SEPTEMBER 2020
A TIME TO EXPLORE A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis
THE UNDERGROUND IS BACK! Join us in the Acres Underground Cannabis Market for a weekend of specials, entertainment and snacks.
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SEPTEMBER’S FEATURED STRAIN: BETTIE WHITE A phenotype of our in-house cross of Desert Snow and Mai Tai. Bettie White produces dense buds with shades of greens, purples and pistils of orange topped off by a sugary coating of trichomes. Terpinoline, Ocimene, Beta Myrcene and Limonene are the most prominent terpenes. With an aroma that reflects the terpene profile, users report a unique and smooth smoke accompanied by uplifting physical and cerebral effects. Day or night, Bettie White will get you right!
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SURVIVAL OF THE LITTEST Reality TV veteran Ethan Zohn gives new meaning to being a survivor By Josh Bell Survivor aside, Zohn faced his greatest challenge in 2009 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Ethan Zohn is very much part of the Survivor franchise, playing the reality TV game in 2001, 2004, and most recently returning to the show earlier this year for Winners at War.
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or Ethan Zohn, being a survivor is about far more than appearing on a reality TV show. The former professional soccer player, 46, first came to the attention of TV audiences on 2001’s Survivor: Africa, the third season of the pioneering reality competition series. In contrast to the scheming of some previous successful contestants, Zohn won the game (and a $1 million prize) while maintaining his affable, supportive personality, and that upbeat presence has helped him sustain a TV career for nearly 20 years. “There are obviously different ways to play the game of Survivor,” he says by phone from his home in rural New Hampshire, “but the way I tried to play the game of Survivor was based on real loyal and trusting relationships, and to lead with kindness and compassion.” Zohn returned to Survivor in 2004 for the All-Stars season, but he faced his greatest challenge in 2009 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Survivor actually provided some of Zohn’s motivation during his fight with cancer, and he finally returned to the show for the most recent season, Winners at War, earlier this year. “When I was sick, going through cancer, I was watching Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” he explains. “It was 2010, and I was like, man, if I stay alive, if I get out of this frickin’ hospital room, I’m going to get myself healthy enough to go play Survivor again. It was kind of like a vision for myself, a goal, an inspiration.” Zohn’s cancer battle also introduced him to the world of cannabis, beginning with clandestine efforts to obtain necessary medication during a time when medical cannabis was still illegal in New York, where he was living. Zohn’s story mirrors the experiences of many patients in the time before the spread of medical legalization: “My doctors wouldn’t prescribe it. I was literally meeting a drug dealer in New York City, bald from chemo. I’ve got gloves on, a mask. I’m meeting him on a street corner trying to get some product so I can make brownies to help me not throw up every night. That was a horrible experience for me.” After going into remission, Zohn shifted his cannabis use to a daily CBD regimen, to help deal with post-cancer anxiety, a struggle that often goes unmentioned. “Going through cancer for me was hard, but when a doctor tells you to do something or you’re going to die, you pretty much do it. You have no choice,” he says. “But when you come home from it and there’s no one around and you’re all by yourself—that’s when things got pretty scary for me. I had a tough time with anxiety and fear of relapse, invisible scars and dump trucks full of uncertainty. That’s when CBD became a huge part of my life.”
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Zohn has been an activist his entire life, from his soccer days through his Survivor experiences and his continued reality-TV fame on shows like The Amazing Race. So it was natural for him to incorporate cannabis advocacy into a philanthropic career that has included co-founding the public health charity Grassroot Soccer and working with various cancer organizations. In 2018, he co-founded the Safe Roots Foundation, an offshoot of Grassroot Soccer that focuses on community involvement within the cannabis industry. “It’s exciting for me to see in the bylaws of some of these organizations, companies, dispensaries opening up, there is a community service [aspect],” he says. “There has to be a socially conscious side of cannabis.” Safe Roots focuses on connecting with teens, educating them about cannabis and directing them away from misuse. “Basically what we do is we raise money from the cannabis industry, and then we fund the best evidencebased teenage drug prevention programs across the country,” Zohn explains. “Because in order to protect the long-term sustainability of cannabis in our country, I think we need to make sure more kids don’t start using cannabis. I think it’s the industry’s duty to pay attention to the fight against drugs.” Zohn took his involvement in the cannabis industry to another level when he signed on as an investor in MONTKUSH, a Vermont-based cannabis company cofounded by Anthony Sullivan, who’s best known as the spokesperson for OxiClean. Sullivan started the company after using CBD to treat his young daughter’s rare genetic disorder. An upcoming reality show, Kings of Kush, will document the first year of MONTKUSH’s hemp farm in Vermont, including Zohn’s onscreen participation. “I moved up there last summer, which was our first harvest,” he says. “Living up there on the farm and just getting my hands dirty, planting, harvesting, processing—from putting the seed into the ground all the way to when it’s in the bottle.” “I’ve done way too many reality shows,” Zohn laughs. “Some I’m proud of, a lot I’m not proud of.” Produced by reality-TV kingpin Thom Beers (Ice Road Truckers, Storage Wars, Deadliest Catch, etc.), Kings of Kush is set to air this fall on a yet-to-be-announced network. Zohn plays a supporting role alongside co-founders Sullivan and Dave Christian. He describes it as “kind of like a buddy show, two fish out of water who bought a farm in Vermont and don’t know what they’re doing, how to grow anything.” For Zohn, it’s a way to combine his business interests, his passion for activism and his TV career: “It’s a point in my life where everything’s coming together in a really fun way.”
