Elevate March 2021 by Elevate Nevada Magazine

MARCH 2021

SAVVY CANNABIS INVESTORS SEE POTENTIAL TO MAKE POT O’ GOLD IN STOCK MARKET

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH A CANNASTYLE RAINBOW OF FLAVORS AND FEELINGS

IN D O Y R O Y FI U N R O F U D F I O N R Y L U D F O AV N R Y L U O D F O A R R R Y L U VO F F O AV R R LAFI L U O F N R AV R R L FI VO D A N F F Y O R V Y I F D L N R A IN O Y F OU O V U D F V D R O IN R O R Y I O

V FR A O L F V R A IN F V IN O D R Y

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 /Photographers: Justin Alexander, Richard S. Gubbe, Alice Little, Tatiana Louder , Melissa Parks, Laurie Wolf General Sales Manager: Mark Damkroeger, mark@elevatenv.com

ELEVATION PUBLISHING LLC Chief Financial Officer Cassandra Lupo FINE THE AGENCY Partner Kelli Maruca, kelli@finetheagency.com

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It’s been a year. An entire year since our lives lurched into a grim state of pause. Set in an unimaginable state of suspension that came with a whole new lexicon. Our new vocabulary started with coronavirus, naturally. The word was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in a special release of new words in March 2020, giving coronavirus the distinction of being the fastest term to go from coinage to inclusion in a Merriam-Webster dictionary—the process took only 34 days. Another word just as quickly came into our collective consciousness. As the reality of our new normal set in quicker than a Covid-19 infection, policy responses received as much attention as medical analyses of the new disease. Accordingly, the biggest increase in lookups for one of the most important terms in this new circumstance, quarantine, was on March 20th. There was interest in this word before the stay-at-home orders became a reality in the U.S. With news reports of outbreaks on cruise ships in early February triggering lookups, quarantine was looked up 1,856% more frequently in 2020 than in 2019. That was just the beginning. When our world shut down in mid-March, we were about to become extremely familiar with terms and concepts that soon dominated our everyday conversations: flattening the curve, social distancing, community spread, contact tracing, asymptomatic, wet market, hotspot, embers and clusters. Then there was the slew of acronyms we know so well, they now roll off our tongues like listing the symptoms of coronavirus: PPE, PPP, WHO, CDC, DETR, PUA and, of course, WFH, which became the new normal for many of us. I’m still WFH, off my ironing board, no less (I know, I’m SMH too but it really is the perfect height). LOL.

Of course there was the unavoidable slang that accompanied our new pandemic lifestyle. Early on in our newly adopted Covid-sphere many of us idled through our days throwing back quarantinis while playing trivia on Zoom with our quaranteams or doing puzzles with our pod. As weeks turned into months and our pandemic lives dragged on, we inevitably encountered maskholes, covidiots, and moronavirus. If you were lucky, you escaped maskcne, doom scrolling and participating in coronacations. The new form of communication we now used to conference in with our co-workers, check in with family members, and happy hour virtually with our friends had its own glossary and set of etiquette. You had to be cognizant of not becoming Zoomnotic, beware of lurking Zoombombers, and careful not to be Zumped, dumped over Zoom. It should come as no surprise that pandemic would become 2020’s word of the year. It certainly defined everything about the year. The first big spike in Merriam Webster’s lookups for pandemic took place February 3rd, the same day that the first Covid-19 patient in the U.S. was released from a Seattle hospital. On March 11th, the WHO officially declared “that Covid-19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” and this is the day that pandemic saw the single largest spike in dictionary traffic in 2020, showing an increase of 115,806% over lookups on that day in 2019. With our lives defined by pandemic and quarantine, literally, for the last year I’m looking forward to this year as we come out of this social recession, do some revenge travel, get our vaccine stamps, and learn a new set of words to define 2021.

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CONTENTS

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march 2021 | elevatenv.com 5

ONE YEAR LATER: THE PANDEMIC SURPRISE While much loss littered the landscape of 2020’s Covid-sphere, cannabis came away a winner

elevatenv.com | march 2021

by Tatiana Louder

ver the politician, cannabis won in every U.S. state that it went on the legalization ballot for during the 2020 election. In November voters pulled the lever to legalize medical or adult-use cannabis in New Jersey, Arizona, South Dakota, Vermont, and Montana which equates to one in three Americans living in a state with legal adult-use cannabis once they come online. But the winning began before November. In mid-March as COVID-19 restrictions led governors to trim businesses down to only the most essential, marijuana dispensaries and delivery services stayed off the chopping block in California and heralded the precious “essential” designation in many states with Nevada among them. Meanwhile, restaurants, schools, gyms, recreation centers, retail stores, salons and barbers fell like dominoes. Deemed nonessential. With both economic and societal health in mind, leaders in cannabis legal states saw the fortuitous forest through the trees of cannabis propaganda but that wasn’t always the case. When Ngaio Bealum, cannabis comedian, “chronnoisseur,” and Mr. Weed himself on Netflix’s marijuana cooking show, “Cooking on High,” began combating marijuana propaganda in the 1990s, the plant was still largely carrying its outlaw label making it not only nonessential, but also deeply stigmatized.

