F A L L
2 0 1 6
CBD & YOUR PET
g n i v i g s k n a D CANNABIS & WOMEN’S HEALTH CROPTOBER TIPS
WE GIVE THANKS TO DANK WITH A SUBLIMELY STONEY FEAST F O X A N D N U G . C O M
THE PICTORIALS FEATURED FOX • Jameka NOTEWORTHY NUG • Mr Good Chem FEATURE PICTORIAL • Danksgiving
25 31 7
THE ARTICLES CBD & Your Pet US Patent No. 6630507 Cannabis & Women’s Health Croptober Tips
1 37 39 43
THE FOOD Danksgiving Feast Recipes
13
EDITOR’S NOTE CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF EDITOR
Alexandra Fox It’s time to load up your favorite smoking device, grab a delectable edible, and cozy up to the small slice of heaven I call home. Here we like to have provocative and enlightening conversations about cannabis, humanity, mother nature, and the human spirit. We’d like to provide an instant portal to the various arts, and we strive to emphasize individuality while exploring the taboos
SENIOR CULTIVATION EDITOR DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Sean Calahan MANAGING EDITOR DIRECTOR OF ART & DESIGN
Nicole Conlay CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
of embracing a healthy sexuality.
Rachael Hellman Trey Booth
This magazine was designed to highlight some of the
RECIPES & PLATING BY
most inspirational inventors, artists, tokers, doctors, and organizations in the ever-budding Cannabis
Dionicio Cordero Erin Calahan
Community. Our goal is to create a true picture book of our time in weed. I am excited for the future of this magazine and I am even more excited that you are reading this today. Thank you for checking out Fox & Nug. Much love from Colorado,
Alexandra Fox
Fox & Nug, assumes no responsibility for any claims or representations contained in this magazine or in any advertisement. This magazine is protected under freedom of speech and is intended for entertainment purposes only. No portion of this magazine is intended to provide medical advice. See a licensed healthcare professional before you augment your treatment. All content and images subject to copyright. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without prior written consent. Fox & Nug, © 2016-2017
1 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
s
niffing out a new path in cannabis therapeutics. For Debbie Cokes, owner and one of the founders of RxCBD, it was, quite literally, a natural progression. Living in Colorado, and with a deep connection to the world of holistic health, alternative remedies, and cannabis therapeutics, shifting her focus to CBD when hemp became legal made perfect sense. Today, RxCBD makes a variety of therapeutic CBD products—including edibles, tinctures, capsules, and skin care products—accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. Even those without opposable thumbs. Oh, yes. The same CBD (cannabidiol) you trust to lull you into a gentle sleep or offset your office-jobinduced anxiety also has plenty of benefits for the only living thing you love more than the cannabis plant itself: your dog. And if you’re the, um, “quiet” type, your cat. As much as we’d like to think so, it’s not as radical as it sounds. Both you and your animal cohabitants have endocannabinoid systems, a group of receptors located throughout your whole miracle-of-a-body that keep different physiological roles in check. When you’re sick, using phytocannabinoids (found in the cannabis plant) to wake up these receptors can help address and alleviate the problem.
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For dogs and cats, that “problem” can be a lot of things: thunderstorms, noisy events, separation anxiety, traveling, car rides, introduction to a new home, grooming, day care, pet sitting, inflammation, compromised digestive systems, seizures, and qualityof-life for older animals. As is the case with CBD use in humans, animals treated with CBD can enjoy relief from uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes life-threatening conditions without experiencing psychoactive effects that come with THC. Admit it, though: watching Adventure Time with your most faithful pal and knowing that she really “gets it” would introduce a whole new layer to your relationship. In the words of several enthusiastic dogs and cats we talked to, the second-best thing about RxCBD’s products is that they “taste f-n awesome.” Made with humangrade ingredients and without common allergens like wheat, soy, gluten, corn, or artificial additives, RxCBD’s handcrafted treats function as equal parts medicine and reward. They’ve got all the things you’re hopefully already eating yourself: flaxseed, nutritional yeast, parsley, cage-free eggs, and brown rice flour. The flavorfactor is especially important for the proverbial finicky cat, a type Debbie knew all too well and accounted for in her products. “Those of us with feline family members they know that besides being magical, cats are elusive and are able to disguise a lot. It’s often difficult to tell what they are feeling or how to help,” Debbie told us. “We’ve developed a line of CBD cat products, along with serving tips that seem to work well.”