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Once upon a time...
there was a budtender who lived a real-life fairytale By Beth Schwartz
W
hen I phone LJ Robinson to interview him for this story, he picks up my call on the third ring and enthusiastically begins our conversation with the declaration that he is “having the most amazing day ever. I’ll get to write that Cinderella story in my book now,” Robinson reveals to me breathlessly. My interest is immediately piqued. I’m calling to speak with him about his terpene- and cannabinoid-infused candle line and so I am not expecting a tale that falls in the ‘once upon a time’ category. But Robinson, 35, is a gregarious storyteller with an infectious passion for not only sharing his good fortune, but for making you believe attaining your goals, no matter how far reaching, is an effortless task. If this whole cannabis thing doesn’t work
out for Robinson, he should consider motivational speaking. But back to the fairytale. From his humble entry into the cannabis industry on August 25, 2015 Robinson has enjoyed a fabled rise. “I got into the industry without giving up. I didn’t know anybody,” he tells me of pursuing work in Nevada’s nascent cannabis industry. “I was trying to get into the cultivation side. I was a medical marijuana patient and I wanted to test my products to make sure I was smoking good stuff that I had grown.” Unfortunately, there was no legal avenue to do that. So the state of Nevada pointed Robinson in the direction of finding a dispensary to donate his homegrown flower to and, in turn, get
testing. “But nobody would answer my calls. I finally got a call back from Euphoria [Wellness],” explains Robinson, who met with co-owner Joe Lamarca. “I told him I just wanted lab results in exchange for 2 lbs. of flower and I just wanted to know what kind of THC and terpenes I was working with,” recalls Robinson, who was not able to get his flower tested but didn’t walk away emptyhanded either. “He offered me a job. I turned it down because I wanted to work in the cultivation facility, and he wanted me to work in the dispensary.” Reluctantly, Robinson eventually took the job at Euphoria as a budtender which would prove to be a serendipitous turn. “I was the last person hired and was the lowest tier employee,” says Robinson,
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who, although may have been a hiring afterthought, brought a wealth of knowledge with him that he happily shared. “Once I started working at Euphoria, I helped people understand the culture and why we do, and we don’t do certain things. I started explaining more of the science behind cannabis because at this point nobody had really been that involved with cannabis to the point where they had seen pounds of pot or maybe concentrates. A lot of people were very new to this, so I felt myself teaching a lot,” recalls Robinson. That altruism got the hero of our story noticed and he was promoted to assistant manager and eventually to purchasing manager with responsibilities that included curating the menu at Euphoria. “I would take product, sample it and decide to disperse that information to the staff so they could sell it efficiently and know all the talking points that people wanted to hear.” His quick ascent at Euphoria put him in the spotlight and he was approached by CW Nevada to oversee the company’s three dispensaries and curate their menu. “I got $1 million worth of product in those stores in the first 90 days,” notes Robinson. Robinson’s star continued to rise when he was hired away from CW by 1933 Industries, a cultivation and manufacturing cannabis company, to take over as “GM of their CBD facility for a short time and eventually working my way up to VP of Ops. I was overseeing both the cultivation and production facility currently in operation since 2015 while also overseeing the construction of a $13M 65,000-square-foot cultivation facility in addition to a 13,000-squarefoot production facility that were both going to be state-of-the-art, leading edge technology in addition to a massive hemp facility. I was overseeing all of these projects and I had all these brands I was bringing to market,” recalls Robinson. This is where our heroine enters the tale. “It was at that point that I
had a conversation with my beautiful girlfriend, Emma, and she said, ‘Why don’t you do your brand? You are doing all this stuff for other people. Why aren’t you doing your own thing?’,” Robinson explains. “Emma believed in me and convinced me that my brand Washed and the focus that I have and the things I wanted to do were much needed in the industry. And I agreed with her.” One of those ideas was a terpene- and CBD-infused candle that had resulted from a discussion Robinson and Emma had the first night they met. “It was one of those beautiful things where we were just talking about endless possibilities and why, for instance, nobody was doing a terpene-infused candle. I really wanted to bring that conversation to reality, and it was cool for the both of us to talk about Robinson has a line of terpene-infused candles that include a-pinene scented candle and a limonene- and myrcene-infused version.