2019, according to end-of-year data from Seattle-based cannabis analytics firm Headset. Social isolation has even proven a boon as brands like Her Highness pander to the new normal, offering a pack of pre-rolled joints called Quarantine Queen. The pandemic has generated another wave of the green rush as marijuana sees widening legislative recognition as a recession-proof, medically holistic, green cash cow. “People are finally coming around. People are finally noticing that it helps people, and people are looking at the costs associated with cannabis criminalization...” Bealum says. “It comes down to money. If they [states] realize they can make more money with weed being legal than weed being illegal, then that’s what they’re gonna do. States wanna sell weed for the same reason that other people wanna sell weed, and that’s you need a little bit more money. You need a side hustle... Now the state needs a side hustle… This is kind of a heavy thing to say, I guess, but if you look at the state as a gangster, we’re just giving them a cut. Right? So it’s protected. Here’s your cut of the weed game.” For stoners who exist on more spiritual and woo-woo vibrations, perhaps it is no coincidence that cannabis is seeing its magical ascension in tandem with the Age of Aquarius 2.0. Pop culture-wise, the first time around it was the era of peace, love and hippies, but many modern astrologers believe it is a universal rise in consciousness, ushered in by the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21, 2020. After all, Bealum emphasizes,

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“We’ve been fighting against propaganda, horrible anticannabis propaganda for 40-50 years. I’ve been a cannabis activist since the ‘90s, and, you know they tried to legalize weed in the ‘60s and the ‘70s,” Bealum says. In addition to all green lights on state voting ballots last fall, more fairy dust was sprinkled over the world of cannabis users and legalization, as Illinois reached 500,000 expunged cases for “low-level cannabis-related records,” according to a New Year’s Eve tweet by the state’s Governor JB Pritzker. “And they’re looking to drop more charges and let more people out of jail. And that’s beautiful,” Bealum says. It doesn’t take a weed genius to see that The Man has kept cannabis down and defeated. Philosophy professor Dr. Ali Mohsen takes a view from a philosopher’s stone instead of a stoner’s. “In general, we see that the ruling class acts for the sake of their own interests and preserving political power. The criminalization of cannabis and racist policing strategies have resulted in disenfranchising a lot of Black and brown people, which along with gerrymandering and voter suppression, has led to the preservation of white supremacy. And we saw what happened in DC when white supremacy is threatened…” Quarantine, though, has proven the opposite of a threat to cannabis legalization, even shoring up its legitimization. Sales are at an all-time high. Edibles alone grew by 60 percent across seven state markets – to $1.23 billion in 2020 from $767 million in

elevatenv.com | march 2021 8

it was never just the weed that the Nixon administration was after in the first place. “That was the whole basis of the war on drugs, was Nixon wanted to go after the hippies, and that was one of the easiest ways to do it. Just throw ‘em in jail, and now you’ve neutralized a threat...the thing with weed is, it opens your consciousness, it makes you less selfish...And then you start to see things that are happening and you wanna try to fix, and things that should be better...I think it goes back to that Nixon thing happening…” “The hippies were mostly right,” Bealum continues. “If we listened to the hippies, we’d have socialized healthcare, we fu%$& would be having small farms and have natural organic food for everybody. Schools would be good, everybody would be learning what they want. We’d be a lot better off as a society.” The journey has been one of decades, ballots, and states. While cannabis proponents like Bealum believe the trend toward legitimization and legalization will continue, still, there are those who vehemently oppose the movement. Mohsen finds that “the arguments against cannabis seem misinformed and biased, stemming from the racist fear mongering of the 20th century. Stigmas stick unfortunately, but with more visibility comes awareness and understanding...with more and more states legalizing recreational use, it’s only a matter of

time before the federal government follows.” For some, opposition lies in cannabis’ association with addiction, to which Bealum counters, “Weed can be a crutch. If you’re using weed to avoid reality rather than enjoy reality, you might want to look at that…but shit, you can use anything to do that. You can do too much hot yoga, you can use the Peloton to avoid reality, you can use jogging to avoid reality.” The focus, he thinks, should be on the “use or misuse” of anything that causes the brain to release feel-good hormones like adrenalines, endorphins, serotonins, or cannabinoids. As for the gateway drug argument, Bealum refutes, “studies show that you can use weed to get away from heroin or opiates. In addition, weed is a big deal in avoiding the debilitating side effects of withdrawal. There are studies on that.” Cannabis is certainly not the first thing the U.S. has taken time to make up its mind about. But, for a country built on atall-costs agriculture, and still largely composed of farmlands, what’s another cash crop? Especially one auspiciously arriving just in time to help with pandemic deficits while at the same time delivering a natural elixir to an anxiety laden nation. Or for those more mindful of social causes, it’s a felicitous answer to America’s opiate addiction crisis. Seems cannabis handily wins elections because it’s got something for everyone—no matter your political stripe or motivation.

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march | elevatenv.com 9

KISS ME I’M HIGHRISH Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a rainbow of flavors and feelings

elevatenv.com | march 2021

By Justin Alexander

t. Patrick’s Day has long been hailed as a day to drink beer, wear green, do some pinching of those dressed irresponsibly, and generally celebrate Irish culture. At elevate, we also see the lauded holiday as a celebration of pot (o’ gold), green and smoking of pipes. Whether it’s an infused beer, eating a rainbow (edible) or smoking some green or even golden strains with red-orange hairs akin to a leprechaun, we have assembled a pot load of celebratory St. Paddy’s products that will have users doing a jig through a meadow of four-leaf clover on March 17th.

PANNA’S RAINBOW PIE SHATTER If you are searching for your St. Patrick’s Day pot of gold, you’ll likely find it by trying Rainbow Pie Shatter and dabbing into an energetic and fun mindset. Upon smoking, Rainbow Pie delivers a burst of cerebral energy and the giggles—and you might even be

inspired to paint your face green and hunt for shamrocks. A hybrid mix of Zkittlez and Key Lime Pie, “Rainbow Pie Shatter will take you straight to the end of any rainbows and allow you to ward off the leprechauns protecting their gold, so you can take what is yours,” says Rob Wright, director of production for Panna. “Plus, with the genetics of this product including Key Lime Pie…Key Lime Pie on St. Paddy’s Day is called Shamrock Pie. Quite fitting.” As for terpenes, limonene is the most abundant in Rainbow Pie, which is a terpene that smells like citrus, helps with mood, and provides lots of energy that will carry users from day to night festivities. Rainbow Pie also has caryophyllene, which “is the only terpene that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system directly. It smells spicy, is

good for anti-inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and therefore keeps your body dancing, singing, and laughing through the night,” Wright says. “It’s probably one of the best terpenes in cannabis. Perfect for the day we all claim to be 100 percent Irish.” Finally, on the terpene front, linalool smells like spring flowers with a spicy note, and is good for anxiety and is also found in lavender. “Perfect for dealing with the large crowds and lines for those who are anxiety ridden in situations such as St. Paddy’s day parties,” Wright says. Luck of the Irish, indeed.