As is the case with CBD use in humans, animals treated with CBD can enjoy relief from uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes lifethreatening conditions 3 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
Proof that it all does work is in Big Joe himself. Suffering from stomatitis, or inflammation of the mouth, nothing prescribed by the vet for Debbie’s 14-year old cat was working. A consistent dose of CBD extract finally eased the symptoms and made Big Joe a new man. Other cat moms comment on RxCBD’s site that products helped their cats with allergies, dilated eyes, vomiting, and general malaise. There’s no shortage of CBD benefits for dogs, either— even when it comes to seizures. Many common breeds like German shepherds, dachshunds, and collies are
prone to inherit symptomatic seizures while labrador retrievers, Siberian huskies, and boxers are commonly plagued with seizure disorders. The popular treatment for these pups (and often their human counterparts) is phenobarbital, part of the barbiturate family. Although the drug is low-cost and has longevity, it comes with a host of severe side-effects like lethargy, dizziness, confusion, and long-term liver damage that would have anyone in desperate search for an alternative. Enter CBD. Well, almost. Scientific studies on the effectiveness of CBD for dogs with seizures is still relatively new—and still lacking—but openminded veterinarians and dog owners report their fair share of individual success stories all over the Internet. One “Eldertrees” Redditor speaks to Elvis, a 4 year-old rescue dog who was on a cocktail of Phenobarbital, Levicitracian, Potassium Bromide, and several other pharmaceuticals while experiencing one to two seizures per-day. The poster says, “[The] seizures become so violent and you can see how much immense pain he is in. Earlier this year, I had introduced Elvis to CBD oil and his seizures decreased to about three times a month.” The Redditor goes on to explain that he or she was then advised by Elvis’s vet to stop the therapeutic CBD and resume prescription meds. Unsurprisingly, Elvis’s seizures were more severe than ever. In a 2016 survey conducted by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), 19.13 percent of respondents reported that the use of hemp products decreased the frequency of seizures and convulsions in their dogs. Even more stunning, 68.8 percent of respondents said they preferred using hemp products to conventional medicine. Be excited, but don’t go giving your dog or cat tasty CBD treats without doing your research first. Animals don’t metabolize cannabis like we do and while “overdose” isn’t much of concern, attention to proper dosage is important. As RxCBD explains on their site, “less is often more” when it comes to cannabis therapeutics and their biphasic properties. CBD can also take time to build up in the system before its effectiveness starts to show more profoundly— or before it shows at all. Sometimes, it can even take as
Big Joe taking a cat nap long as two weeks. Consistency and patience are crucial. Customers can also take comfort in the fact that RxCBD’s team of microbiologists, holistic health professionals, herbalists, engineers, master bakers, and animal nutritionists have done their due diligence for quality control. They use third-party testing procedures and incorporate analysis of cannabinoid and terpene (the aromatic oils unique to each strain of cannabis) profiles. For further dosage accuracy, they also employ double-testing protocol in both the oil and final product. Upon request, RxCBD offers Certificates of Analysis. Therapeutic CBD use for pets may still be in its infancy—at least scientifically—but hey, we think real results from real people and their pets are pretty compelling. Plus, it’s legal in all 50 states. If you’re interesting in alternative ways of treating what ails you (of course you are!) or the other species you share your home with, visit RxCBD online at www.rxcbd.co.
