIS BLVD

SAHARA AVE

STR

23a

215

WARM SPRINGS RD

SUNSET RD

GREEN VALLEY

RUSSELL RD

MARYLAND PKWY

PECOS RD

N ST

MAI

8c 29a

THE

9 28

JONES BLVD

RAINBOW BLVD

BUFFALO DR

FLAMINGO RD

CHARLESTON BLVD

4b DESERT INN RD

30a

32b 5b 3 20

3 20

SAHARA AVE

BONANZA RD

BERMUDA RD

DURANGO DR

FT APACHE RD

TOWN CENTER DR

HUALAPAI WAY

SAHARA AVE

TROPICANA AVE

160

OWENS AVE WASHINGTON AVE

31a

OAKEY BLVD

32b

CHARLESTON BLVD

LAKE MEAD BLVD

LVD

ALTA DR

WASHINGTON AVE

CHARLESTON BLVD

23b CAMINO AL NORTE / MLK

215

SIMMONS ST

VEGAS DR

RTH NO LVD NELLIS B AS AIR FORCE VEG LAS BASE

N 5TH LOS EE R D

DECATUR BLVD

RAINBOW BLVD

BUFFALO DR

CAREY AVE BLVD

159

NORTH LAS VEGAS AIRPORT

CRAIG RD

32a

LAS

LIN

NORTH LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS BLVD SOUTH

WASHBURN RD

DECATUR BLVD

MESQUITE

CENTENNIAL PKWY

LAKE ME AD

ANN RD

HO NC RA

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

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Elevating the Conversation

with Antuanette Gomez, founder of Pleasure Peaks

ntuanette Gomez, founder of Pleasure Peaks, is self-taught in the matters of sexual well-being and cannabis. She launched her Toronto-based company in April 2016 and describes it as “an all-encompassing brand of sex, cannabis and spirituality.” With recreational cannabis becoming legal in Canada on July 1, Gomez is positioning her company for growth since consumers will be able to buy Pleasure Peaks’ products in government-owned stores. She plans to expand the company’s line of female sexual health products as well as develop products on an international level for women with endometriosis.

How do you help women unlock their erotic energy? I encourage tantric investigation, which is basically an overall assessment of yourself, your life, and your sexual life. Your sexual life starts at a very young age, our first loves are our parents. There’s a huge connection between our parents and our sex life. It’s really important to be aware of those things if you really want to take charge of your sexuality, which I encourage every woman to do. We learn so much from ourselves when we really reflect on the things that we have gone through. We are too busy to really digest some things that have happened to us. A lot of us make childish decisions based on our upbringing and that has to change. How does a cannabis-infused lubricant affect a woman’s pleasure points? THC is known for increasing intimacy because it’s an amazing stimulant for your pleasure points, especially your clitoris. It’s a very interesting feeling. I remember the first time I did some trial testing I learned you can get your vagina high. You’re not high but your vagina can get really high. When that happens you just have to lie down because you are so relaxed in that region that you don’t want to do anything, which is really cool if you are trying to do any kind of sexual healing or sexual reflection with a yoni egg. What should someone expect when they use a cannabis lubricant? A really small dosage of oil is applied directly on the clitoris and it only takes a minute or two to get a full effect because the vagina has an incredible mucosa. It goes directly into our bloodstream. It processes our cannabinoids completely different. You feel it faster, it’s a very tingly sensation and you feel a lot of excitement. I love that THC offers that. If a couple wanted to up their sex game, what would you recommend? I think every couple should be elevating their sex life with cannabis every so often. It’s always good to add something

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new and exciting to the bedroom. Cannabis is great because you can use it in so many different forms and applications. You can use it as a topical and have a really sensual massage, you can even have a tantric massage using those Zen erotic lines. We all use it for different reasons. We have women and men who use it to deal with past sexual trauma. CBD is known for dealing with PTSD and is great for people with sexual trauma to help alleviate those anxieties and really be present in the bedroom with their partner. Do you have a favorite ritual you follow to get yourself in the mood? I like edibles to get me in the mood. They make me feel really sexy. I like low-dose chocolates like 10mg because they make me feel a little bit more fun and playful. And chocolate and cannabis are both natural aphrodisiacs. A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found cannabis users have more sex than their non-consuming peers. Your thoughts? I think couples who enjoy cannabis together are a little bit more honest and open. Cannabis has been used in tantra for thousands of years because it’s known for getting rid of the ego. It’s known for showing your true soul to other people and for bringing out your most intimate self. I feel like cannabis definitely brings your conscious side out and when we do that with our loved ones, our intimacy is way higher and way more appreciated and more loved. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, what advice do you have for women who have never used an erotic cannabis oil? One rule with ANY cannabis product: start small, go slow. Our endocannabinoid is just as unique as a fingerprint so no one thing will work for everyone. Try one of our lubes, but if you are getting an oil-based one make sure to get a condom that’s nonlatex because they won’t be compatible. To read our entire interview with Antuanette Gomez, visit elevatenv.com/Elevating_the_Conversation