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NLVO GOLD PURPLE PUNCH Something that pairs well with Guinness is always top of mind when considering St. Patrick’s Day activities. The same goes for how you

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You certainly don’t want to be caught off guard without some green on St. Patrick’s Day and that is why the convenient green apple gummies from Valhalla Confections are a perfect edible accessory— maximizing flavor and potency. Just think of them as “pinch” insurance. In addition to their true taste, which is achieved by using Fuji apple flavoring, the gummies also have green tea to add some extra pep in your step. “These gummies have 10mg of THC which, to most people, will just give them that psychoactive effect. But for some people that 10 mg of THC with the added green tea and pinene, can make you feel more uplifted, creative, and/or energetic,” says The Apothecarium’s Hailey Stone. Valhalla’s green apple gummies allow you to explore the leprechaun magic of pinene. “These gummies have a natural terpene added to the mix: a-Pinene. Pinene is a great terpene for boosting your mood or feeling creative and upbeat which is perfect for feeling celebratory,” Stone says, noting users can expect to be uplifted and boosted about an hour after consuming.

elevatenv.com | march 2021

medicate on this Irish holiday. While the Purple Punch strain from NLVO is visually beautiful and tasty, it also complements the thick, frothy beer that is often identified with the holiday—a pint of Guinness. With its sweet dessert flavor profile of berries and grape, Purple Punch pleases many palates. This deliciously distinct strain allows users to absorb feelings of relaxation and general happiness that come in waves while enjoying how it dances across the taste buds like candy. Similar to the chocolate notes in a swig of Guinness. “Purple Punch is flavorful and aromatic,” says Ron Chambers, Flower One grower. “It has uplifting yet relaxed effects and favors a talkative, lively gathering.” High in caryophyllene, Purple Punch is a cross between Larry OG x Grandaddy Purple and was originally bred by Supernova Gardens in Hawaii. “Caryophyllene is unique in that it binds with CB2 receptors making it highly successful at relieving aches and pains,” Chambers says.

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Loaded with terpenes and a high percentage of THC, Sky Resin is for everyone from concentrate novices to dedicated dabbers. “Sky Resin is a terpene packed concentrate, which makes it incredible for trying out and experiencing different terpene levels,” says Silver Sage Wellness’ Leslie Vorhees. From the Sky Resin collection, Strawberry Beltz is a cross of Strawberry Glue and Rainbow Beltz. With notable levels of caryophyllene, limonene and humulene, Strawberry Beltz is mood-boosting and stimulating for those looking for a fun and giggly effect. While Double Jeopardy, a cross between Bio-Jesus, GG #4, and Sour Diesel, is high in limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene. “Limonene and caryophyllene are uplifting and myrcene has great antianxiety and pain-relieving qualities, so this is perfect for someone who wants to relax and ease their mind,” says Vorhees. Lemon Punch, a 50-50 hybrid, hails from genetics of Lemonade Dream and Purple Punch. It takes care of aches and pains and tastes like a fruity lemon bar.

SELECT ELITE GUMMIES IN SWEET SPICE Small but mighty, Select Elite Gummies in Sweet Spice are the perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day. “Wrapped in green packaging, the gummies are infused with our

FLORAVEGA’S KIEF Every leprechaun loves a little magic and that is what you get when dusting your favorite bowl or joint with kief. “It’s a little pot of gold to add to your smoke,” says FloraVega’s Sam McAdam, who adds that, “it accelerates the unwind.” FloraVega kief punches up your smoke without compromising the flavor or effects. With this brand of kief, you will get what you expect as they are all strain specific. “Users can match up their favorite flower with Kief if they chose to,” McAdam says. “It is a great way to add some extra THC to your experience and to help add some potency.” While increased potency and higher THC intensifies effects, it also conserves the amount of cannabis that is consumed—a win-win in the bowl, joint, and for the pocketbook.

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highly-concentrated broad-spectrum oil to provide a taste that doesn’t just taste good, but feels good too,” explains Regional Marketing Director Kristen Everhart of Curaleaf. “Select Elite Gummies are made with all-natural fruit flavoring for a bold, real fruit flavor and no added coloring. At 10mg of THC per piece, Select Elite Gummies provide a taste you can feel.” A hybrid variety that allows for a balanced full-body high, Select Elite Gummies in Sweet Spice are equally as energizing as they are euphoric. “Elite Gummies are made with the same quality oil that people have come to know and love from Select. Our customers love the gummies for their delicious formulation that is made with no artificial flavors or colors, as well as their precise and calibrated effects,” Everhart says. “We went through months of testing to find the most delicious fruit flavors and pairings. Sweet Spice is one of our more adventurous flavor offerings with jalapeño and mango flavored gummies.”

elevatenv.com | march 2021

LEAF & VINE’S RED HEADED STRANGER VAPE The name says it all. “Leprechauns are a staple of St. Patrick’s Day and what strain describes a leprechaun better than Red Headed Stranger,” offers Leaf & Vine’s Zach Brengman. If the name sounds familiar it should, Red Headed Stranger was named after the 1975 album by Willie Nelson and is also a nickname for the country music legend. If all you want to do is relax and unwind this St. Patrick’s Day, then Red Headed Stranger is perfect for you. “With a whopping 29mg/g of myrcene this will surely put you back in your seat. It is also very effective for anxiety and aches and pains,” says Brengman. “It is also a fan favorite.” A cross between William’s Wonder and Tom Hill’s Haze, Red Headed Stranger is typically sativa leaning but the significant amount of myrcene evens it out lending a predisposition to indica properties. “Myrcene is by far the most dominant terpene in this product but since it is crossed with a Haze, there is also a large amount of sativa terps,” says Brengman. “There is 8mg/g of alpha pinene and 8mg/g of limonene for a total of 5.67 percent terpenes in this vape. These are real cannabis derived terpenes, we never use “natural” or “botanical” terpenes.” Recreationally, expect a cerebral and creative feeling from the pinene and limonene together. Medicinally, the positive effects are relief from aches, pains, swelling, anxiety, and sleep. A high terpene count doesn’t mean lower THC—this vape has it all, testing just over 86 percent THC—something the original Red Headed Stranger would appreciate.