this and now it’s a product that’s for sale in stores. This is something we thought was impossible and now it’s reality and it’s something that we created.” Robinson’s favorite part of the candlemaking process is mixing terpenes. “It allows you to create a bouquet of terps. It’s the coolest experience because you can create your environment. If you want a relaxing environment, you can add more lavender-based terpenes like linalool or you can add myrcene that’s found in mangoes and you can create a relaxing atmosphere similar to the way hotels use scent therapy to convince people they are
more calm than they truly are,” explains Robinson, who currently sells an a-pinene scented candle called Pine Treez, and a limonene- and myrcene-infused candle dubbed Seaside Smooches. “On the flip side you can use stimulating and invigorating terpenes like limonene and terpinolene to give people an experience of energy and focus, enjoying their environment in a pleasant atmosphere. That’s what’s really cool. And the mixing of it is highly concentrated. It’s kinda like Willy Wonka and creating the everlasting gobstopper,” Robinson tells me with a laugh. Robinson also adds cannabinoids, such as CBD, to his candles. “I do have a CBN candle as well. It’s going to be our relaxation candle and it will have a lot of CBN and myrcene but it’s still in the R&D phase. I feel like in today’s instant social media world where everything downloads in a millisecond sometimes people do need help slowing down, so this is kind of like quicksand for your environment. It’s going to force you to really have that relaxed environment to where you aren’t adding stress but decompressing from the situation the day brought you. And with terpene aromatherapy it’s very possible.” Lest you think our hero threw aside his budding cannabis career to make candles, let me disavow you of that. Although he “was 100 percent scared to walk away from my job and start a brand,” Robinson did take Emma’s advice to heart and left 1933 Industries in October to go out on his own. “That’s just one piece of it,” Robinson says of the candle line that is part of his brand Washed Limited Co, which stands for We Are So High Every Day. He adds, “the other piece being actual flower and pre-rolls and being a true medical brand.” As in any good fairytale there must be a problem and a solution. And Robinson plans to address a problem using Washed. “The goal of Washed is to bring awareness to the culture that is already established. Trying to do it justice
JARDIN_LASVEGAS
LJ Robinson is planning to launch a line of medical cannabis products in 2021.
bring a voice to the medical marijuana community by launching flower products specifically for medical patients in 2021. “I want to make it a private product. You have to sign up to be eligible to buy it. I would rather sell to 100 cancer patients than people who just want to get high. And that’s not because I don’t appreciate their business, but I really want to give back to the people who need the product, so they get access to it first and don’t get shut out of it. We
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want to make sure that those who are terminal would have prior access.” Another one of Robinson’s goals is to eventually make Washed available in Nevada, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Washington state. “The reason for that is the medical aspect of all those states,” says Robinson, who wants to bring the highest quality product possible to the market. “We will be geared to people who understand the medical mentality of a higher dosage, higher quality product, a lower cost product that is consistent from batch to batch. That’s what we are looking to provide to the consumer.” As Robinson’s Cinderella story continues and he endeavors to bring medical marijuana to Nevada’s patients next year, he “feels like this is a dream. It’s too good to be true almost. It’s so surreal. I am getting the opportunities and the universe is aligning.” Here’s to Robinson finding his happily ever after.
JARDINLASVEGAS
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and trying to be somebody who protects it rather than takes advantage of it so to speak. So, my whole goal was to get in with a medical company so I could put out medical products for people,” Robinson says, referencing the news alluded to in the beginning of our tale, that he was now a sublicensee with both cultivation and production access on the day I spoke with him. “That’s a market that is not even being looked at anymore and it’s unfortunate,” Robinson continues. “I’m a medical patient and I feel like there isn’t even anything out there for me anymore. I feel like if we don’t talk about the medical community now, before too long the state is just going to wipe it out. It’s just going to be unfortunate because the people who truly need the medicine, the people who have fought for it, the people who believe in it—they are losing out on what they really wanted to bring to the table.” With Washed, Robinson plans to
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP A user’s guide to getting better rest in the age of Covid-19 Do you wish you could slumber with as much ease as Sleeping Beauty? You can! Cannabis is loaded with specific terpenes and cannabinoids imbued with sedation properties necessary to deliver ZZZZZs for a solid night of rest. In addition to THC and CBD percentages, you can find terpene amounts listed on the lab tests that accompany each product sold in Nevada’s dispensaries.
Terpinolene. While this terpene is harder to find, it has sedative
Myrcene. One of Nevada’s most ubiquitous cannabis ter-
Linalool. This lavender-scented terpene is found in hundreds of
penes, myrcene can also be found in fruits and herbs, including mangoes, basil, thyme, and lemongrass. Myrcene stimulates the CB1 receptors found in the brain and central nervous system to help restore balance and has been shown to have sedative effects. It’s easy to find, just look for these strains: ACDC, Godfather OG, Granddaddy Purple, OG Kush, and Purple Kush.
Caryophyllene is known for its ability to relieve stress, anxiety, pain, and insomnia because of its relaxing analgesic properties. It’s got a spicy, peppery aroma that gives black pepper and cloves their flavorful kick. You’ll find this sleep-inducing terpene in strains like Cherry Pie, Death Star, Chemdog, Sour Diesel, and Candyland.
