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Your Legal Questions
ANSWERED page 22
FEBRUARY 2011 COMPLIMENTARY
w w w. t h e g r e e n l e a f a z . c o m
TABLE OF CONTENTS
the GREENleaf
February 2011 F E AT U R E S
Hydroponic 6 DIY Grow System A step-by-step guide to setting up an indoor grow system for less than $300
the Valley 16 Cruising Smoke Shop Culture R.J. Moss traverses the Valley in search of the best smoke shops
Man, 20 Hey In the Future‌
6
This month, Headley Granger breaks down the potential of MMJ e-cigarettes
D E PA R T M E N T S From the Publisher Local News
3
4
4
Arizona cities and counties are getting a head start on MMJ zoning regulations
Medical
10
What are cannabinoids and what do they do? We have answers
A Patient’s Story
12
A lung cancer patient in her 60s overcomes her qualms about MMJ
Strain Guide
14
The tale of the tape on some of the most popular MMJ strains
A Step Ahead
19
Sage advice from the head of Arizona Patients Association
26
Legal
12 Recipes
23
23
Uncle Duck shares some of his favorites
Reviews
24 26 28
Cool Products Round Two
What issues drew the most comments in the first draft of MMJ rules?
Fun & Games
29
22
Rose Law answers questions about MMJ and the law FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
1
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the GREENleaf FEBRUARY 2011 PUBLISHER
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DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Gisela Swift DIRECTOR
Kui Mi Oh Editor
FROM THE PUBLISHER
T
hanks for picking up the second issue of The Green Leaf and for making our first issue a huge success. Whether you’re a patient, doctor, grower, caregiver, prospective dispensary owner or a new reader
hoping to learn more about medical marijuana, we think you’ll find lots of helpful information in every issue. We hope you’ll also bookmark our web-
Mike R. Meyer
site, www.thegreenleafaz.com, where we’ll continue to bring you exclusive
Contributors
content and breaking news on Arizona’s medical marijuana industry.
Melissa Antonelli, Headley Granger, Nebula Haze, Ryan Hurley, Jason Medar, R.J. Moss, Georgia Peschel, Russell Stefik, Eric Jay Toll, Kathleen Tranchese, Cory Tyszka, Tuesday Wells REQUESTS & GENERAL INQUIRIES
info@thegreenleafaz.com ADVERTISING SALES
sales@thegreenleafaz.com 480-442-0667 SUBMISSIONS
thegreenleafaz.com/submissions All prices, terms, conditions, policies and offers appearing in this magazine are subject to change at any time without prior notice. The Green Leaf does not make any representations or warranties as to the opinions, facts, and information in this book. The Green Leaf thegreenleafaz@gmail.com
The month of February promises to bring more changes to this young industry, as well as numerous opportunities to get involved with the MMJ movement. Below you’ll find a list of upcoming MMJ events, including four public forums to discuss the recently released second draft of MMJ rules. We hope you’ll attend one or more of these events and take advantage of the opportunity to let your voice be heard. These events are also a great way to meet like-minded individuals within Arizona’s MMJ community.
Thanks again for reading and have a fantastic February!
Mike R.Meyer Editor
FEBRUARY MMJ EVENTS
www.thegreenleafaz.com All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without prior permission from The Green Leaf. © 2011 All rights reserved.
Public forums to discuss second draft of MMJ regulations: Monday, February 14, 10 a.m. Flagstaff City Hall, Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff Tuesday, February 15, 3:30 p.m. ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, The Great Hall, 1100 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe Wednesday, February, 16, 3 p.m. UA James E. Rodgers College of Law, Ares Auditorium, 1201 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson Thursday, February 17, 9 a.m. ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, The Great Hall, 1100 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe NORML meetings: Saturday, February 12, 3 p.m. Ward 6 City Council Office, 3202 East First St., Tucson Wednesday, February 16, 7 p.m. The Firehouse Gallery, 1015 N. First St., Phoenix
FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
3
NEWS
BY ERIC JAY TOLL
Local Regulations The Next Hurdle for Medical Marijuana
L
ocal governments are scrambling to adopt Proposition 203 zoning regulations telling cultivators and dispensaries where they can set up shop. A rapidly approaching zoning adoption deadline hit Arizona’s 15 counties and 91 cities when the Department of Health Services released its proposed regulations in mid-December. The buzz in the hall at the November annual conference of the American Planning Association Arizona Chapter was that the state’s first adopted medical marijuana zoning ordinance put very strict standards into place. “I would say (ours) is ‘firm,’” says Chris Poirier, an assistant planning director in Pima County’s Development Services Department in Tucson. “Our ordinance went into effect on Oct. 7. We prepared and passed the local regulations ahead of the election because there was the potential the law would go into effect immediately after it was passed by the voters.” Pima County is the first local government to update zoning regulations defining where the medical marijuana land uses are to be allowed. Pending and newly adopted ordinances in other agencies specify steps required before medical marijuana growers, infusers and sellers can open for businesses. Universally, the ordinances require public hearings before a permit can be approved. Even though 58 percent of Pima County voters supported Proposition 203, the county doesn’t want sellers grouping like an auto mall. “We didn’t want medical marijuana districts where dispensaries cluster together,” Poirier says. Pima County’s ordinance has three major components. First, applicants must produce a state application before the
county’s public hearing process starts. Then, the ordinance separates uses by 2,000 feet, and keeps them more than 1,000 feet from schools, churches and substance abuse facilities. “We are mailing hearing notices to property owners within one-half mile instead of the normal 300-foot [public meeting]notice area,” Poirier says. Pima’s lead is being closely watched and copied by some local governments. Some agencies separate uses into dispensaries, cultivators and caregivers and Queen Creek regulates infusers. “Other ordinances follow similar patterns using a model law from the Arizona League of Towns and Cities, but you can see local choices in the decisions,” says Fountain Hillsbased planning and zoning consultant Loras Rauch. The owner of Contract Planning Services and author of many zoning codes used in Arizona, Rauch points out that zoning is significantly more complex in major cities as opposed to rural towns. “[Local governments] do not see dispensaries and cultivators as ‘just another business,’” Rauch continues, gazing at a large matrix she used to track the different zoning standards. “Pharmacies are mostly part of another use – a Walgreens or Safeway, for example – and dispense legal medications. Normally they open without any public comment. Even most places selling liquor don’t require a local public hearing. Ordinances are treating medical marijuana growing and selling like [sexually-oriented businesses], setting business separation requirements and hearings. From the codes I’ve read, it seems that the uses are going to be limited to commercial and industrial zones.” Ordinance content varies from city to city. Phoenix separates uses by one mile, Mesa by 2,000 feet and Marana by a quarter-mile. With the law silent on the subject of municipal ownership, Globe floated the idea of a city-owned dispensary, but the idea was not pursued. On Dec. 2, Flagstaff’s city council sent its ordinance back to staff for rewriting. Council members thought the zoning requirements were too strict. Most proposed ordinances require state permit approval before submitting a local application. Approved facilities face permit conditions regulating the size of the business, hours, drive-through prohibitions, inventory levels and signage. “I was on a panel in November talking to planning commissioners,” says Rauch. “I told them that if they didn’t have local zoning regulations in place when the state started issuing licenses, they could find dispensaries popping up without regulations.” With only 125 statewide permits allowed by Proposition 203, dispensaries won’t be showing up on every corner like continued on page 30