CAMP’S ANIMAL FACE LIVE ROSIN CAMP’s Live Rosin comes in a gilded package, indicating the first of many surprises—there’s plenty more gold in this pot. “The flavor profile is out of this world; the moment you open the jar, the smell resonates in the room,

ORANGE COOKIES AND SUN GOD BY FLEUR Orange Cookies and Sun God are two vibrant strains from Fleur that will give your St. Patrick’s Day a punch. “Orange Cookies is a very uplifting happy strain, perfect for a day of celebration,” says Evergreen Organix’s Jerry Velarde. “Sun God makes a good strain for St. Patrick’s Day because it keeps you uplifted for a night of fun.” With genetics of Orange Juice crossed with Girl Scout Cookies, Orange Cookies boasts limonene, caryophyllene and linalool and pairs well with Blue Moon, Shock Top, or Flat Tire beer with an orange wedge. “The terpene that stands out the most in this strain would be the limonene because Orange Cookies has a very pungent

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march 2021 | elevatenv.com 15

giving you a pungent blast of gas,” says Matthew Janz of Nevada Organic Remedies. “The Animal Face Live Rosin is not only beautiful to look at but easy to handle. Its flavor is also a true translation from flower to rosin, leading for a delicious dabbing experience from inhale to exhale. And of course, with Animal Face already being a heavy hitter, the effects from the concentrated Live Rosin absolutely smack.” Animal Face, a cross between Face Off OG and Animal Mints, is indica-hybrid heavy with betacaryophyllene, limonene and linalool. It helps you relax and unwind. The high concentration of betacaryophyllene may aid in reducing tension and inflammation, the linalool may help with relaxation, and the limonene may help with mood elevation. There is also THC-a present in this strain. “We never heat our rosin above 120 degrees F, which preserves a wider range of terpenes that you won’t normally find in concentrates,” reports Janz. “Combining Animal Face’s strong lineage with the entourage effect, synergistically maximizing its cannabinoid and terpene profile, creates the perfect strain for an equally relaxing and joy-inducing celebration.” Animal Face is a heavy high that sits right behind your eyes, leading you to a blissfully relaxed state throughout the experience. Some users report Animal Face live rosin provides relief for mild pain, moderate inflammation reduction, and help with managing stress.

Orange Creamsicle smell and taste,” he says, noting Orange Cookies is good for anyone needing help with focus, pain, and relaxation and it is a great strain to make you smile and enjoy any task at hand. In the other bowl, Sun God is a hybrid sativa dominant strain with genetics that include landrace strain Michoacán crossed with a Mimosa Durban Poison cross. This strain is great for fun and focus and is a sativa without the raciness. It leads with limonene, linalool and myrcene. Bisabolol, caryophyllene, and pinene follow behind. “While the limonene is high, the linalool is the more sought-after terpene. We have had a lot of people requesting strains with linalool in them,” Velarde says. Linalool assists the limonene in fighting off anxiety. Sun God is a good choice for when you need to get a lot accomplished but need a little pain relief at the same time.

elevatenv.com | march 2021

OMG THC’S MINT CHOCOLATE BAR — SHAMROCK EDITION

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This seasonal mint and milk chocolate bar dubbed the Shamrock Edition has been made especially for St. Patrick’s Day with celebratory packaging of clovers and cannabis. The chocolate is infused with cannabis distillate, which is odorless and tasteless, so the rich chocolate takes center stage. “We have an actual chocolatier on staff, and he makes these chocolates by hand with love—including the decorative green squiggle in each one,” says Stephanie Magurno COO/Controller of THC Production, LLC. “OMG THC uses real mint essence in these chocolate bars—no artificial mint ‘flavoring’—so they are damn delicious.” With 10 servings in each bar, you can easily share with friends. Users can break off a serving and pass it on, so you don’t have to worry about sharing a glass piece or a pre-roll in the time of COVID-19. “The onset of effects usually takes place within 45 minutes—so it’s comparable to drinking a beer. In general, it is a great way to unwind and celebrate in a relaxed setting with friends,” Magurno says, noting medical patients enjoy this product because it is effective for combating anxiety and promoting good sleep.

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GREEN SMOOTHIES

BY CHEFS MELISSA PARKS AND LAURIE WOLF

elevatenv.com | march 2021

Really go for the green this month and whip up a green smoothie for yourself. These healthy smoothie recipes come from “Herb: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis” courtesy of chefs Melissa Parks and Laurie Wolf. They are high in essential ingredients, and the addition of avocado makes them smooth and creamy. If you like your smoothies extra-frosty, throw a few ice cubes in the blender along with the rest of the ingredients.

PISTACHIO-LIME SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS (2 SERVINGS) 1-1/2 cups almond milk 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted 1 small banana, sliced 1 whole lime, cut in chunks ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 large limes) or concentrate ¼ cup shelled, unsalted pistachios, plus 1 Tbsp. chopped pistachios for garnish 2 to 4 Tbsp. honey (depending on how sweet you like it) 2 tsp. canna-coconut oil

DIRECTIONS: Put all ingredients except for chopped pistachios in a blender and blend on medium speed until smooth. Divide smoothie between two glasses and garnish each with ½ tablespoon of pistachios.