RACHAEL HELLMAN Sources can be found at foxandnug.com/articles
FALL 2016 • FOX & NUG 4
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7 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
It is our favorite time of year at FOX & NUG. The leaves are changing, the buds are finishing and we take some rare time out of our lives to feast and feel happy around our most favorite friends and family members.
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JEWELRY BY BLUNTED OBJECTS | www.bluntedobjects.com
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13 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
Make your Danksgiving epic with these easy to follow, mouth-watering recipes curated by our own master chef Dionicio Cordero.
PG 19 PG 18 PG 20
OG YEAST ROLLS
TWICE “BAKED” POTATOES
MEDICATED CARAMEL
FALL 2016 • FOX & NUG 14
HIGH HEN 3 WAYS
ROASTED
FRIED
SMOKED
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
3 cornish hens 1 lemon ½ onion 2 oz medicated olive oil 1 tbs. Salt Fresh herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary)
3 cornish hens 2 oz medicated olive oil 1 tbs salt 3 tbs of maple syrup 1 orange
3 cornish hens 1 - 100 mg Cherry Bomb Keef Cola 1 tbs salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Let marinade for 24-48 hours. Remove hens from marinade and dust with your favorite smokey seasonings, place in smoker at 250 degrees for 1.5-2 hours. Hens are ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
INSTRUCTIONS Let marinade for 24-48 hours. Remove hens from marinade and stuff them with the chunks of lemon, onion and herb left over from the marinade. Truss the chickens and season on the outside with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 35 minutes at 350. Then roast for an additional 15-20 minutes at 400. Remove from the oven let cool for 5 minutes and serve whole.
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Let marinade for 24-48 hours. Remove hens from marinade and pat dry to the best of your ability. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, cumin, salt and pepper and fry 40-45 minutes at 370 degrees. Remove from fryer and let rest for at least 5 minutes or until cool enough to eat.
INSTRUCTIONS
See more online at : www.foxandnug.com/recipes
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
1 lb. whole frozen cranberries 3 Menert Mule Keef Colas ¼ c. honey 1/3 c. granulated sugar 3 cinnamon sticks Rind from 1 whole lemon 2 c. white wine 2 c. water
Toast cinnamon sticks in pot until a pleasant aroma fills the kitchen, add cranberries and let cranberries soften a bit. Add the rest of the ingredients when the cranberries have softened and let simmer until the desired consistency. Approx. 45 min. to an hour. Let cool completely before spooning into the desired serving dish or mold and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Once chilled it’s ready to eat. @foxandnug @keefcola
MENERT MULE CRANBERRY SAUCE
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INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
1 ½ - 2 loaves of bread 8 eggs 2 c cream 2 c white wine 2 c your favorite cheese 2 poblanos 1 onion 6 oz mushrooms 8 cloves garlic 2 oz medicated butter melted 1.5 tbs salt 1 tsp pepper
Sautee sliced poblanos mushrooms onion garlic over medium high heat and season to taste then set aside to let chill. Tear stale bread into smaller pieces and place in a mixing bowl. In a separate mixing bowl combine eggs, cream, cheese, wine, salt n pepper and whisk until homogenous. Then pour egg & cream mixture over torn bread and work together until you have created a dough like mass. Pour over 2 oz of melted medicated butter, let sit in. Wrap with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Serve warm.
INFUSED PAN FUMADO
17 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
TWICE “BAKED” POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
12 yukon gold potatoes 8 oz cream 2 tbs medicated butter 2 red bell peppers, roasted ½ tbs garlic powder ½ tbs onion powder Pinch of cayenne TT Salt & Pepper
On broiler setting or over a grill roast your red pepper until heavily charred on all sides and very soft and place in a ziplock bag and seal it to cool. Once cooled, under running water peel off the charred skin and remove skin, stem, seeds and ribs. Chop into smaller pieces. Roast your 12 yukon potatoes at 350 for 40 - 1 hr and then set aside to chill. Once chilled remove a small sliver from the top and bottom so the potato will sit flat, using a small spoon remove most of the insides of the potato leaving at least ¼ - ½ inch of skin left on the potato. Place in a mixing bowl and add roasted peppers, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne and turn on medium with the whip attachment. Once flavors are well mixed, slowly add melted cannabutter and cream salt and pepper to your desired consistency and taste. Place the contents of the bowl into a zip lock bag and remove the tip then fill the potato shells with the delicious mixture. Chill in the fridge until ready to cook, or place directly into the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 375.