DREAM BIG THE ELUSIVE CBG This product is akin to a unicorn. The tincture not only contains the rare CBG (cannabigerol), but also is uncommon in that it is a 1:1:1 ratio product of THC, CBD and CBG. “In my own experience, CBG has worked for patients managing problems with IOP (intraocular pressure) secondary to Glaucoma and patients having trouble staying asleep during the night,” said Dr. Dominick Monaco, head of City Trees laboratory. citytrees.com/1-1-1-tincture
effects that are worth the search. Emanating piney, floral, herbaceous, and even citrusy aromas, you’ll also find this terpene in apples and lilacs as well as nutmeg and cumin. It’s thought to act directly on the central nervous system to promote drowsiness. Look for Jack Herer, Orange Cookies, and Ghost Train Haze if you want the sleep-inducing effects of terpinolene.
plants, including cannabis. Studies show linalool lowers anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as helps to guard the immune system against damage from stress. Linalool increases adenosine, a sedating hormone that helps us fall asleep. Look for it in Bubba Kush, LA Confidential, and purple indica strains.
CBN. Cannabinol is a potent sleep aid said to provide the same
benefits of pharmaceutical sleep medication in smaller amounts and with safer side effects. According to an analysis from Steep Hill Labs, 5mg of CBN is as effective as 10mg of diazepam, a common sleep medication. If you’re finding it difficult to locate a CBN-heavy cannabis product all you have to do is store some cannabis in a non-airtight container and let it sit for a few weeks or months.
ALL THE ZZZZs sleep by dosist is a 8:1 THC to CBD formula designed specifically to help you fall asleep, and stay asleep naturally. Taken via vaporizer, each puff is a precisely delivered dose of 2.25mgs of cannabinoids. In addition to THC and CBD, the vaporizer also has a terpene mix of nerolidol and myrcene, which both support sleep. The pen vibrates slightly to signify when a dose is being delivered, making it simple for newbies to use. dosist.com/formula-detail/sleep
SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS This month Hot Mess Kushmetics is launching a new line of products chock full of the goodness of cannabis: Good Belly, Good Night, Good Morning and Good Mood. The Good Night tincture is formulated for sleep using a combination of CBN and CBD with a 1:1 ratio of the two cannabinoids. “Just take a few drops under your tongue at bedtime and it works like a charm,” said Hot Mess Kushmetics founder Heather Vanek. hotmesskushmetics.com
ASLEEP BEFORE MIDNIGHT Kiva Confection has developed a sleep concoction that is available in the brand’s Midnight Blueberry gummies. Dosed at a ratio of 5mg of THC to 1mg of CBN per piece, Kiva’s Midnight Blueberry gummies contain a relaxing terpene mix of linalool, myrcene and caryophyllene as well as a hint of chamomile and lavender for a soothing, restful effect that’s boosted by cannabinol (CBN). kivaconfections.com/products/camino-gummies/midnight-blueberry-cbn
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MOTHER NATURE’S ANXIETY ALLEVIATORS A user’s guide to managing stress in a pandemic using terpenoids Terpenes are some of nature’s greatest healing operatives and are found abundantly in essential oils, vegetables, fruit and spices. Cannabis also has terpenes which gives each strain its unique aroma and flavor. In addition to sensory stimulation, terpenes have their own set of healing properties that include anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic benefits. To follow are three calm-inducing terpenes known to help with anxiety.
Limonene. With its strong citrus smell and taste, limonene is
Linalool. Marked by a strong floral scent, linalool is a ter-
Caryophyllene. Strains that have caryophyllene are known to be some of the most restful, calming strains currently available on the market, and can be used to treat conditions ranging from arthritis to Alzheimer’s. A 2014 study published in the Physiology & Behavior journal found that beta-caryophyllene reduced the anxiety levels in rodents forced to go through a maze. It is a terpene that works particularly well with CBD and is found in cloves, hops, black pepper, and rosemary essential oils. As for cannabis, you can find the calming terpene in the Cookies family of cultivars, Sherbert, and Gorilla Glue #4.
pene found in cannabis and lavender as well as several other flowering plants. The fragrant terpene possesses sedative properties used to fight anxiety and stress and is found in varieties of Bubba Kush. A study published in the July 2010 edition of Phytomedicine found that linalool decreased aggressive behavior in mice. A dab of lavender oil rubbed on your temples or to your wrist can reduce your anxiety because it is filled with linalool. This terpene is said to make SSRIs (especially Paxil, paroxetine) more effective.
associated with euphoric effects. Derived from the oil of citrus peels, such as lemon or oranges, limonene is known as one of the best terpenes for anxiety, as strains enhanced with limonene are known to relieve paranoia or restlessness. Clinical studies show that limonene has demonstrated a significant anti-depressive effect, which sheds light on this terpene’s presence in famous strains aimed at combating depression such as Gelato, Tangerine Dream, and Super Lemon Haze.