GREEN & OH-SO-GROOVY SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS (2 SERVINGS) 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted 1 cup water 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 cup packed fresh spinach* ½ cup packed fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice 2 Tbsp. agave nectar 2 tsp. canna-coconut oil *substitute any kind of kale (steamed and chopped) for spinach.

DIRECTIONS: Put avocados in a blender along with water and lemon juice. Blend on medium speed until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Divide smoothie between two glasses.

Please remember when cooking with 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.

march 2021 | elevatenv.com 19

elevatenv.com | march 2021 20

Leapinœ’ Leprechauns Pot O’ Gold Awaits Savvy Cannabis Investors Hunting for Stocks with Four-Leaf Clover Status By Richard S. Gubbe

hat color is the coin in your stock pot at the end of the rainbow? Are there gold doubloons or silver dollars inside? How about a bag of green? Or will your pot contain a brown bag of rocks? Make the right call and your rainbow stock will turn to glittering gold coinage. Make the wrong one and red ink flashes across the sky. For those with a little luck of the Irish, the market is seeing a gold rush like the tech boom in the ‘80s with “pot” stocks. Pot stocks are not investments in kitchenware or a way to make Irish stew. They are precarious—leading to a big payday or an empty wish. Cannabis companies trading on exchanges in the U.S. and Canada have a mind of their own, not conforming to the mainstream rank-and-file Wall Street stocks. When cannabis companies were first coming on the market from initial public offerings, they were treated as somewhat of a joke and were trading in the high-risk playground. All those who handled weed and most ancillary business were Canadian companies because of the friendly legalities in the Great White North and the ability to be taken into a Canadian stock exchange.

For those rolling the pot dice early, stocks were hit and miss. At the outset, only pharmaceutical-based stocks were allowed on the three American exchanges. IPOs were popping up like a Whac-A-Mole game but were not taken seriously. Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S&P chose not to allow companies that dealt in marijuana. Most ancillary companies had a hard time as well, even though the products they sold were totally legal. Any company with anything to do with cannabis could wake up to find that banking avenues were closed to them for no reason other than it was discovered they sold pot to people.

THE BIG SHIFT In the early 2021 market, many pot stocks have been on fire and have become a legitimate play in the world of high-risk financial gaming. Many large pot stocks have made their way to American exchanges and are fair game to U.S. traders who were shut out by trading sites that prohibited Canadian offerings. Those who took their profits from successful IPOs such as Canopy and Tilray, took the money and ran, but have recently returned to the fray. But the market proved to be as up and down as a Caesars Palace room elevator. Upper-floor stocks

march 2021

LET THE SPECULATION BEGIN The 2020 market year was a disaster for many pot holders. With the Canadian stocks falling like a rock in water, there was little room to hide. Many investors took losses while the market surged in other areas. Then came the magic of the Democratic Party that promised to withdraw cannabis from the scheduled drug list if granted the White House. Cannabis either will be removed totally from the list, or at the least, benefit from legislation that opens legal banking for cannabis companies. Many investors viewed the cash-only business as a risk and stayed away.

As election day in America grew closer last fall, stock prices began to slowly rise merely upon speculation of a blue win. Most cannabis investors, whether using wishful thinking or market savvy, started to scoop up American stocks and the few remaining Canadian companies worth owning. Canadian companies do not have the growth potential of American companies because of a small population and logistics challenges. They often bought rights to overseas licenses that are speculative at best. Only those with American licenses and strong assets, along with big investments coming in, will grow. Brick-and-mortar assets were far less risky.

POT & POLITICS The dramatic shift in the political climate in the United States has flip-flopped stocks from joke to serious drama with politics, not a leprechaun, the driving force for those in the know. A faint rainbow can be seen in the distance as promises begin to turn into action. Pres. Joe Biden can circumvent legislation by creating an executive order withdrawing cannabis from the schedule of harmful drugs list. That, however, is not permanent law, needing legislation in order not to be overturned in four years.

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settled in at mid-level in the $30s and $40s after Canopy hit the low $50s. Wise traders sold high, some even buying again after the price dropped drastically. Canopy’s had shifts five times its value, rebounding from a low of $9 for a share last October after peaking over $50 a share in 2019 and nestling now in the $40s. Tilray crashed from a high near $145 to a frightening $30, then went shooting up in the $60s, only to drop more than 30 percent in one morning in mid-February. Tilray and Canopy are the epitome of volatility.

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Senate Majority Leader Schumer, along with Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Cory Booker of New Jersey, said in a joint statement Feb. 3 that they would introduce legislation in the coming weeks. On Senate stationery, the following was issued: “As states continue to legalize marijuana, we must also enact measures that will lift people who were unfairly targeted in the War on Drugs. We are committed to working together to put forward and advance comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but also undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory policies. The Senate will make consideration of these reforms a priority. In the early part of this year, we will release a unified discussion draft on comprehensive reform to ensure restorative justice, protect public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations.” Vice President Kamala Harris is close with U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland, CA. Rep. Lee is a pro at writing cannabis legislation. Her mother made her promise on her deathbed that she would push marijuana to become legal to help those in need of benefiting from the medicine it brings. Rep. Lee wrote the Safe Banking Act, which sat on Mitch McConnel’s desk in the Senate, yet to see the light of day. Even though Sen. McConnell’s state of Kentucky is a hemp friendly state, McConnell had no taste for legalizing weed. McConnell, however, is out as Senate Majority Leader and it will be up to new Majority Leader Schumer of New York to bring a safe banking bill, a de-scheduling bill or the promised comprehensive bill up for a vote.