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
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DIY Hydroponic Grow System
FOR LESS THAN
$300
By Nebula Haze
The Basic Idea This grow system is designed for the beginner as an easy, low-cost introductory method to growing marijuana. All the items needed can be purchased either online or at a hardware store or your local hydroponic shop. This isn’t the be-all and end-all to growing your own stash, but if you’re a newcomer, this will help you get your first grow (and some confidence) under your belt. You will be growing your marijuana plants indoors in a soil-less mixture of Coconut Coir (also known as coco coir) and perlite (provides great aeration and drainage). Neither medium attracts bugs, and because your plants’ roots get access to superior amounts of both oxygen and water, your plants will grow much faster than if they were grown in soil. For lights, all you need are some cheap compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which are available at most hardware stores. Many people don’t realize that CFLs provide the full spectrum of light that your plants need to grow. CFLs will provide a great amount of light, they use a fraction of the electricity that an HID light uses, and they stay cool enough to be placed 2 to 5 inches away from your plant. Therefore, one of your main duties during this grow will be to adjust the lights to make sure they don’t burn your plants. For me, adjusting the lights was one of the most fun parts of my first grow because it felt like I was able to actively participate in my plants’ growth. Your plants can’t really get too much light from CFLs and the only thing you need to worry about with the CFLs is the amount of heat they give off. Basically, if you put your hand where your
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
•
• plants are closest to the light and the light feels too hot to be comfortable, then the light is too close. Your only other main duty will be to water your plants whenever you notice that the top layer of the coco coir is dry. If you grow your plants in big 5-gallon pots, you may only need to water them every three or four days. If you grow your plants in smaller pots, you may need to water more often. You will provide your plants with all the nutrients they need right in their water. Because they don’t have to seek out the nutrients from the soil, your plants will spend less energy trying to find nutrients and instead spend that energy producing big buds.
What you will need to get started • •
•
•
Marijuana seeds or clones High-quality hydroponic nutrients (I recommend using Fox Farms Hydroponic Liquid Nutrient trio and following the included instructions exactly) Pots to put your plants in (I recommend getting 1- to 5-gallon pots depending on the size of your grow area and how big you want your plants to grow. Remember that you will have to water plants more often if they’re kept in small pots, but larger pots will need more light) Coco coir and perlite (mixed half
•
•
and half for best results), both of which can be purchased cheaply online or at a hydroponics garden store. I personally used a coco coir hydroponic potting mix which is part of the Roots Organics line by Aurora. This potting mix already has perlite added to it and costs less than $25 for a big bag. CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights). You can find a 42-watt CFL bulb at your local hardware store for around $10, and to start, you should have at least two of the 42-watt bulbs per plant. Enough light sockets for all your light bulbs (They’re less than $5 apiece at my hardware store). Usually they also come with some sort of clip you can use to clip your lights anywhere. A timer to make your lights go on and off when you want. You can get a cheap one for $5 or spend up to $30 getting a nice digital one. You don’t necessarily need one to start, but you will need to get a timer by the time you start flowering your plant (about a month in). A pH testing kit. You can find these in pet stores in the aquarium section, but it’s a better idea to get one specifically for growing (still under $10) as it tests for pH in a more useful range for growing.
How to get started
your coco coir potting mix. Water thoroughly until water drains out the bottom and then add your seeds or clones. Set up your CFLs so that they’re about 4 inches away from your plants to start. Nutrients You will want to start feeding your plants with water (some growers prefer filtered water, but tap water is fine in my experience) mixed with nutrients at one-quarter strength and work your way up to full strength nutrients over the course of a week or two. One of the biggest mistakes many new growers make is giving their plants too many nutrients, which can hurt your plants. Most brands of nutrients will come with a hydroponic feeding schedule which can usually be followed exactly. After you have added your nutrients to your water, you’ll want to adjust the pH of the solution to around 5.5 to 6.0 to ensure proper nutrient absorption. You will need to water your plants whenever the top of the coco coir starts feeling dry. This will start out with you watering the plants every couple of days when they’re small, and may end up with you watering them once a day towards the end of the plants’ flowering cycle. You want to ensure that you have a little extra run-off water come out the bottom of the container whenever you water your plants to ensure that unused nutrients don’t build up in your
You will need to set up your grow lights so that they start out a little higher than the height of your pots, and are able to be raised to the final height of your plants. There are a million ways to set up or hang the lights and you will need to do what works for your grow area. The simplest method is to either hang them from the bar in your closet or you can also clamp the lights onto something nearby that is the right height. Optionally, fill the first couple inches of your pots with perlite for extra drainage, and then fill the rest of the pot with FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
7
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST FOR GROWING FIVE PLANTS • Marijuana Seeds or Clones: Free-$10 per plant • Fox Farms Hydroponic Nutrient Trio (quart): $45 • Coco Coir and perlite (optional): $25-$35 • Five pots: $1-$5 each • Three or four 40w CFLs per plant: $7-$10 per light • Three or four light sockets per plant: $4-$7 each • Power timer: $5-$30 • pH Kit: $10-$30 Total: $265 - $555 in total start-up costs for five plants. With fewer plants, you can get started for even less!