KICKING HIGH ANXIETY TO THE CURB BASKIN’ IN THE GLOW Las Vegas cultivator LJ Robinson recommends BASKIN Body Wellness Cream with 400mg of CBD for the cannabis newbie who is looking to calm their nerves. “It’s a great transdermal product, more scientific than just a lotion. For me as someone who deals with a lot of anxiety, it’s something that’s not going to overwhelm and will ease them into it. Just apply a little bit on the temples and a little bit on the back of neck. I carry a lot of stress tensions, it’s helpful to let those muscles relax.” baskincbd.com FOR THE WIN In itself, a soak in the tub is a relaxing proposition. Now imagine doing it with 50mg of healing CBD. Heather Vanek, founder of Hot Mess Kushmetics, suggests her High Jump CBD Bath Bomb for delivering the goods. In addition to each Bath Bomb containing the relaxing and calm-inducing properties of CBD and skin-loving shea butter to moisturize and protect your skin, you will get an extra jump of stress relief with an infusion of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. hotmesskushmetics.com
READY TO RELAX elevate editor Beth Schwartz suggests Creative Waters Co.’s RELAX 3:1 CBD to THC cannabis-infused sparkling water for the cannabis newcomer. “It calms my mind and also helps me to focus, and I even enjoyed some free flowing creativity,” reports Schwartz of RELAX sparkling water. “And with a sassy flavor profile of passion fruit, tangerine and coconut, it not only tastes like you are lounging poolside at a tropical resort, but more importantly it makes you feel like you are.” creativewatersco.com PUTTING THE AROMA IN THERAPY In a classic case of form following function, Peppermint Field offers one of the most functionally clever CBD products on the market. Designed as a two-for-one, you can either take a quick sniff from the CBD Aromastick to lower your anxiety in an instant or twist its bottom and tap out a few drops of the magical elixir to rub on your temples. Either way you will be giving your senses a burst of freshness in the form of pinene terpenes mixed with menthol, peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil vapors that immediately delivers calm and sends your anxiety away. euphoriawellnessnv.com
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A Time To Explore
If your canna-curiosity has gotten the best of you, check out this 411 for beginners
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THC, CBD & THE REST OF THE CANNABINOID CLAN Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in cannabis that are partly responsible for its vast and diverse effects. THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol is the most well-known and most prevalent cannabinoid found in cannabis. Responsible for the “high” of cannabis, THC can affect perception, mood, emotion, cognition, and motor function. Research has shown THC reduces or even eliminates pain, nausea, and stress while also helping to stimulate appetite and combat insomnia. CBD: Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive that significantly reduces symptoms in patients suffering from seizure and spasm disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). One of the best CBD sources is www. projectcbd.org. CBN: Cannabinol forms as THC degrades. As the oxidation byproduct of THC with its breakdown resulting in a weak psychoactive that has high sedation effects, it is primarily marketed as a sleep aid. It also works to relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and Crohn’s disease. CBG: Cannabigerol is an analgesic, nonintoxicating cannabinoid that works as a potent appetite stimulant used for the treatment of gastrointestinal inflammation and glaucoma as well as treating Crohn’s disease and cancer. THCV: Tetrahydrocannabivarin is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in sativa strains of cannabis, in turn, producing a more motivated, alert and energizing feeling of euphoria. Research shows THCV can help reduce or even prevent anxiety and panic attacks which is helpful for the treatment of PTSD. It is also neuroprotective, so ideal for treating Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and MS.
CBC: Cannabichromene is a powerful, non-psychoactive cannabinoid that plays a significant role in the anti-cancer and anti-tumor capabilities of cannabis. CBC is particularly effective in providing symptom relief from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s disease, neuropathy and chronic post-operative pain.
WHICH CANNABIS SPECIES SHOULD YOU SHOP FOR? There are two species of cannabis, sativa and indica, and a hybrid of the two. Understanding the difference between them will help you to understand what you need to buy. Indica strains are associated with naps and relaxation and can be easily remembered with the nickname “in-da-couch” for its chill effect that results in a body high, stoniness and sedative qualities. Sativa strains are considered better for daytime use and are associated with mental euphoria, ability to help with focus, and often induced laughter.
REMEMBER THIS DOSING MANTRA: START LOW AND GO SLOW How to start: If you are new to cannabis, start with 5 to 10mg of THC. I used to recommend that novices start with gummies but now I am suggesting newbies start with beverages. As you determine your dose or tolerance level, bear in mind that much like alcohol, your reaction to cannabis is dependent on how full your stomach is, how much water you have consumed, and your weight. Consume your appointed edible or beverage and wait 45 to 60 minutes. If after waiting an hour you don’t feel anything, dose yourself again. If you are overwhelmed with your THC dosage, do half-a-dose next time. Also, in case you overdo it, have a bottle of CBD tincture at the ready. CBD negates THC and so a few drops of oil under your tongue will lessen THC’s effects.
MICRO-DOSING MIGHT BE FOR YOU
YOU’LL DEFINITELY WANT AN ENTOURAGE Cannabis’s entourage effect is the synergy that takes place when THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes work together to provide health benefits. The theory behind the entourage effect is that all the compounds in cannabis work together as a whole plant, and when taken together, they produce a better effect than when taken alone. The cannabis plant produces an entourage of cannabinoids and terpenoids that clearly modulate the effects of one another and often reduce the side effects of one constituent while enhancing the effects of another. For instance, CBD reduces the anxiety that can be caused by THC and reduces the forgetfulness produced by moderate doses of THC.