WHO’S GOT GAME? Investors are always looking for the next hot thing. Whether through legislation or executive order, active and more attentive investors see a green-dominant rainbow. As soon as the day after the election, cannabis stocks were climbing, even on days when the Dow Jones lost 300 to 600 points, proving the volatility of the traditional market has not shown to be related to cannabis stocks. They have a path of their own. The mere speculation of legality changes has led to surging prices for many potters, but not all. Tilray and Canopy formed the most tech boom-like IPOs in the early going. In the last two months, pot stocks such as Green Thumb, Curaleaf, Cresco Labs, Planet 13 and TerrAscend have begun to soar, often doubling, or tripling in value most likely based upon speculation of legality in the U.S. But pot stock giants such as Aurora and Tilray haven’t had the same explosion as others, with Canopy slowing climbing the ladder yet again. Aurora and Tilray have tumbled dramatically, and Aurora had just begun to recover in early February. Tilray has fallen nearly $90 per share to $29. The wise cannabis traders are setting their sights mostly on companies in the United States with a high ceiling. Only TerrAscend is a true Canadian company, yet their rise can

be attributed to U.S. interests in New York and New Jersey. Cannabis companies are now coveted for their number of dispensary sites, production facilities and grow houses in the U.S. where companies like Green Thumb are collecting them like Mario snags gold coins. Foreign licenses, research facilities, and a lack of brick-and-mortar sites have shifted investor options.

HOME-GROWN STOCKS Three of the most up-and-coming stocks have Nevada ties. Green Thumb Industries, Curaleaf and upstart Planet 13 operate heavily in the Silver State. In the early days of the market, no one took these three stocks seriously. Planet 13 had an IPO under $3 and slid downward after opening. All three of these stocks have more than doubled in value in the past few months and show no signs of slowing down. Cresco Labs is another big U.S. player. As Aurora, Tilray, and Aphria struggled, most investors got squeamish. But investors are true gamblers and continue their quest for gold. The savvy market investor would rather buy a $10 stock and watch it grow to $40 than buy a $60 stock they hope hits $75. Claims of people who say they made hundreds of thousands of dollars in a short amount of time at the beginning are true if they bought on the ground floor. Canopy launched at $9, for instance.

POT PICKS WITH POTENTIAL As bigger stocks have moved into bigger marketplaces, there are many young upstarts ready to make a move. Some stood out above others because their value wasn’t in research or ancillary products. Ianthus, for instance, looked promising approaching $6 but is now trading under .50 cents. The following five stocks have the potential for a meteoric rise. Planet 13: One potential rainbow surfer is Planet 13. Off to a modest start, Planet 13 has been climbing and has tripled its value in the past couple months, reaching to a value buy at $4.50-a-share that has risen to more than $8 as elevate went to press. Nevada-based Planet 13, with its reasonable price, could be a stock that gets driven upward of $50, spurred by its announced second mega operation, this one in California with its Orange County SuperStore set to mimic or surpass its vast Las Vegas store. Once complete, the 55,000-square-foot facility will be comprised of 16,500 square feet of dispensary space with additional space reserved for ancillary stores. Planet 13 is a vertically integrated company with shares that trade on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE) under the symbol PLTH and OTCQX under the symbol PLNHF. Green Thumb Industries: The most impressive price jump has been by Green Thumb. Last June, Green Thumb

march 2021 | elevatenv.com 23

Industries opened its fifth Essence brand store in Las Vegas and now has a whopping 98 retail stores in the U.S. Trading on the Canadian market OTCQX International, GTI opened its IPO in August 2017 at $5. In what is considered a colossal rise, the stock went on a 52-week tear of $3.69 per share up to more than $39 at press time. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including Beboe, Dogwalkers, Dr. Solomon’s and The Feel Collection. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called Rise. Headquartered in Chicago, Green Thumb has 13 manufacturing facilities across 12 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs over 2,300 people and was named a Best Workplace 2018 by Crain’s Chicago Business and MG Retailer magazine in 2018 and 2019. Curaleaf: A Massachusetts company, Curaleaf currently operates in 23 three states with 93 dispensaries and 22 cultivation sites and 30 manufacturing/ processing plants with a customer base of more than 350,000. The stock price had a 52-week range of $2.54 to $18.58, where it was hovering at press time. Cresco Labs: A huge player, Cresco has 29 retail licenses in nine states with 15 production facilities. Founded in 2013, Cresco is one of the larger vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operators in the United States. Employing a consumer-packaged goods approach to cannabis, Cresco’s house of brands is designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and includes some of the most recognized and trusted national brands including Cresco, Remedi, and Mindy’s, an edibles line created by James Beard Awardwinning chef Mindy Segal. TerrAscend: Another Canadian stock on the uptick is TerrAscend. Now led by the former leadership of Canopy, the company is highly valued because of its connections to licensing in New Jersey and New York, which many investors see as a market with booming potential. Leadership turned the stock around. Jason Wild is a major shareholder in Canopy Growth as well as the chairman and chief driver of strategy for TerrAscend. Wild made his fortune investing in pharmaceutical stocks focusing on specialty drug companies, which are much smaller drug manufacturers than big companies like Pfizer and Merck. TerrAscend is looking for the same magic that Canopy displayed. Through political fairy dust, market savvy or just plain ole Irish luck, shrewd investing can line your stock pot with gold.

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A is for Aphrodisiac… but better sex and more intimacy starts with CBD By Alice Little, thealicelittle.com CBD is best known for its many healing properties, from pain and anxiety relief to better sleep. But the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid can also offer a boost in the bedroom. CBD functions as a secret weapon for people who face a variety of different sexual hurdles. With March designated as Sexual Pleasure Month by the American Sexual Health Association, here’s why you shouldn’t just limit your CBD intake to stressful moments—and why you should try it the next time you get intimate.

WHAT CBD DOES FOR YOUR SEX LIFE Sure, there are lots of pills you could take for sex, especially if you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction. But best estimates suggest that psychological factors cause 10 to 20 percent of erectile dysfunction, and in those cases, the pill just won’t work. Plus, there are so many barriers to great sex that have nothing to do with a lack of erection. Many people struggle with decreased arousal, reduced desire, or pain during sex. And the good news is that CBD can help in these cases.