Pros • Cheap and easy to start and maintain • Can easily produce 1-2 ounces of dried bud per plant in 3-4 months • You can use this method even if you have a very small grow space and still get a good amount of medicine
Cons • Not practical for a large grow (10+ plants) • Not suitable if you will be away from your plants for more than 2-3 days at a time
medium. Coco coir and perlite are very forgiving if you accidentally over- or under-water your plants, but make sure to adjust your watering schedule accordingly if you notice your plants’ leaves are wilting or drooping. Vegetative Period During the vegetative stage, your marijuana plants are only worried about growing and getting big. In order to keep your plants in the vegetative stage, they
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
will need to get at least 18 hours of light a day. This simulates summer weather when the days are long. You can give your plants as much as 24 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage, but you’ll find success as long as you stay within that 18- to 24-hour range. The method to determine how long to keep your plants in the vegetative stage is slightly different depending on whether you started with seeds or clones. If you’ve started your plants as seeds, you need to keep them in the vegetative stage until they are at least 50-60 days old or else you will not get enough resin production from your buds in the flowering stage. If you’ve started your plants off as clones, you do not need to worry about their age when determining how long to keep them in the vegetative stage. With clones, you only need to be worried about how tall your plant is. Your plant can double its height in the flowering stage, so you will want to keep the plant in the vegetative stage until it’s about half its desired final height. I switch my plants from vegetative to flowering when they’re between 6 and 18 inches tall. Flowering Stage In the flowering stage, your plants stop worrying about growing as much, and start putting their energy into growing flowers/buds. You will need to tell your plant when it’s time to start flowering. In the wild, marijuana plants start flowering when the days start getting shorter because that’s a sign that winter is coming. In order to simulate the same conditions, you will need to switch your light schedule so that your lights are on for 12 hours a day and off for 12 hours a day. After making the switch in light schedule, you will start noticing the first signs of your plant’s gender in about one or two weeks. Female plants will grow white hairs and males will start growing grape-like balls. In order to maximize the amount of bud you harvest, you’ll want to make sure you remove any male plants so they don’t pollinate your females. If
male and female plants stay together, than your females will end up making lots of seeds instead of buds. You also don’t get any usable buds from a male plant, only pollen. As the plants get taller and start blooming, you may need to get a couple more CFLs to light them from the sides. Basically, if you see a shadowy spot, then your plant would benefit from an extra light there. Towards the end of your plants’ flowering cycle, you may notice that some of the oldest leaves start turning yellow and falling off. This is totally normal and is a sign that your plants are taking nitrogen out of the leaves and putting it into the buds/flowers. This is a signal that it’s getting close to harvest time, and you’ll usually want to stop giving your plants nutrients with their water for the last two weeks to ensure the best possible taste for your final product. Harvest There are many methods to determine when to harvest your plants, so your best bet is to do some research to determine the ideal time to “pull your plants down.” Harvest schedules can vary based on time, space and expected yield, so comparing notes with fellow growers is the best way to maximize the rewards for all your hard work.
Final Thoughts It can be hard to decide what you want to do for your first grow because it seems like there are a million options. However, this method is a cheap, easy and effective way to get started with growing and still get great results. After having one successful grow under your belt, I guarantee that the whole process will start making more sense. If you have any questions about this method, please contact me through my website, GrowWeedEasy.com and I will answer you promptly. There is also a Problems and Symptoms guide on GrowWeedEasy.com to help you if you run into any problems. Happy Growing!
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FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
9
FYI MARIJUANA Breaking Down the Benefits of Medical Marijuana: The Components of Cannabis and Their Uses
W
ith marijuana’s recorded use as a medicine dating back nearly 5,000 years and modern medical research confirming its use in treating countless medical conditions, cannabis sure seems like a cure-all miracle drug. It’s been used to treat everything from chronic pain and glaucoma, to alleviating the nausea, vomiting and other symptoms associated with harsh cancer and HIV/AIDS treatments. Why? Research suggests this is in large part because the cannabinoids found in marijuana mimic compounds called endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced by our bodies and are key factors for maintaining good health. Recent research has shown that these endocannabinoids play a key role in many biological functions, including blood pressure, appetite, bone mass, anxiety control, motor coordination and reproduction. A 1998 study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences also found that mice with an inadequate endocannabinoid system experienced an increase in premature death and were also unusually underactive. Additionally, a 2004 study conducted by GW Pharmaceuticals found that ailments such as migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other treatment-resistant conditions may be caused by an underlying clinical endocannabinoid—which may explain why cannabis is such an effective medicine for these medical conditions and countless others. The cannabis plant has 66 different cannabinoids, most of which are closely related and fall into only 10 groups. Here’s a look at some of the biggest players and their benefits:
THC: (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is the most psychologically active compound in cannabis, and it is also one of the most therapeutic. THC has analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-tremor, anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant and anti-emetic properties that are used for a variety of ailments such as: eating disorders, side effects of chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, seizures and more. It also has the ability to alter behavior, mood perception, and consciousness. Additionally, THC has been found to reduce tumor growth and reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in mice.
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
(E)-BCP (Beta-caryophyllene)
(E)-BCP is a natural and powerful anti-inflammatory component that is also found in food items like black pepper, oregano, basil, lime, cinnamon, carrots and celery. Unlike THC, this cannabinoid does not affect the brain, meaning it will not produce psychotropic effects. Researchers say (E)-BCP could be an effective treatment for pain, arthritis, cirrhosis, nausea, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis and other ailments without getting patients high.
CBC (Cannabichromene)
Oftentimes, cannabinoids work together to create the healing properties of pot. CBC is a good example of this, as it promotes the effects of THC. CBC also has sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and very promising antibiotic properties.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is a non-psychoactive component of marijuana, which means it is not intoxicating. It is believed that the presence of CBD in cannabis may moderate the euphoric effects of THC. CBD has anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, anti-oxidant, sedative, neuroprotective, blood-pressure lowering, pain-killing and immunomodulatory properties, and appears to relieve convulsions, inflammation, anxiety, and nausea. It also works in conjunction with THC to treat chronic pain. In 2001, GW Pharmaceuticals found that only a combination of CBD and THC offered analgesic effects for MS patients. Taken alone, neither CBD nor THC was as effective in treating chronic pain as they were in combination.
CBG (Cannabigerol)
Cannabigerol is the first cannabinoid produced in the plant. It is the biogenetic precursor of all the other cannabinoids. It has sedative effects and antimicrobial properties, and it will induce drowsiness and makes one sleepy. Studies suggest that CBG may reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients and contribute to marijuana’s antibiotic properties. CBG has shown significant ability to counteract and prevent tumor formation.
CBN (Cannabinol)
Cannabinol is somewhat psychoactive at roughly 10% the activity of THC. CBN is a breakdown product that occurs when THC is exposed to light or heat. CBN causes drowsiness and reduces spasms.
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin is a psychoactive cannabinoid that may help treat diabetes and is being investigated as an anti-obesity drug. THCV is found in its largest quantities in sativa strains.