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OG YEAST ROLLS
INGREDIENTS 1 c. warm water 2 packets of active dry yeast 1 tsp sugar ½ cup medicated butter 1/3 cup sugar 3 eggs 2 tsp salt 4 cups of flour
INSTRUCTIONS Combine warm water sugar and yeast to make the yeast mixture. Mix well until slightly frothy, let sit for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile : In a mixer with a dough hook add the 1/3 cup of sugar, 3 eggs and melted butter. Once frothy and doubled in size add the yeast mixture into the bowl and then slowly add in salt and flour 1 cup at a time. Once formed off the side of the walls, remove the dough from the mixer and knead for 5 minutes set aside to proof for 30 - 40 minutes. Bake in the oven at 375 for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown on top. Sprinkle with salt on top for texture and flavor. Garnish with pumpkin butter (See page 21)
19 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
2 cups sugar 2 oz medicated butter 4 oz cream ½ tsp pumpkin spice 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp clove ½ tsp vanilla
Combine sugar in a pot with a candy thermometer to 212 degrees. Once color occurs allow to darken and stir rigorously until a dark amber syrup forms. Toss in cream, butter and keep whisking continuously. Add additional cream unti lit reaches the desired consistency along with spices. Let cool, and serve . Works best out of a squirt bottle. To see the roasted caramel apple recipe visit us online at foxandnug.com Recipes by : Dionicio Cordero
MEDICATED CARAMEL
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ROASTED PUMPKIN CANNBIS BUTTER
INGREDIENTS 6 oz roasted pumpkin 2 oz unsalted butter *cold 2 oz medicated butter *cold 2 tbs. Brown sugar ¼ tsp pumpkin spice ¼ tsp cinnamon A dash of clove
INSTRUCTIONS Roast pumpkin in the oven at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until soft. Let cool for 5 minutes, scoop warm pumpkin into the blender and on a low speed add sugar and spices and slowly add both kinds of cold chopped butter to the blender. This will bring the pumpkin down to temperature and thicken it. Throw in the fridge to continue cooling. Remove when the butter has reached the desired temperature. See more recipes online at www.foxandnug.com/recipes
21 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
PROJECT
HARTdaze
ETSY.COM/SHOP/PROJECTHARTDAZE
FALL 2016 • FOX & NUG 22
where OG Means Organic 23 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
T
he cannabis industry just got schooled in eco-conscious marijuana cultivation and packaging. Honest Marijuana is a revolutionary new wholesaling company who intends to lead the industry by packaging their organically grown cannabis in truly sustainable, recycled packaging. We met with the founder, Anthony Franciosi, to learn more about how, and why, they came to this revelation of ecological responsibility. “The truth is we choose organic production because that is what we prefer to put into our bodies. Nobody really knows the true implications that the mass production of cannabis utilizing harsh commercial nutrients and pesticides will have on the consumers and ecosystems where it (cannabis) is grown.” Honest Marijuana doesn’t just stop at mindful production though. The company is one of the very first companies to package their cannabis in a recycled tin, utilizing nitrogen technology to preserve the cannabis at the peak of perfection. Sounds fancy right?