YOUR BODY HAS AN ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM! Discovered in 1989, the endocannabinoid system [ECS] is a very complex regulatory system found in the body. Now included in medical school curriculum, the ECS regulates functions that include memory, digestion, motor function,
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Micro-dosing refers to the practice of taking tiny portions of a given compound to achieve your desired effect. A micro-dose is typically 1/10 to 1/20 of a normal dose, or 10 to 20 micrograms. The goal is to achieve the positive results of the substance (more focus, energy, and emotional balance) without the negative (hallucinations, sensory shifts, and other extreme experiential side effects). Legal cannabis products such as edibles, oils, and tinctures are much better
suited to micro-dosing since it is much easier to control your dosage. Higher doses of marijuana can sometimes lead to difficulty concentrating and anxiety, which is why conditions such as depression, anxiety, and pain are especially well suited to micro-dosing.
immune response and inflammation, appetite, pain, blood pressure, bone growth, and the protection of neutral tissues. The endocannabinoid system has receptors, called CB1 and CB2, that synergistically interact with other cannabinoids and endocannabinoids to produce sometimes profound medical effects. CB1 receptors are located throughout the brain and central nervous system, as well as the kidneys, liver, lungs, digestive tract, and even the eyes. The placement of CB1 receptors is also why cannabis overdoses are impossible—because these receptors are not present in the basal regions of the brain that are responsible for vital functions, such as heart and respiratory function. CB2 receptors are primarily found in the peripheral organs, in particular tissues associated with the immune system, including the tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. (see illustration on page 16)
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There are two cannabis taxes in Nevada. A 15% Wholesale Marijuana Tax [excise tax on the first wholesale sale of marijuana by a cultivator] goes to the Distribute School Account or education funding. A 10% Retail Marijuana Tax [excise tax on the sale of marijuana to a customer for adult use, and not to a medical patient cardholder] goes to Nevada’s Rainy Day Fund.
CANNABIS FUNDAMENTALS 5 most common questions I get as a physician specializing in cannabis By Dr. Scott Jacobson, M.D. What conditions can I use cannabis for?
Cannabis is used to treat many medical conditions. Every state has different laws and qualifying conditions to qualify people for a medical marijuana card. Chronic pain is the most common, but PTSD, nausea, AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and seizures have also been shown to benefit from treatment with cannabis. Nevada has recently expanded its qualifying conditions to include autism, anxiety, and dependence on or addiction to opioids.
What’s the difference between THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol)? Cannabis, better known as marijuana or hemp, is all the same plant. Some strains of the plant are low in THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. When THC is <0.3%
it is considered hemp and is generally high in CBD. Both have numerous medicinal properties. You can get pain relief from both THC and CBD and the effects are compounded when taken together, this is called the entourage effect. CBD has been studied and recently shown tremendous results for seizures in children. When it comes to anxiety, I prefer CBD or a combination. For many conditions it is beneficial to combine both THC and CBD and individualizing the dosing is often what I work on with my patients.
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the difference between indica and sativa?
What are the best methods of administration? Smoking? Vaping? Edibles?
As a doctor, I am always hesitant to recommend smoking, so if there are other options that work for you that is preferred. The long-term effects of smoking cannabis are not fully known but there is some level of risk to the lungs if you are smoking. Low temperature vaping is a good option. This is a method that involves heating either concentrates or whole dried flower just enough to release the cannabinoids but not produce the harmful combustion products found in smoke. Vaping has generated some controversy due to severe lung damage that can develop. However, recently it has been shown that the vapes that caused lung damage were black market vape pens that used a Vitamin E oil base instead of pure distillates, like those found in dispensaries. Generally vaping is considered safe and a good option for dispensing low doses of cannabinoids. Edibles such as gummies are a great way to consume, especially if you are medicating for insomnia and/or chronic pain. The high that is produced from edibles is different
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Historically these two varieties of cannabis originated in different geographical regions. The appearance of the raw plant differs, with indicas being stout with broad leaves and sativa being taller with a narrow leaf structure. The properties of the high are somewhat controversial. It has generally been accepted that indicas produce a more sedative effect, some might call it a â&#x20AC;&#x153;couch lockâ&#x20AC;? while sativas are more uplifting. It turns out that the real difference is in the other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids are chemicals called terpenes, found in many flowering plants. Terpenes are what give flowering plants their pleasant odor. It is the combination of terpenes with other cannabinoids that determine what the high is like. These days you will find sativa strains that are high in myrcene that can help with sleep, which is why it is important to understand terpene profiles, and not just shop for a sativa or indica. (For more about terpenes, see pages 12 and 14)
because THC is metabolized by the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC. This slightly different form is more potent and longer acting. Taking cannabis orally also takes much longer to feel the effect, which can lead to the classic ER visits with chief complaints of eating too many edibles. It is best to be cautious when starting out on edibles, avoid taking that second dose before the first one has kicked in and, in some cases, this can take up to two hours.
What dose should I take?
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Edibles can be tricky to dose. The good news is that you can find well labeled products which are consistent in the amount of THC and CBD. The bad news is the amount that actually gets into your body can depend on what you eat with it as well as when you most recently ate. I caution patients with anxiety, especially those not experienced with cannabis, to start low and go slow. There is a dose dependent relationship between cannabis and anxiety, the higher the dose the more chance it will cause some anxiety. It is best to learn what effect a small dose, about 5mg of THC, has and increase it slowly as tolerance is built over time. Dr. Scott Jacobson is a board-certified Family Medicine physician focusing on Functional Medicine at wishingwellnessmedical.com.