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11
MEDICAL
BY TUESDAY WELLS
A Patient’s Story Medical Marijuana and Chinese Acupuncture
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
P
amalyn Tilby is a 66-year-old widow living in Wickenburg. When she discovered Prop 203 had passed, she was thrilled. Pamalyn has Stage IV lung cancer. Although she never smoked a day in her life, she was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis at a young age. She has had asthma since she was 4 years old. Even though most people associate lung cancer with long-term cigarette smoking, this is not always the case. Chronic bronchitis can be the precursor to emphysema or lung cancer. Pamalyn has to travel 40 long miles for her cancer treatment and now naturopathic treatment. She turned to naturopathic medicine, holistic healing treatment and alternative medicine when her doctor said “Get your affairs in order.” That was almost four years ago. Pamalyn is now exploring natural ways to deal with side effects. One is Chinese acupuncture that is thousands of years old. The Chinese have successfully used acupuncture for centuries, treating everything from toothaches and athlete’s foot to cancer and everything in between. Pamalyn visits an acupuncturist once a week and plans to combine Chinese acupuncture with medical marijuana. “I won’t be able to light it up and smoke it, but my doctor says I will be able to eat it,” she says. At this point, Pamalyn says she is willing to try anything. The nausea she experiences is debilitating. “It’s amazing what you are willing to try or do to reduce pain and nausea,” she says. Pamalyn was never pro-marijuana in the past until she was diagnosed with Stage II lung cancer and was “at the end of [her] rope” when it came to pain management. “I never even smoked cigarettes,” she says. “And I was against the hippie movement in the ‘60s and ‘70s. I was raised in a strict Catholic household and drugs were absolutely forbidden… but I am ready to try medical marijuana when it is here.” Pamalyn is certainly a candidate, although which doctors will recommend medical marijuana is still up in the air. When I suggest she try it in brownies and incorporate it into other foods, she beams and says “Oh I like brownies. My doctor says I can have pastries!” I consulted a pastry chef who is a recent graduate of a renowned local culinary institute. She graciously did some research and gave me five or six index cards with recipes that incorporate medical marijuana in various foods. The pastry chef explains that these are just some of the recipes available that best mask the taste of the pungent weed. “You want your patient to eat it, and it is imperative that it tastes good,” she says. As a marijuana novice, Pamalyn is grateful for the help. “I don’t know if it will relieve all of my symptoms, or even if it will help any of them,” she says, “but I am willing to try.”
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STRAIN GUIDE MEDICINAL QUALITIES Parkinson’s disease Insomnia Chronic Pain Depression
BUBBA KUSH Lineage: Bubblegum x Kush
THC Content Level: 10%-18%
Sativa/indica: Indica
Height: up to 48 inches
Effect: extreme relaxation, sleepiness
Climate: Indoor
Scent: sweet, slightly fruity, hints
Flowering: 7-8 weeks
of ginger and pine Taste: earthy, lemon, coffee
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
Yield: up to 200 grams
STRAIN GUIDE
MEDICINAL QUALITIES Arthritis Chronic Pain Glaucoma
OG SKYWALKER Lineage: Skywalker [Mazar x Blueberry] x OG [Chem dawg x (Afpak x Lemon Thai)] Sativa/indica: Indica dominant hybrid Effect: extreme relaxation, sleepiness
THC Content Level: 15%-20% Height: up to 48 inches Climate: Indoor
Scent: sweet with a sour undertone
Flowering: 8-9 weeks
Taste: piney, kushy flavors
Yield: 250-350 grams
MEDICINAL QUALITIES Alzheimer’s Disease Depression Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) Multiple Sclerosis
SOUR DIESEL Lineage: Chem Dawg (Male) x Mass Superskunk (Female) Sativa/indica: Sativa dominant hybrid
THC Content Level: 15%-20% Height: up to 54 inches
Effect: Promotes focus, creativity and alertness
Climate: Indoor
Scent: Extremely pungent, diesel fuel with lemony overtones
Flowering: 10-12 weeks
Taste: lemony overtones, sour aftertaste
Yield: 250-350 grams
FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
15
A Baby Boomer Rediscovers the Joy of Head Shops I entered my first “head shop” in Old Town Chicago in 1969. I could smell the incense from the sidewalk. I loved the posters, aglow with black light. I was fascinated by the Age-of-Aquarius styles of art, jewelry and clothing; but what really blew me away were the elegantly crafted pipes and bongs, designed for the specific purpose of smoking… marijuana!
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
BY R.J. MOSS
There was a certain magic in those shops, a feeling of belonging to a fringe culture and the lure of forbidden behaviors. The head shops have since evolved into “smoke shops,” but many have retained that same magic with their artistic glassware, colorful paraphernalia and counterculture merchandise. I originally decided to take a sentimental journey to every smoke shop in the Valley. That was before I tallied more than 35 such businesses. I quickly reset my goal to 15. The establishments I selected all had products for the new customer base of medical marijuana hopefuls. My anticipation is that many Baby Boomers will be again visiting these shops with a lot of questions, and as a genuine member of the youth of the ‘60s, I decided to do some reconnaissance for everyone who has not recently been in one. I discovered that all the smoke shops that carried supplies for medical marijuana also carried other merchandise: retro clothing, cigarettes, cigars, pornography, music, incense, trendy gifts and types of faux marijuana, called K2 and Spice. The faux marijuana was reportedly laced with such poisons as acetone and was just banned by the DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services the day before Christmas. The stores that sold it have restocked their shelves with new, “safer” alternatives, at $30 a gram. I’ve never tried any of this stuff. Like the song says, “Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing, baby.” I am a recent convert to vaporizers as a healthier way to enjoy medical marijuana and I asked every merchandiser what they had and knew about vaporizers. I also bought Christmas gifts for myself and others during my investigative journeys. All of the merchandisers were friendly, helpful and cool. I went to many of the edgier, “hardcore” stores, like M&M in Chandler and Graffiti and Blaze, both in Tempe. They featured loud rap music, pornography, crack pipes and staff with facial piercings. Sky High in Tempe also rounds out their offerings with knives, brass knuckles and handcuffs. I’m not sure how comfortable some of my Boomer contemporaries might be in these settings. My favorite name for a smoke shop is “Herb N Legend” on McDowell Road in Phoenix. They have many great products and a very helpful staff. After that visit, I was told of their new, next-generation store on Greenway Road and that I “would have to see it to believe it;” so I’m looking forward to visiting that location soon. My favorite chain store is Trails, previously known as “Happy Trails” (at least until the Roy Rogers estate claimed they had the rights to those lyrics). Trails stores are always clean, well organized and have quality clothing. There are 10 stores across the Valley and each one is different. My favorite store for hookahs was A&A Smoke Shop
in Tempe. They have an impressive selection of these on display, right in the middle of their shop. These beautiful hookahs can actually be touched and handled, unlike at the other stores that lock them away in glass cases. My favorite glass works were on display at Its All Goodz, which has locations in Tempe and north Phoenix. There is a studio in the back of the store where artists create such works as glass motorcycles and dragons that are also smoking pipes. My favorite overall place was Hippie Gypsy on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. It reminded me most of the head shops of my youth. They have an exceptional selection of vaporizers, of which I bought two (a Vapor Genie and an Iolite)—both at the lowest price I found at any store. I got a demonstration of the Iolite, minus the “plant material” (thanks, Brian). I also enjoyed perusing all the interesting and unique items they have for sale. It seems like there is 1,600 square feet of merchandise in this 800-square-foot store. I finished my marathon shopping tour on Christmas Eve. I tried both my new vaporizer pipes before snuggling in bed, while visions of sugar plums danced in my head.
Smoke Shop
Dos and Don’ts Do: Research Online – Most Valley smoke shops have websites
that offer helpful information like addresses/directions, phone numbers, hours of operation and available merchandise.
Ask Questions – Smoke shop employees are usually knowledgeable about the products they sell and will help you compare the pros and cons of similar products.