Cannabis has been used as an aphrodisiac for a long time, yet scientists are still learning about the extensive benefits CBD can have on your sex life. Some of the most widely recognized advantages can mean the difference between a disappointing roll in the hay and one you’ll remember forever. The primary way CBD improves your sex life is by helping you to relax. Anyone with performance anxiety or an overly invasive to-do list that runs through their head nonstop (especially at inopportune moments!) will benefit from this. Anxiety is the arch-nemesis of good sex because it takes you out of your body and puts you into your mind. This can mean delayed or nonexistent climaxes for people of any gender. CBD helps your mind slow down and focus, even for those who don’t have anxiety. This change in pace can make your sex life hotter. People tend to rush through sex or dive into a tried-and-true routine that they know works. Over time, having a sexual habit that you never deviate from makes sex dull. CBD can change up your routine and encourage you to access your creative side during sex.

CBD improves the quality of your sleep. This might seem tangential to sex, but it’s not. If you don’t have enough energy, you won’t be as focused or playful in bed. Studies continue to show the link between lack of sleep and sexual dysfunction. So, even if you take CBD before bed and forget to try it before you jump into the sack, your sex life may still benefit from the impact. Next, CBD helps with pain management. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that 75 percent of women have painful sex at some point in their lives. Those who experience pain during sex also often suffer from a knock-on symptom: a lack of desire. After all, who would be interested in something that has been unpleasant and hurtful in the past? Other people have chronic pain conditions that aren’t induced by sex but can seriously dampen the mood. Anyone with pain related to cancer, endometriosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a host of other painful disorders might experience not just relief but also a newfound libido boost. When you’re not focused on pain, it is easier to focus on pleasure instead.

CBD is easy to incorporate into your sex life, especially because this cannabinoid doesn’t have the psychoactive components of THC. You can have a CBD gummy and then have sex before work in the morning if you’re in the mood. Bonus: you won’t worry that you’re acting differently for the rest of the day. Though you don’t need to worry about CBD effecting your productivity, there are a few best practices to get started. First, plan ahead. Not every city has an accessible place to shop for quality CBD. You might need to do a little research and order something online. Look for products that have a certificate of analysis (COA) or lab testing so that you know you aren’t buying snake oil. Options for vegans and people who avoid gluten or other allergens are easy to find online. Next, give the CBD enough time. This means that spontaneous sex might not fit well with the benefits of a gummy. Since you will have to digest them, the effects may not kick in for up to an hour. Even massage oils and lubricants might need up to an hour to take effect, so be practical when choosing your intake method. Plan to take your time, slow down, and linger before having sex if using any of these CBD formats. If you’re in the heat of the moment, try an under-the-tongue CBD tincture so that you’ll reap the benefits sooner. Lastly, take the plunge! Start at a low dose and work your way up to find the perfect level of chill for your next Netflix and chill session. Alice Little is a sex worker who works as a legal escort at the Moonlite BunnyRanch, a Nevada brothel. Little began her work in sex-positive careers as a BDSM sex educator and continues to produce videos for her YouTube channel with content focused on sex education in her series Coffee with Alice where she discusses intimacy topics.

High On Love

Angela Mustone, founder of High On Love, developed a line of cannabisinfused personal lubricants, bath oils, and edible body paints. “My line of products is very natural in terms of ingredients, very thought out and researched,” says Mustone, who notes all of the massage oils produced by High On Love are lickable and edible because she uses aromas, not fragrances. “A lot of research goes into my products in order for me to develop the formulas. My products contain hemp seed oil which results in increased blood flow to the genitals to achieve bigger, better and longer orgasms.” highonlove.store

Basis of Intimacy

Developed with pleasure in mind, Evergreen Organix Intimate Massage Oil brings the enhancing benefits of cannabis to the bedroom. “We originally developed it with the idea of putting it on very sensitive areas of the body,” explains Jillian Nelson, Evergreen Organix Operational Manager. In fact, it was specifically designed to heighten the female experience. Formulated with hypoallergenic ingredients each bottle is dosed at 100mg THC. It can also be applied to sensitive or irritated skin or infused into moisturizer so your skin can benefit from cannabis’ nourishing properties. evergreenorganix.com

Blissfully Kissable

Treat both you and your partner’s bodies to hypnotic relaxation with NLVO’s Kissable Sensual Massage Oil loaded with 250 mg of THC per 2 oz. bottle. “Our goal was to create a flavorful intimate massage oil that would be an ideal couples’ necessity for those experienced in cannabis products and those not. If you don’t want to consume an edible or inhale smoke, topical massage oil is a great way to experience the benefits of cannabis oil,” says NLVO’s Salpy Boyajian. “Although not considered an edible, our massage oil is made of natural ingredients that can be considered ‘kissable,’ making it the perfect addition to an intimate massage. And it is safe to be used as a lubricant—which makes it that much more blissful!” @nlvo_organics

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INCORPORATING CBD FOR BETTER SEX

CELEBRATE SEXUAL PLEASURE MONTH THIS MARCH WITH A KISS AND…

elevatenv.com | march 2021

DISPENSARY MAP A Guide to Cannabis in Southern Nevada 1. Acres Cannabis acrescannabis.com 2320 Western Ave 702.399.4200

7. Exhale Dispensary exhalebrands.com 4310 W Flamingo Rd. 702.447.1250

15. NuLeaf nuleafnv.com 430 E. Twain Ave 702.297.5323

23. The Apothecary Shoppe theapothecaryshoppe.com 4240 W Flamingo Rd #100 702.740.4372

2. Apothecarium apothecariumlv.com 7885 W Sahara Ave 702.778.7987

8. Green Cannabis Co. greennv.cowm 3650 S Decatur Blvd., #7 702.357.5491

16a. NuWu Cannabis Marketplace Nuwucannabis.com 1235 Paiute Circle 702.844.2707

24a. The Dispensary thedispensarynv.com 5347 S. Decatur Blvd #100 702.476.0420

3. Cultivate Las Vegas cultivatelv.com 3615 Spring Mountain Rd 702.778.1173

9. Inyo Fine Cannabis Dispensary inyolasvegas.com 2520 S Maryland Pkwy #2 702.707.8888

16b. NuWu North nuwu.vegas 1157 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd 702.844.2438