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DISPENSARY MAP A Guide to Cannabis in Southern Nevada 1. Acres Cannabis acrescannabis.com 2320 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.399.4200
9c.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 5765 W Tropicana Ave Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.500.1714
15b. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 1975 S Casino Dr Laughlin, NV 89029 702.737.7777
23a. The Source thesourcenv.com 2550 S Rainbow Blvd Ste #8 Las Vegas, NV 89146 702.708.2000
2. Apothecarium apothecariumlv.com 7885 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89117 702.778.7987
9d.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 7260 S Rainbow Blvd., Suite 104 Las Vegas, NV 89119 725.206.6911
16. Nevada Wellness Center nevadawellnesscenters.com 3200 S Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.470.2077
23b. The Source thesourcenv.com 9480 S Eastern Ave Ste #185 Henderson, NV 89123 702.708.2222
3. Green Cannabis Co. greennv.com 3650 S Decatur Blvd., #7 Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.357.5491
9e.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 6410 S Durango Dr., Suite 115 Las Vegas, NV 89113 775.877.9367
17a. NuWu Cannabis Marketplace Nuwucannabis.com 1235 Paiute Circle Las Vegas, NV 89106 702.844.2707
24a. Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 2755 W Cheyenne Ave Ste #103 North Las Vegas, NV 89032 702.776.4144
4. Blüm LetsBlum.com 1130 E Desert Inn Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.536.2586
10. Inyo Fine Cannabis Dispensary inyolasvegas.com 2520 S Maryland Pkwy Ste #2 Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.707.8888
17b. NuWu North nuwu.vegas 1157 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89124 702.844.2438
24b.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 3500 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.776.4144
5. Cultivate Las Vegas cultivatelv.com 3615 Spring Mountain Rd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.778.1173
11. Jardin jardincannabis.com 2900 E Desert Inn Rd Ste #102 Las Vegas, NV 89121 702.331.6511
18. Planet 13 planet13lasvegas.com 2548 W Desert Inn Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.206.1313
24c.Thrive Cannabis Marketplace thrivenevada.com 1112 S Commerce St Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.776.4144
6. Curaleaf curaleaf.com 1736 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.545.0026
12a. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 5530 N Decatur Blvd North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.718.0420
19a. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 3400 Western Ave Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.475.6520
25. Top Notch THC topnotchthc.com 5630 Stephanie St Las Vegas, NV 89122 702.418.0420
7. Deep Roots Harvest deeprootsharvest.com 195 Willis Carrier Canyon Mesquite, NV 89034 702.345.2854
12b. Jenny’s Dispensary Jennysdispensary.com 10420 S Eastern Ave Henderson, NV 89052 702.718.0420
19b. Reef Dispensaries reefdispensaries.com 1366 W Cheyenne Ave North Las Vegas, NV 89030 702.410.8032
8. Euphoria Wellness euphoriawellnessnv.com 7780 S Jones Blvd Ste #105 Las Vegas, NV 89139 702.960.7200
13. Las Vegas ReLeaf lasvegasreleaf.com 2244 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.209.2400
20. ShowGrow showgrowlv.com 4850 S Fort Apache Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89147 702.227.0511
9a.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 2307 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89104 702.978.7591
14. MMJ America mmjamerica.com 4660 S Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.565.9333
21. Silver Sage Wellness sswlv.com 4626 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.802.3757
9b.Essence Cannabis Dispensary essencevegas.com 4300 E Sunset Rd Ste #A3 Henderson, NV 89014 702.978.7687
15a. Nevada Made Marijuana nevadamademarijuana.com 3195 St. Rose Pkwy Ste #212 Henderson, NV 89052 702.737.7777
22. The Apothecary Shoppe theapothecaryshoppe.com 4240 W Flamingo Rd Ste #100 Las Vegas, NV 89103 702.740.4372
159
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LAS VEGAS
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TOWN CENTER DR
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BONANZA RD
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Cooking Cannabis
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MARTHA STEWART’S “TO-DIE-FOR” BROWNIE RECIPE
With the surge of bready aromas emanating from kitchens amidst the Covid-19 crisis—even causing a flour shortage at one point early in the pandemic—it would be remiss of us not to include a recipe for the most classic of edibles: the pot brownie. People stuck in quarantine mode have been baking banana bread by the bundles and even experimenting with sourdough starters, so why not dive in and try making the holy grail of homemade edibles? We thought there was no better recipe to use than one from the doyenne of domesticity Martha Stewart. She gets her weed cred from her late-night VH1 cooking show with Snoop Dogg, “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Party Challenge.” An easy way to elevate your brownies is to use hash oil or honey oil. You can melt it slowly into the butter/water (just like you do when making cannabis butter), let the butter melt for 20-30 minutes, pour into a container and refrigerate. Several
hours later the butter is solidified and ready to be used. No need for straining as with making traditional canna-butter. For newbies interested in avoiding the guesswork of making your own cannabis-infused oil, try using an activated oil, like distillate, in your brownies. The benefit of buying a distillate is that it is easily portioned out and has a specific THC or CBD percentage. One gram (1000 mg) of distillate that is 97% THC contains 970 milligrams of THC. If 10 milligrams is considered a standard dose, you have approximately 97 edibles in that syringe of distillate. The most important thing to remember when making pot brownies is to ensure the cannabis oil is thoroughly mixed into the batter so every brownie offers a consistent dose. You definitely don’t want all of the oil to be condensed into one brownie.