Shop Around – Prices can vary wildly from one smoke shop
to the next, and not one smoke shop has the lowest prices on everything. If you have the time, visit at least two or three to comparison shop.
Don’t: Talk Openly About Marijuana – Shopping at a smoke
shop in the 21st century can be a “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” affair, and if you’re too explicit about how you plan to use your purchases, you may actually be asked to leave. Avoid direct references to marijuana and terms like “bong.” Instead, use euphemisms like “tobacco,” “plant material,” “herbs” and “water pipe.”
Put Your Mouth on Anything – When shopping for a pipe
or vaporizer, your first instinct might be to try before you buy, but for obvious health reasons, smoke shops frown on you actually putting your lips on the merchandise. For these same reasons, most shops are unwilling to accept returns on pipes, even if they appear unused, so be aware that most sales are final and shop accordingly. FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF 17
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A STEP AHEAD
BY JASON MEDAR
Getting an MMJ recommendation now can spare you potential headaches later
M
any people in Arizona have obviously become very excited to hear about the passage of Proposition 203, which legalizes medical marijuana in the state. Some patients have voiced their concerns about the program itself, while others are simply skeptical about it actually being legal. Lots of people that qualify for medical marijuana are simply unsure as to when they can obtain their recommendation from a doctor to become legal. The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act was proclaimed by Gov. Jan Brewer and went into effect on December 15, 2010. This means the Arizona Department of Health Services has until April 16 to finish its rulemaking process and to begin to process and issue patient ID cards. A patient ID card allows you to enter dispensaries and to have your patient status verified by law enforcement 24/7, should you have such an encounter. What many people don’t realize, however, is that you can actually obtain a medical marijuana recommendation from a doctor in Arizona right now. In fact, there appears to be a handful of doctors who are currently writing recommenda-
tions for qualified patients throughout the state. Patients are encouraged to obtain a medical marijuana recommendation prior to the completion of the rulemaking process by ADHS. Patients that are in serious need should be protected now, instead of waiting for legal problems to occur. Prop 203 has what’s called an “affirmative defense” clause that allows patients to avoid being arrested and prosecuted, even before the ADHS begins to issue the ID cards. ARS 36-2812 A(1) makes a signed physician recommendation the patient’s “affirmative defense” in the event of any legal encounter before the ADHS promulgates the rules and application procedures for qualifying patients and dispensaries. A written recommendation provides a safe harbor to qualified patients for the possession of “a quantity of marijuana that was not more than reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of marijuana.” The “affirmative defense” clause is a temporary law that is automatically repealed when ADHS begins issuing ID cards to qualified patients in April. (See Sec. 5. Conditional repeal; notice) continued on page 30
»
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19
Hey man, in the future….. Return with me again to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of the mid-1970s. Maybe you were in high school or college, or still living in your parents’ basement. What if you knew about some of today’s technologies back then that are now used to consume cannabis legally? If you had to try to use 1970s terms to describe to people back then how people in today’s world smoke their herb and use it as legitimate medicine, maybe it would go something like this… Hey man, in the future, smoking a joint will be, like, healthier for you because you won’t really be smoking it. And you won’t need papers or anything to roll up your weed and fire it. That’s cuz they’re gonna make these things you can buy that look like cigarettes or joints, and By you puff on them like a joint, and you exhale like you’re Headley smoking it, but it’s not smoke! That’s crazy! And it’s metal Granger and has a battery and you can recharge it by plugging it into the wall, and you can take it anywhere and puff on it anytime. It’s pretty heavy! And man, it will look like an ‘electronic cigarette’ but with weed instead of tobacco. And big companies will get into the biz of making, like, liquid weed or hash to use in this “electronic cigarette” for medicine if a doctor gives you the OK. And it’s not smoke because there’s no fire. It’s like fumes or vapors or something that you can inhale and it won’t hurt your throat or lungs. It’s far out man – you can ‘roll your own’ joint that doesn’t burn!
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
So let’s jump back to the present to introduce you to modern methods and technologies used to self-medicate. The subject for this article is electronic cigarettes, or “e-cigs,” their potential use for consuming medical marijuana and the controversy that surrounds this technology. We’ve previously discussed the vaporizer in this column, and now that technology has been minimized into a handheld device. If you’ve ever seen an e-cig and wondered if you could smoke herb instead of nicotine using one, the answer is now “yes.” Previously it wasn’t possible to consume THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant) using an e-cig, but some enterprising individuals have made it possible to “roll your own” e-cig with ingredients of your choice. That’s because some companies are manufacturing e-cigs with refillable cartridges, calling them personal vaporizers.
The personal vaporizer is one of the most popular products on the market today. Smoking bans have increased the sales of personal vaporizers and e-cigarettes. The personal vaporizer and products like it have attracted smokers searching for the unique and private experience. Some doctors claim that this method is a safe option for inhalation of medicinal psychoactives. In a politically correct environment, products that have refillable cartridges which can be used for psychoactive substances allow for the option of using such a vaporizing device that will eliminate the smoke and smell. E-cigs and personal vaporizers are a new way to smoke herb that could allow you to smoke anywhere without unwanted attention. And that’s exactly the problem. The U.S. government is interested in e-cigs. In June 2010, the Food and Drug Administration announced they were considering whether to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, which could be used to vaporize at the office or even on a plane. A smoker may be able to dose in public without smell, shake, smoke or lighter, and without getting noticed. At that time, the FDA ruled that e-cigarettes designed to administer nicotine are drug-delivery devices, and are “illegal” because they haven’t been approved by the agency for distribution. There was a question whether the new federal statute giving the FDA jurisdiction over ordinary tobacco cigarettes limits the FDA’s power to regulate nicotine e-cigarettes. Then, in December 2010, A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the FDA can only treat e-cigarettes as tobacco products and not as drugs. The ruling means the agency can’t block import of the battery-powered devices that allow users to inhale nicotine vapor without actually lighting tobacco. The court ruled that “the liquid nicotine in each e-cigarette is derived from natural tobacco plants.” The impact of the decision will be to lift import restrictions and provide a regulatory framework for e-cig manufacturers. An e-cig is typically made up of two or three pieces. The basic components are a cartridge, an atomizer and a battery. The cartridge contains the liquid nicotine (or THC). One end attaches to the atomizer, the other end goes to your lips. The atomizer is the heated element that turns the liquid into vapor. The battery is the longer portion of the e-cig. Some are manual and some are automatic, the difference being whether or not you need a button to begin ignition (manual), or simply the inhaling (automatic). Some newer models now contain cartomizers, or carts that are used for the liquid and the atomizer, all in one piece. Most e-cig accessories include a battery unit, a wall charger, a USB charger (yes, you can recharge it with your computer), an atomizer and cartomizers/