24b. The Dispensary thedispensarynv.com 50 N. Gibson Rd. #170 702.476.0420

4. Curaleaf curaleaf.com 1736 S Las Vegas Blvd 702.545.0026

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

17. Oasis Cannabis Dispensary oasiscannabis.com 1800 S. Industrial Rd. #180 702.420.2405

25a. The Sanctuary thesanctuarynv.com 2113 N. Las Vegas Blvd 702.420.2902

18. Planet 13 planet13lasvegas.com 2548 W Desert Inn Rd #100 702.206.1313

25b. The Sanctuary thesanctuarynv.com 1324 3rd. St 702.420.2902

19a. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 3400 Western Ave 702.475.6520

26a. The Source thesourcenv.com 2550 S Rainbow Blvd #8 702.708.2000

19b. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 1366 W Cheyenne Ave 702.410.8032

26b. The Source thesourcenv.com 9480 S Eastern Ave Ste #185 702.708.2222

20. Shango goshango.com 4380 Boulder Hwy 702.444.4824

27. Top Notch THC topnotchthc.com 5630 Stephanie St 702.418.0420

21. ShowGrow showgrowlv.com 4850 S Fort Apache Rd Ste #100 702.227.0511

28. Zen Leaf zenleafdispensaries.com 9120 West Post Rd #103 702.462.6706

5a.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 2307 S Las Vegas Blvd 702.978.7591 5b.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 4300 E Sunset Rd Ste #A3 702.978.7687 5c.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 5765 W Tropicana Ave 702.500.1714 5d.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 7260 S Rainbow Blvd #104 725.206.6911 5e.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 6410 S Durango Dr #115 775.877.9367 6. Euphoria Wellness euphoriawellnessnv.com 7780 S Jones Blvd Ste #105 702.960.7200

11. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 10420 S Eastern Ave 702.718.0420 12. Medizin medizinlv.com 4850 W. Sunset Rd #130 702.248-0346 13. Vegas Treehouse vegastreehouse.com 4660 S Decatur Blvd 702.565.9333 14a. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 3195 St. Rose Pkwy Ste #212 702.737.7777 14b. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 1975 S Casino Dr 702.737.7777 14c. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 310 E. Warm Springs Rd. 702.298.4830

22. Silver Sage Wellness sswlv.com 4626 W Charleston Blvd 702.802.3757

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Elevating the Conversation

with Kim Sloan, Cannabis Epidemiologist

elevatenv.com | march 2021

panelist at Nevada’s Public Health Cannabis and Vaping Summit in January, Kim Sloan is the cannabis epidemiologist for the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health’s Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Agency with the Department of Health and Human Services. Sloan has nearly eight years of experience finding common ground and working with public health stakeholders on a variety of issues from health and wellness, spanning from COVID-19 disease investigation to flavored tobacco policies.

Is your occupation as a cannabis epidemiologist new? I actually started in March (2020), so my position was created through the Division of Public and Behavioral Health efforts to address e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury (evali) outbreak that occurred in the fall of 2019. It (her role) also involves looking at cannabis legalization and to assist in addressing this alarming increase of use of vaping products by Nevada’s youth and young adults. What is the role of a cannabis epidemiologist? Currently I facilitate cannabis data collection, assess data sources, identify priority populations, provide support for program evaluations. I also look to identify data gaps, investigations through improved data collection for disease investigation, and I’m overseeing the work that the Southern Nevada Health District is doing on a contract we have with them to enhance disease investigation. I also work with a ton of partners, including our tobacco partners, the coalition’s, the council for state and territorial epidemiologists, the Cannabis Compliance Board and other recreationally and medically legal cannabis states. Is smoking cannabis on par with cigarettes as far as pulmonary damage? This is a difficult question to answer because there’s a lot of conflicting evidence, particularly epidemiological studies that aren’t very consistent or robust. They might just be a cross-sectional study instead of it being a cohort study or a study over a longer period. It’s also complicated to look at this because a lot of tobacco smokers also smoke marijuana. So, it’s really hard to measure the damage of just cannabis or just cigarettes. But cannabis smoking is associated with a variety of changes in respiratory tissues like those in tobacco smokers. It has been reported that there is an association between long-term heavy cannabis smoking, without tobacco, and chronic bronchitis. Is there research showing the impacts of secondhand smoke from cannabis?

Evidence shows that people who use tobacco products also use cannabis, so this is a complication. The studies that we do have show some limited acute symptoms of secondhand smoke and there’s detectable levels of psychoactive substances and their metabolites like in blood, urine, and oral fluid. Findings are beginning to show that exposure to secondhand smoke from marijuana is just as harmful as tobacco secondhand smoke in vascular reactivity and endocrine systems. What did we learn about the e-cigarette and vaping associated lung injury (evali) outbreak? I think the outbreak really awakened our youth, our young adults, our parents, and policymakers about the serious health implications of this. It educated the nation about this underregulated market of vaping products and informal means to obtain products. In Nevada, we didn’t really have this going on as much. We did note that in our cases there were multiple sources where individuals obtained their vaping products making the investigation a lot more complicated. But nationwide there were a lot of informal sources and means to obtain these products that were found to be more risky for this vitamin E acetate that was the problem. In Nevada we learned that of our evali cases, 71% who used a vape product also used cannabis. What health fallacy would you like to see put to rest? One that stands out to me the most is that vaping products can help individuals stop smoking cigarettes. There’s some evidence that shows it can help cigarette smokers reduce or quit smoking. However, there’s mixed evidence because of nicotine dependence. For young adults and youth, it can really initiate use and create a nicotine dependence and we know that this can impact their developing brains, it can lead to daily use, and potentially dependence or misuse. To read our entire interview with Kim Sloan, go to elevatenv. com/Elevating_the_Conversation.

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