BROWNIE INGREDIENTS:
ICING INGREDIENTS:
4 large eggs ⅔ cup cannabis-infused oil 2 cups sugar 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 3 Tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 cup chopped pecans 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg 2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar 2 tsp cocoa powder 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 Tbsp butter, melted (use cannabutter if greater potency is desired)
BROWNIE DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Butter a 9” x 13” baking pan; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs on low speed. Add canna-oil and sugar, beating for 10 minutes.
Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake until edges just start to pull away from pan, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Spread icing over brownies; allow to set before serving.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat egg with 1 cup sugar on low speed. With mixer running, add 1/2 cup sugar and cocoa into egg mixture; mix well. Add remaining 1 cup sugar, vanilla, and butter; beat to combine.
Source: Martha Stewart Note: The amount of cannabis oil specified in this recipe is a very loose suggestion; the actual amount you use should be modified based on the strength of your cannabis oil and the potency you desire. Dosing homemade edibles can be tricky, so the best way to test for potency is to start with one portion of a serving, wait one to two hours, then make an informed decision on whether to consume more. Always dose carefully and listen to your body, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.
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Meanwhile, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add egg mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in pecans and vanilla.
ICING DIRECTIONS:
elevatenv.com | september 26
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Elevating the Conversation
R
with author Ruth D. Fisher, Ph.D.
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uth Fisher is a researcher, analyst and author of “The Medical Cannabis Primer: Ushering in the Golden Age of Marijuana.” With 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Fisher enjoys figuring out how products, processes, and people interact to create outcomes and how to change products and/or processes to generate better outcomes. The cofounder of CannDynamics, Inc. works on behalf of biotech companies, earlystage biotech researchers, physicians, and healthcare technology start-ups.
As you began your research what was one of the things that surprised you most about cannabis? One of the earliest things I learned about was the ECS (endocannabinoid system) and I was shocked that someone who had spent as much time in healthcare as I had and done as much research as I had, had never heard of this. That just really blew me away. I realized it was only discovered in the ‘90s, but still I am a healthcare researcher. That said to me it wasn’t really penetrating mainstream society. That’s not a judgement, that’s an observation. Once I started learning about that and again about the plant, the constituents of the plant, and the cannabinoids versus terpenes then it became very apparent that there is much more than THC going on. Is the concept of buying cannabis as an indica, sativa or hybrid outdated? Absolutely, we are in a paradigm shift right now. I believe it started out as this community of users viewing the plant from the indica/sativa perspective, but researchers are finding that what is really important for medical use are the compounds contained in a particular sample. If you take a bunch of samples of indica/sativa and look at the underlying profiles, there is really no correlation between what’s in the plant and whether it’s an indica or sativa. In other words, for medical users, indica and sativa labels are not really giving users the information they need to make a good choice. What should consumers look for when they shop for cannabis? Increasingly what consumers want to know and need to know is exactly the profile of compounds that are contained in the different products out there. It’s appearing in the industry in different forms and ways. But hopefully an ideal end result would be for all the products to have QR codes on them so users can pull up a COA (certificate of analysis) or the lab results to see the profile of ingredients as well as the fungus, mold and pesticide tests and verify for themselves what actually is contained and what compounds are in a particular sample. And verify that, in fact, that they have passed all of their safety tests.
Dosing cannabis is really complicated. Why? I’ve heard different opinions on this. I believe people are going to be able to get an idea of where to start, but then they are going to have to go through an iterative process to get their ideal dose or product. And when I say ideal product that’s a little ambiguous because people want different things at different times of the day. For example, I might use one formulation to wake up in the morning and use another one before I go to bed at night. I might have different ones for chronic versus acute episodes or problems. So, each person doesn’t have one right dose. However, because people’s endocannabinoid systems are different and their bodies are different, they are going to respond to products differently. Cannabis is personalized medicine and you are always going to have to iterate. But short of having everyone go through genetic testing and having a full health history, I don’t think you will be able to dose cannabis. Do you see cannabis’ entourage effect as similar to a traditional drug cocktail? Taking a whole plant cannabis product is essentially like taking a drug cocktail. It is several different traditional medications taken together at the same time, which healthcare providers are increasingly using in treating AIDS, cancer and complex diseases. Essentially cannabis, as one product, is replacing a handful of individual medications that are being used currently by the traditional healthcare community. Mother Nature has put together compounds that make sense in doses and ways that enable one another, whereas the way pharmaceutical cocktails have been put together is scientific. I am not saying it doesn’t work, but it took scientists a lot of time to figure out what Mother Nature has already done for cannabis. To read our entire interview with Ruth Fisher, please go to elevate. nv/Elevating_the_Conversation
september | elevatenv.com 29
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