We had to open ours tin right away, and you wouldn’t be surprised if every head in the restaurant started tipping their noses to the air. The pungent, bright buds sparkled in the tin and had been expertly cured. The bud retained the perfect amount of moisture which is not something we get to experience a lot in this arid climate. The trichomes and terpenes were unadulterated in their perfect container and the smoke was smooth and satisfying. When we asked Antony Franciosi, owner of Honest Marijuana, about his plans for the future, he pulled out a new product they are about to release called Honest Blunt. The company is making blunt wraps with reconstituted hemp and mint leaves instead of tobacco. This could change everything. We did the math yesterday and on average, my husband and I smoke 3,000 blunts a year, which is a grossly conservative figure. This company could completely eliminate the need for one of the most unhealthy pairings most people make with cannabis today: tobacco wraps. We’re grateful when companies like this come to market. It’s clear that they have a daring vision and intend to address a lot of the things most producers won’t even dare touch by eliminating the unhealthy products we regularly use to grow and smoke cannabis. Visit them online at www.honestmarijuana.com to learn more or to inquire about carrying these revolutionary cannabis products in your store or pick up Honest Marijuana at any of the following locations : Park Range Recreationals | Oak Creek. CO The Golden Leaf | Steamboat Springs, CO Kush Gardens | De Beque, CO Elite Organics, | Fort Collins, CO Smokeys 420 House | Fort Collins, CO
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25 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
J A M E K A
Say hello to the lovely and enchanting Jameka. This 22 year old vision from heaven is one of the sweetest and most delicate flowers we’ve ever shot. A true Colorado native, she was cool and breezy and brought a new kind of style and beauty to the set. Jameka is currently redefining her portfolio and intends to be an enterprising brand ambassador and model in the booming cannabis industry. In her free time, Jameka likes to hike, boat and plan her future conquests. When we asked Jameka what she is passionate about she replied, “I absolutely love fashion, design and beauty. Cannabis helps me find my creativity and inspiration.” So in all fashion of the sense it was a treat to work with this girly girl and all American beauty. Jameka prefers smoking sativas and blunts but lit up like a sparkler when we gave her one of the sativa Oil Stix from Keef Cola. For 2 hours she puffed and passed and posed and made our day a complete success. Thank you Jameka for being such a sweet little lover of cannabis and a delight to work with. We look forward to many more shoots with this daring and bright little fox!
See more of her set online at foxandnug.com/fox Makeup by Elevated Models Oil Stix Provided by Keef Cola
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FEATURED FOX• Jameka
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FOX OF THE MONTH • Emalee Hyde 29 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
FALL 2016 • FOX & NUG 30 FEATURED FOX • Jameka
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MR GOOD CHEM LINEAGE : Classified CULTIVATED BY : Good Chemistry FLOWER TIME : ~56 Days
FLAVORS : This sativa dominant strain is one of Good Chemistry’s most cherished cultivars. These chunky green nugs were rich with terpenes and trichomes. We smoked an entire ounce and couldn’t quite coin the flavor, but it is one of the most intoxicating and pungent aromas of hash covered grapefruit and pine we’ve ever seen and we just had to keep putting our nose in it.
EFFECTS : Mr. Good Chem is an incredible daytime or nighttime weed. Euphoria and inspiration are experienced within moments of puffing. Users report a focused, creative high accompanied by stress relief and the giggles. Pick up an ounce at Good Chemistry and see why this gorgeous nug made the cut!
This Noteworthy Nug Sponsored by Good Chemistry Aurora & Denver | www.goodchem.org | @goodchem
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NOTEWORTHY NUG • Mr Good Chem 33 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
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A
STROLOGY READING DENVER'S PREMIER CANNABIS CO-WORKING FACILITY & EVENT VENUE
35 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
OFFICE SPACE DESK SPACE CONFERENCE ROOMS EVENT VENUE
BUSINESS SERVICES CONSULTING NETWORKING EVENTS CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
www.cultivatedsynergy.com @cultivatedsynergy Facebook.com/CultivatedSynergy FALL 2016 • FOX & NUG 36
US PATENT NO.