cartridges. Certain manufacturers have made cartridges that are refillable and last a couple of weeks, depending on usage. Customers may have to buy refill cartomizers/cartridges for any of the products, which offer approximately 100-150 “vapes.” Some customer-refillable e-cigs can be purchased at dispensaries for around $100. At least one manufacturer planned to include cartridges containing THC for purchase for medicinal purposes, but that plan has drawn the wrong kind of heat. Products with THC can only be marketed as containing “THC,” “cannabinoids” or “strains” because the FDA prohibits any patented substance or device as being sold as “treating a disease” or “used to treat” a disease without FDA approval. So e-cig manufacturers planning to provide refillable cartridges with THC have to tread lightly over territory that the government is highly interested in. However, there are companies that will go the way of getting FDA approval for their products to treat pains, medical conditions and diseases. This would seem to eliminate the issues around e-cigs or personal vaporizers with THC cartridges. One such company, Cannabis Science, is entering the pharmaceutical cannabis industry and is able to sell cannabis e-cigarettes under state medical marijuana laws. That’s because Cannabis Science uses whole plant extracts that are purportedly better for the user medicinally. Other companies are getting into the act as well, with GW Pharmaceuticals and German pharmaceutical firm Bayer Healthcare marketing their Sativex product in the UK. Despite the U.S. Court of Appeals ruling, there are still concerns that the U.S. Government/FDA will attempt to act to put an end to the use of e-cigs. In this case, “the future” is still very much up in the air. “I used to smoke marijuana. But I’ll tell you something: I would only smoke it in the late evening. Oh, occasionally the early evening, but usually the late evening, or the mid-evening. Just the early evening, mid-evening and late evening. Occasionally, early afternoon, early mid-afternoon, or perhaps the late-mid-afternoon. Oh, sometimes the early-mid-late-early morning…. but never at dusk.” -Steve Martin, 1978 So how you would describe rolling your own “electronic joint” to yourself back in the 70’s? I think your explanation would go something like this: “Hey man, in the future…” FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
21
Q & A LEGAL EXPERT
BY RYAN HURLEY (ROSE LAW GROUP)
Examining the Scope of ADHS Authority
Q:
In the first draft of the rules issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services, it appears that they don’t have the legal right to regulate certain items. Moreover, many “rules” set forth seem unconstitutional and unjust. From a legal perspective, does ADHS have the authority to regulate patient-doctor relationships and require a full inspection of a dispensary before approving the application?
A:
These are excellent questions, and unfortunately they are not easy to answer. Perhaps the best way to approach this is to share a story from my first day of law school. On that day, a very noble and stately professor told the class that there is exactly one right answer for every question you are asked in law school – “It depends.” Frustrating, I know and certainly not terribly helpful come exam time. Nonetheless, in the law, especially in a new area like medical marijuana, there are very few black and white answers, and for most questions, the current ones included, the answer is: it depends. In this particular case, it depends on whether ADHS
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
is acting under authority granted or implied by the language in the initiative. In addition, it depends on the nature of the particular rule in question and whether it “furthers the purpose” of the initiative (Arizona’s Voter Protection Act only allows ADHS to enact measures that “further the purpose” of Proposition 203 as enacted). So with these standards in mind, let’s take a look at your two particular concerns: The Physician-Patient Relationship This is probably the most controversial provision that ADHS has suggested. ADHS’s authority to regulate here can be implied by the failure of the initiative to define the term “physicianpatient relationship.” The initiative says a patient must have a “written recommendation” from a physician to apply for an MMJ card; in turn a physician can only give a “written certification” when “in the course of a physician-patient relationship” [A.R.S. § 36-2801(18)(b)]. Unfortunately the language of the initiative stops there and ADHS is left to determine what constitutes “in the course of a physician-patient relationship.” At first blush, the ADHS rules seem to unfairly limit a patient’s ability to obtain a legitimate MMJ card by requiring a pre-existing (i.e. greater than one year) relationship with a physician and requiring at least four visits [R9-17-202(F)(5)(e)(i)]. This
would likely have the effect of disqualifying many legitimate patients and thus may not “further the purpose” of the initiative. However, that section also has a fallback provision that allows a physician to assume “primary responsibility” for care of the patient’s particular condition [R9-17-202(F)(5)(e)(i)(ii)]. It is this fallback that allows a patient to get a recommendation with less than a year relationship and fewer than four visits, and it is this section that probably makes the regulation within ADHS’s authority. Finally, let’s remember that an additional “purpose” of the initiative is to prevent abuse by non-qualifying patients. ADHS’s draft rule arguably furthers this purpose. Full Inspection of a Dispensary This one is a little clearer. The Initiative clearly gives ADHS broad authority to regulate dispensary applications and to ensure dispensary security measures that will avoid the unlawful diversion of MMJ. As such, a full inspection of a facility prior to awarding a dispensary license is well within ADHS’s authority. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best public policy. Likely a better policy would be to require ADHS inspections before beginning dispensary continued on page 30
»
Submit questions to the expert at thegreenleafaz.com/experts
RECIPES
Uncle Duck’s Ganja Kitchen I have loved ganja cooking for many years. I believe the first time I appreciated ganja food was at a Grateful Dead concert in Arizona in 1992. It was a gorgeous day and I was sitting next to my friend Jeb. We were sharing all the cool stuff we’d scored in the parking lot… In the middle of our little sesh, this guy walks up to the window and says “Kind Humboldt County ganja Rice Krispie treats!” I bought two for five bucks and had no idea what delightful little treats they were – delicious and stony. Every time I burped that afternoon, it tasted like skunk buds. Ganja has a rich and distinct, yet comfortable, flavor. It can be very strong, yet rarely overpowering. It is an up-andcoming herb in the culinary world and I personally can’t wait to taste all the wonderful ganja food coming our way.
Sinaloan Ganja Guacamole 1/3 cup olive oil 2 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup finely ground ganja 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 garlic clove, minced 4 ripe avocados 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped (optional, removing the seeds from the pepper will make it less spicy) Heat olive oil in a saucepan on low heat, add ganja, and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chili powder and simmer for 5-8 more minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour ganja/oil mixture in a mixing bowl. Add salt and avocados and mash/mix with a potato masher until you have an even, almost creamy, consistency. Add onion, garlic and jalapeno (if desired) and mix well. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn’t brown and refrigerate for one hour before serving.
Submit recipes to recipes@thegreenleafaz.com
Creamy Peanut Butter Cookies 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup butter or margarine 18-28 grams finely ground ganja 3 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 egg 1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 package peanut butter chips Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies. Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat, add ganja and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently. Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, ganja butter, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add egg. Beat just until blended. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended. Add peanut butter chips, stirring in by hand. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly in crisscross pattern with tines of fork. Bake one baking sheet at a time for 7-8 minutes or until set and just beginning to brown. Do not over-bake. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely.