DEA says marijuana has “no medicial value” - community calls “bullshit” It’s a brave new world out there people. Stark raving lunatics are out on the streets, looking for every nook and cranny to get their fix of the vile green stuff. The pillars of humanity are falling all around us as society nears its complete and total collapse into the fiery wretches of the scorched earth we’ve made. As I sit here in my bunker, wondering where the world has gone since the day they legalized weed in 4 states, all I can do is wonder when we can go back to simpler, better times… Oh who am I kidding, things are much better now. It’s easier than ever to get the weed you need, and the quality in recent years has gone through the roof. With the medicalindustrial complex in full swing, it’s kind of nice to know that there’s a cheap, very easy fix for a lot of day to day ailments from anxiety to epilepsy. For a lot of people, a dispensary is just as viable as a pharmacy. In many cases it’s actually better - from the lack of side effects to not putting you into inconceivable medical debt.
37 FOX & NUG • FALL 2016
When the DEA recently stated that they’re leaving marijuana as a schedule 1 drug – a drug that has absolutely no medical value -it gives you pause to wonder just what on earth half the states in the union are smoking to think that cannabis is good for you. Oh wait... Well, when 25 states plus DC seem to think it does have medical value, that creates a huge disconnect from the feds and the states. The DEA has now further stated that there’s simply “not enough evidence” linking marijuana as a treatment for several maladies. The fact of the matter is that marijuana does have medical value. From helping with the devastating side effects of chemotherapy to psoriasis, definitive medical value has been shown in labs and beyond. And what is worse is that the government knows this. US Patent No 6630507 states: “Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia.” Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the DEA has decided that truth doesn’t fit the narrative they’re trying to write, and so it’s in their favor to simply not acknowledge
new evidence. After all, the DEA makes millions of dollars from civil asset forfeiture, (a different article to itself. Look that up if you want to ruin your day) and finalizes most of its budget for the year by saying how much is necessary to “combat” said drugs. If you’re a multimillion dollar business, why would it ever be in your favor to get rid of one of your most profitable products? You can see the conflict of interest here, and like so many situations right now unfortunately, money getting into bed with government makes a very ugly baby. It’s so easy to simply say “there’s not enough evidence” to anything and impede scientific progress for decades. There are tons of examples over the years with this happening, and in the end everyone loses. Just look at the story of leaded gasoline. Notice that all the gas stations you go to fill up have the description of “unleaded” for all of the types of gas? That’s because for decades, we were putting actual lead into gas to improve octane ratings. The lead spewed into the atmosphere, causing many citizens’ blood to have fairly high concentrations of the stuff. Elevated lead levels have really nasty implications for developing brains of adolescents especially, and the companies knew this. It would take loads of money to redevelop a new type of gas as cheaply as leaded gas, so the easy solution was to simply not do it. Whenever more and more research came to point out the nasty effects, the companies would simply say “there’s not enough evidence”. Finally legislation came through that banned it completely in 1996.
I guess there’s the lesson. Time and time again the government wants to keep the war on drugs going. They think they can get “tough” about drug users and make America the safe bastion it was meant to be. Yet here we are again at a crossroads where the money trail says otherwise. Turns out there’s more money to be made (for the DEA at least, taxpayers lose out big time) by simply denying science and overwhelming evidence yet again. It’s easy to feel powerless and see things from the big picture and become a bit cynical, but there is hope. By consistently voting on smaller scale elections and helping to educate the community, we can end this. By having a larger majority of states embrace medical marijuana, the DEA has that much less of a leg to stand on whenever they make these outrageous claims. I think I’ve got just the remedy for my high blood pressure from writing this article.