Ganja Krispie Treats 1/2 ounce ganja 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 package (10 oz.) regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows 5 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal Chocolate or peanut butter chips to taste (optional) Clean ganja of all seeds and stems, then grind into a very fine cut. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add ganja and simmer on low for 15 minutes, stirring often. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the crisp rice cereal, coating well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture into a cake pan or casserole (¾- to 1-inch thickness is optimum). I like to sprinkle chocolate or peanut butter chips on before it cools. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Make 15-20 treats.
REVIEWS The Emperor Wears No Clothes The Great Scandal of Marijuana Prohibition
F
or anyone who has never read The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer, and for all of you who are in the dark about the true history of marijuana prohibition, please read on. Herer, who passed away last year, wrote this book after 12 years of research. He wanted us to know that the government knew the truth about cannabis when prohibition began, and they still know to this day. To fight the war against prohibition, understanding its cause is key. The book begins in an innocuous way, listing the myriad products that have been derived from the cannabis plant for the past 3,000 years or so. Our first American flags, the wagons that pulled the pioneers west, ships’ sails, our Bibles, our Levis and even the first draft of the Declaration of Independence were all made from hemp. Herer’s book explores – in vivid and expansive detail – the uses of hemp and the vast environmental benefits that can be gained from its use in our everyday lives. We could replace many things we manufacture from petro-chemicals and make them from a renewable, sustainable resource that would end deforestation immediately. Hemp makes about four times the pulp needed to make paper products as trees do. Its growth cycle is short and it will grow in nearly any soil or climate. We could replace plastics and plastic derivatives, building materials for homes, oils used for heating, painting and lighting and fossil fuel for our vehicles, just to name a few, by using hemp instead of oils and chemicals. Had things gone differently 74 years ago, we would be living in a different environment. Unfortunately, we now have (in
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
Herer’s words) “a world being destroyed by a malicious conspiracy to suppress not a ‘killer weed’ but the world’s premier renewable natural resource, for the benefit of a handful of wealthy and powerful individuals and corporations.” According to Herer, in the 1930s, a small cadre of rich and powerful people conspired to criminalize hemp. DuPont Chemical, with Rockefeller’s oil, had begun patenting new man-made fibers and plastics in the late ‘30s. The chief banker for both of these giants was Andrew Mellon, of the Mellon Bank of Pittsburgh. Mellon was also the Secretary of the Treasury. He appointed his nephew, Harry Anslinger, to be the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (a precursor to the DEA). Mellon’s chief counsel wrote the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which was not a law against marijuana but rather a prohibitive tax meant to curtail the use of hemp. These barons knew that if they did not do something, hemp would be the primary resource and they could lose billions. Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst stood to lose as well, since hemp would replace his paper, so he used his newspapers to scare and shame folks into not using marijuana. He linked marijuana smoking to many of society’s ills, including rape and violence, a stigma we are battling to this day. The Marijuana Tax Act taxed hemp at a rate of $1 an ounce (hemp cost $1 an ounce) and about $100 an ounce if you were not registered with the federal government. No one could afford the tax, so hemp disappeared. The Marijuana Tax Act was introduced to the House Ways and Means Committee. Through this committee, the bill would go directly to the house floor without debate, and was rubber-stamped by chairman Robert Doughton, a key DuPont ally. The American Medical Association spoke out against the act later, but Anslinger had any doctors who continued to speak up arrested. Anslinger headed the FBN for 32 years, until the
early ‘60s. It was not until this time that we began to freely speak about the benefits of marijuana. Since then, we now fight against the pharmaceutical companies that wish to keep the secret potential of marijuana to themselves. It is up to us to continue Herer’s fight. It is up to us to tell our friends and family what happened to marijuana and why prohibition is, at its core, unjust. It is up to us to show that The Emperor Wears No Clothes. • By Kathleen Tranchese
Super High Me Directed by Michael Blieden Starring Doug Benson Available on DVD
I
n true stoner fashion, the idea for Super High Me was originally hatched as a joke. After watching Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock’s 2005 documentary on McDonald’s, stand-up comedian (and 2006 High Times Stoner of the Year award winner) Doug Benson incorporated a joke into his act about making a similar movie about marijuana. With help from Benson’s filmmaker friend, director Michael Blieden, the joke quickly morphed into reality.
Like Super Size Me, which documented Spurlock’s attempt to eat nothing but McDonald’s food for 30 days, Super High Me follows Benson as he first abstains from marijuana and alcohol for 30 days, then smokes weed nonstop for the following 30 days. During both periods, Benson undergoes a battery of tests to gauge his intelligence, memory, lung capacity, weight, sperm count and even his psychic ability, with surprising results. The documentary was filmed during an explosion in California’s medical marijuana industry, noting that the number of dispensaries in Los Angeles grew from 11 in August 2005 to 325 in March 2007. Interspersed throughout the film are segments that provide a brief overview of the history of marijuana prohibition in the United States and the ongoing battle in California (which became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996) between dispensary operators and local and federal law enforcement. It’s no surprise given Benson’s career choice that the film is mostly played for laughs, with ample (and perhaps a bit too much) screen time given to Benson’s stand-up routine. However, there are some surprisingly dramatic moments as well, including the raid of a medical marijuana dispensary by a “rogue cop” in LA and the subsequent fallout for the owner and patrons/patients. There are cameos by numerous well-known comedians, including Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Louis CK, Brian Posehn and a pre-Hangover Zach Galifianakis. Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro also shows up in the role of “that guy at the party who insists on strumming an acoustic guitar all night.” Ultimately though, it’s up to Benson to carry the film, and the doughy, puffyeyed comic does an admirable job. The film adds a much-needed dose of levity to the often contentious debate over marijuana prohibition. The obvious target audience is recreational marijuana users, but the film is funny and informative enough to appeal to stoners and teetotalers alike. • By Mike R. Meyer
FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
25
COOL
Products Debowler The Debowler is one of those products that seem so obviously beneficial that you wonder why nobody invented it sooner. It’s essentially an ashtray with a spike protruding from the center, which allows you to clean the ash and/or resin from your pipe in between smoking sessions. Available at www.debowler.com
Kasher The Kasher is a convenient, multi-purpose tool that slides over a standard Bic lighter. It can be used to turn, flip or empty the contents of a pipe, slice open and empty a cigar and remove debris from bongs and pipes. It’s like a toker’s Swiss Army knife. Available at www. mykasher.com.