Trey Booth Sources can be found at foxandnug.com/articles
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A
s medical marijuana becomes more accessible, women begin to rekindle a long-lost connection. Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty and fertility, was believed by many ancient Europeans to exist inside the cannabis plant. Consuming the flowers was to consume her feminine energy. The harvesting of cannabis was celebrated with an erotic festival dedicated to Freya and her divine femininity. In many cultures across the world, cannabis was revered as a gift from the gods to womankind. This gift was meant to help with women with the pains— physical or otherwise—of being a woman. In the 19th Century, Queen Victoria‘s royal physicians prescribed a marijuana concoction to relieve menstrual pain, and women in ancient Egypt even used cannabis during labor to aid with contractions. Today, womankind’s relationship to the plant hardly resembles that same connection. Blame it on government regulation. And, of course, the weight of patriarchal society. If you have, or have ever had, a uterus reclaiming access to medical marijuana as an option for reproductive health could be life changing. Because of its illegality, much is unknown about just how helpful the plant can be to women, but we do know its effect on the endocannabinoid system can help with anything from premenstrual symptoms, to fertility, to menopause.
PMS One thing a woman knows well is the pain that accompanies her period. Thankfully, marijuana has been shown to relieve pain in many parts of the body including the womb. THC can quell the anxiety, nausea,
painful cramps, headaches, and depression associated with PMS and PMDD. Thanks to companies like Whoopi & Maya, the sweet relief of THC for menstrual discomfort is making its way to the forefront of the medical marijuana movement. Founded by actress Whoopi Goldberg and awardwinning edibles maker Maya Elisabeth, Whoopi & Maya have created a line of chocolates, soaks, tinctures, and lotions that relieve menstrual pain. “This was all inspired by my own experience from a lifetime of difficult periods and the fact that cannabis was literally the only thing that gave me relief,” Whoopi remarks. ENDOMETRIOSIS Endometriosis, a disease in which the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, impacts 10 percent of women. That’s a staggering 176 million women worldwide. This can cause infertility, hormonal imbalances, and debilitating pain during menstrual periods or sometimes 24/7. There is no cure for endometriosis, and women are often prescribed high doses or hormones to stop their periods all together, or just left to deal with the pain. The end of suffering for millions of women may lie in the under-researched, complex system of receptors called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system consists of a series of receptors that are configured only to accept cannabinoids, like THC and CBD found in cannabis. Endometriosis is linked to endocannabinoid deficiency (ECD). All parts of the endocannabinoid system are present in the human ovary, and women with endometriosis have lower levels of cannabinoid receptors in endometrial tissue. Reduced endocannabinoid system function leads to growth of endometriosis throughout the body and more pain. We already know about the pain-relieving properties of cannabis, but can the plant heal the root cause of endometriosis? More research needs to done to answer that question, but we know consuming cannabis can help with the symptoms. Topical THC lotions can help with back and pelvic pain, and juicing cannabis can relieve the inflammation caused by endometriosis.
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PCOS Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another chronic illness that effects women’s reproductive system. It is a hormonal imbalance caused by small, benign cysts on the ovaries. This causes irregular painful periods, infertility, weight gain, acne, facial hair, and in some cases, diabetes and heart disease. COS is effected by the endocannibinoid system very much like endometriosis, but PCOS has the added factor of insulin resistance. Cannabis is known to stabilize blood sugar levels as well as lower blood pressure to improve circulation in diabetic PCOS patients. The “how” of treated PCOS with cannabis is largely unknown due to lack of research, but the “why” is shown in the millions of women struggling with this complicated and life-altering disease. MENOPAUSE Menopause – an experience know to all women since the beginning of human life. Yet why it is still something women suffer through using treatment methods that have unpleasant, painful, and sometimes deadly side effects? Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) is the normal protocol when it comes to thwarting the symptoms of menopause such as bone loss and hot flashes. But this therapy comes with a higher risk of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Again, taking a look at the endcannabionoid system is the key to finding a better solution to the symptoms of menopause. Lack of endocannabinoids signaling may be responsible for some of the negative symptoms. Estrogen levels are linked to endocannabinoid levels, and both peak at ovulation, and this does not occur in a menopausal woman. Also, lowered
levels of estrogen during and after menopause means less activation of the endocannabinoid system and poor ability to respond to stress and elevate mood accordingly. Reactivating the endocannabinoid system with cannabis can be the alternative to ERT that does not have all the lifethreatening side effects. Cannabis can regulate bone loss and boost serotonin signaling and lower body temperature, which can reduce hot flashes and anxiety associated with menopause. SEX Probably the most overlooked subject when it comes to woman’s health is healthy, enjoyable sex. Thankfully, cannabis, again, has you covered! The plant can reduce pain during sex, enhance orgasm, and reignite your sex drive. Our friends at Foria have been mastering the art of the big “O” with their cannabis- infused products for the female. Infused topical lubricants and medicated vaginal suppositories take away pain and increase pleasure. What more can you ask for?