Pipe Mug Say you’re enjoying a delicious cup of coffee when the urge suddenly strikes to spark a bowl. What to do? Constantly setting down your coffee cup to take a hit and then setting down your pipe for a sip of coffee is way too tedious. Undergoing experimental surgery to attach a third arm is expensive and risky. Enter the Pipe Mug – a pipe and a mug in one. Each Pipe Mug is a unique, handmade piece of “functional art.” Available at www.pipemug.com
V Syndicate grinder The V Syndicate grinder takes the convenience of a standard grinder and reduces it to the size of a credit card. It’s a discreet, stainless steel traveling grinder that easily fits in a wallet or small purse. The grinder works on the same principle as a cheese grater – you hold the grinder over a tray and simply scrape your bud across the holes to grind it. V Syndicate makes fine grinders for vaporizing and coarser grinders for smoking out of a bong or pipe or rolling joints or blunts. It also doubles as a credit card-like tool for dividing and scooping your weed on the tray. Standard designs include the classic V design, a pot leaf design and even a yin yang design with both coarse and fine grinding options. V Syndicate will even design custom grinders with your favorite logo or image. Available at www.thevsyndicate.com
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
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27
ROUND 2
BY MIKE R. MEYER
Public Comment Period for Second Draft of ADHS Rules Now Underway
O
n Jan. 31, the Arizona Department of Health Services posted its second draft of medical marijuana rules. The first draft was published on Dec. 17, 2010, and generated more than 1,500 comments during a three-week public comment period. The second draft was not available at press time, but should be available online at the ADHS website, www.azdhs.gov. A series of public meetings has been scheduled to discuss the second draft (check our February Events Calendar for more information) and online comments are also being solicited through Feb. 18. In a Jan. 7 blog post, ADHS director Will Humble listed the issues in the first draft that generated the most comments. Here is Humble’s list: • The definition/requirements for patient-physician relationship; • Adding additional medical conditions including mental illness, PTSD, fibromyalgia, depression, etc.; • The fee structure (especially for patients with limited income); • The 25 mile limit for patient/caregiver cultivation (which is actually in the Initiative, not the rules); • The requirement that dispensaries cultivate 70% of their own product;
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THE GREEN LEAF | FEBRUARY 2011
• The processes for approving dispensary registration certificate; • The requirement that dispensaries have a medical director; • The qualifications for medical directors (e.g. allow other medical professionals including a pharmacist, naturopathic physician, homeopathic physician, family nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or registered nurse to be the medical director); • The 2 year residency requirement for dispensary applicants; and • The requirement that cultivation facilities be licensed in association with a dispensary (which is actually in the Initiative). The current public comment period is Arizonans’ last chance to make their voices heard on this controversial issue. ADHS plans to release the third and final draft rules on March 28.
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D��n Th� r�d���l��� l�� �n��t�d �n ���� DOWN th�t ��tl��� ��nn�b�� f�r �ll 1. A hard-line to t�d�� preventing drug use, often p�rp���� �ndapproach ��nt�n��� criticized as short-sighted thr���h pr�p���nd� �nd �2.f�r���n l���t��n f����� f�rcannabis �t� European city famous for its coffee shops ��nn�b�� ��ff�� �h�p� �nd th� and the annual Cannabis Cup �nn��l ��nn�b�� ��p Th� f�r�t ���ntr� 3. The first countryt�tod��r���n�l�z� decriminalize all�ll drugs dr��� 4. The first statet�tod��r���n�l�z� decriminalize marijuana possession Th� f�r�t �t�t� in 1973 ��r�j��n� p��������n �n ���� �5.��n�r�l t�r� f�r th� �r��p �h� A general term for the group who first introduced f�r�t �ntr�d���d ��nnb�� �nd �t� ���� and its usesth� to Egypt, Africa, t�cannabis �r����, ��r�p�, ��ddl� ���t,Himalayas, and India ���pt, �fr���, H���l����, �nd �nd�� Th� �nd��tr� h��p f�r that re8. After hempth�t wasr�pl���d criminalized, the crop �l�th it in much cloth production �placed ��rd ���n�n� "d�v�l�� ���d" th�t �r���n�t�d � r����l �l�r weed” that originated as 10. A word�� meaning “devil’s �n� ��n �h� d�d���t�d h�� l�f� a racial slur t���rd� �nd�n� ��r�j��n� 11. Author who his life to ending marijuana pr�h�b�t��n, ���dedicated th� H��p�r�r "��d �����AKA th� the ��rth ���ld ������ prohibition, Hemperor h�rb�, �h��h th� pr�d�nt ��n 12. “God the Earth yield _______ herbs, which �h��ld n�tmakes n��l��t." ��r��h �8:4 the prudent man should not neglect” ���h �f th� ���� ��rr�nt ��nn�b��–Sirach 38:4 pr�d��t��n fr��U.S. ��nd���n�, 14. Much of����� the current cannabis production H��b�lt, �nd Tr�n�t� ���nt���, comes from Mendocino, Humboldt, �th�r���� �n��n �� th� ������� and Trinity counties, otherwise known as the _______ Triangle Tr��n�l� FEBRUARY 2011 | THE GREEN LEAF
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Regulations continued from page 4
hearings” agenda. As of press time, Pima County, Phoenix, Tucson, Marana and Queen Creek have adopted medical CVS and Walgreens. Marana limits dispensaries in its city to two. marijuana zoning regulations. A third dispensary can be added when the population grows by 50,000 people. Cotton fields between Phoenix and Tucson will A Step Ahead continued from page 19 not be replaced with rows of the tall, distinctively green cannabis plants waving in the wind. Cultivation, too, is restricted by There is clearly an immediate benefit of having a signed Proposition 203 rules and by local zoning regulations. physician’s recommendation now, before ADHS promulPoirier says that Pima County will scrutinize cultivation gates its rules, applications, and state-issued ID cards. Even if applications. a patient has a signed recommendation, they should still be “My guess is that this means grown indoors hydroponically discreet, even secretive, about their medical marijuana use/ or in a greenhouse,” he says. “We’re imposing the same stancultivation. It is always better to have a physician’s recomdards on cultivators as we are imposing on dispensaries. [Pima mendation and not need it, than to need the physician’s County] wants them separated by 2,000 feet and more than recommendation and not have it. 1,000 from non-compatible uses. Use permits are required, and based on site circumstances, we’ll impose conditions or deny Q & A continued from page 22 the permits.” Personal medical marijuana cultivation is going to be an isoperations rather than having to do so before being awarded sue throughout the state. The voter-enacted law allows patients a license. Nonetheless, nothing in the law requires ADHS to living more than 25 miles from a dispensary to grow a limited implement what you and I may consider good policy! number of plants at their homes. One parting note: at the end of the day, ADHS has broad With the state expecting its regulations to be in place discretion and authority to regulate in this arena. If they overby March, cities don’t want to be caught unprepared. Local step their legal bounds—and insist on doing so after public marijuana regulation is something new in Arizona, but 15 other debate on the rules closes—the only way to overturn the rules states and the District of Columbia have been through the is to head to court. I don’t need to tell you that this is never process. Zoning hearings are posted on city and county websites an ideal solution and will likely serve nothing more than to under either “public meetings” or the “planning commission delay implementation and keep medicine out of the hands of sick patients. Let’s do our best to work with ADHS during this comment period to establish workable rules that balance the interests appropriately instead of resorting to litigation.
ANSWERS from last issue. (p24) �
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