As states begin to legalize medical marijuana, we begin to see women’s connection to the healing properties of marijuana rekindle. More research must be conducted to build the argument for cannabis as an option for women struggling with reproductive issues. After centuries of women’s health being a misunderstood afterthought, today women must continue to fight for what is best for their bodies. If medical marijuana is not legal in your state, reach out to your local representatives, sign your state’s petition, and make your voice heard. When it comes to your health – research your options, speak up, and above all – trust what your body is telling you.
Nicole conlay
Sources can be found at foxandnug.com/articles
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AN EXPERT’S GUIDE TO HARVEST SEASON Happy harvest fellow growers and green-thumb extraordinaires. I hope you were blessed enough to have a healthy sun-grown cannabis crop this year. Our season has come and almost gone. Only a few crucial steps await us as we aim for quality flowers during harvest, dry, trim, and cure. I hope to give you a few bits of advice to aid in your overall harvesting process.
HARVEST When are they ready? Let’s get super close to our buds on our ladies to see just how ready they are. With a 30-60x scope we are looking out for an array of milky white to amber mushroom-shaped trichomes. Preferences will differ in this portion of harvest. I personally like to cut the entire plant down when the trichomes are mostly amber. This is the most mature state of the trichs before they actually burst open. I am a heavy indica grower so I definitely benefit from going the full length into amber territory gaining the most sedative, body affecting highs. Now that your plants have gone the distance and trichomes are looking just right, it’s time to de-fan them. While the plants are still in the ground or pots (we used Grass Roots Fabric Pots this year) remove all of the larger fan leaves that don’t consist of any visible trichomes and make teas or salves with them! Taking these fan leaves off will allow the air to flow easier to our buds during our hanging/drying phase. After the plants look like bricks on sticks I take a saw after the stalk and then take them to hang. If you grew large plants it might be a good idea to cut the plant into sections before it goes to hang and dry.
DRY & HANG First of all, make sure that you designate a room/area large enough to hang and dry your plants; they will need enough space in between plants so they are
not touching another. Fresh air, a dehumidifier, and even a humidifier will be needed as the plants slowly dry. You will need to make sure you have fresh air slowly flowing into the room to help prevent mold and “bud rot.” We want our drying room to be at 50% relative humidity with temperatures between 60-65F. Let your plants hang 10-14 days. Slow and low is the ticket! This is my personal preference of hang time before trimming. If your space is too dry, use a humidifier to bring the humidity back up to 50%.
TRIM & CURE To make sure our buds are ready to trim I simply start bending several branches on my drying plants listening for a “snap” in all of them. This is a good indicator that they’re dry enough to trim. Trim on! After your flowers are shaped and trimmed to preference it’s time to cure. Again, preferences will vary during the cure process. I recommend putting your flowers into airtight containers with a 60/40 bud to air ratio and burping them (open jar for fresh air) 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes each time. I usually burp the jars for at least two to three weeks before diving in to enjoy. Another method used to cure is putting the trimmed flowers in a holy brown paper bag (from your local grocery store) for up to 6 months in 50% humidity at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Talk about a smooth hit. Hopefully this year you’ve chosen to grow and harvest your very own cannabis. I sure hope this article has lent you useful information to get your flowers dried and cured to preference. Remember, this is a process that shouldn’t be rushed. Slow and low is the key. Your body will thank you!
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PUMPKIN
CANNABIS BUTTER
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