Munkey Biz Issue 13

MUNKEY BIZ

ISSUE #13

Blunt

Walk With Rafael

Spark a blunt and take a stroll with Happy Munkey’s Rafael as he hits Coney Island!

#CurvyCannabis

Tune in for the recap of #CurvyCannabis, a revolutionary cannabis positive virtual summit centering on body positivity!

Latinxs En Cannabis

Happy Munkey has got you covered with Cannabis inspired recipes to spice up the Holidaze! Check out fun & festive recipes from Chef Miggs, Chef Carosi, and more!

Cooking Up for the Holidays 52

NEW JERSEY GOES REC

Cannabis won big this election! Tune in to hear from the advocates on the frontline of New Jersey’s push for legalization!

Check in with us to highlight some extraordinary Latinx individuals moving & shaking in the cannabis industry!

Michigan Madness

Last month the team went to Michigan with big plans in mind! Check out our photo spread from our most recent adventure!

December Cannascopes

Align your chakras with this month’s Cannascopes curated by Astro G Tarot!

Kicks 4 Da Kulture

This holidaze Jose Rozay takes us on a journey through his favorite 420 inspired Christmas Kicks!

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

High

& Happy December Happy Munkey Fam!

Welcome to the 1 year anniversary issue of Munkey Biz! One year ago we embarked on an editorial journey that began with a simple 10page Newsletter. Today you are reading (420 of you are even holding a physical copy of) the 13th issue of Munkey Biz! Thank you for supporting the mag and always Choosing Happy. It means the world to myself and the entire Happy Munkey Team!

Before we get into this month’s spectacular issue, I want to say congrats to President Elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for securing the Presidency. But most importantly congrats to Cannabis for 5 monumental victories in states like South Dakota, Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, and our neighboring New Jersey! No question, the times are quickly changing!

Until next month, Happy Holidaze, wear a mask, stay elevated, and keep choosing Happy!

Much Love, David

THE HAPPY MUNKEY PODCAST

Check out the latest episodes of the Happy Munkey Podcast every Monday at 4:20 PM! This month on the Boulevard with Ramon and Vlad they cook it up with Master Chef and “Donut King” Scottish Francis, CannaWellness Pioneer

PM EST

Laura Lagano, Canna Boss Lady Elise McRoberts, and street art legends SJK 171 & Henry 161! So spark a joint and enjoy, you never know who you will see on the next Happy Munkey Podcast!

CANNABINOID OF THE MONTH

What is CBN?

CBN is a mildly intoxicating compound that is best known as the cannabinoid created when THC ages.

Potential Medical Value

Antibacterial

Appetite Stimulation

Anti-Inflammatory Sleep Aid

While CBN isn’t particularly plentiful in fresh or cured cannabis, it can often be found in older cannabis, particularly cannabis that has been exposed to a lot of oxygen. CBN is actually created from THC when it is oxidized (exposed to oxygen over time).

Rafael Blunt Walk

Now This month you might be asking yourself, “why would Ralph go to Coney Island in November?” Well before I tell you about my trip let me take you down memory lane. Back in high school, while most friends were playing basketball in third period, I would play hookie just to be on the early tip with my dealer cuz he had a severe case of DDT (Drug Dealer timing). I was a pro at disappearing after attendance, that was easy. the hard part was finding things to do to pass the time before I was suppose to be home. The goal was to be out of sight from truancy, cause if they caught me, I’d be riding around all day in a paddy wagon, with more than a stern talking to waiting for me when I got home. One way to avoid all that was to ride the MTA from the last stop to the last stop and the real kicker was NYC schools would give us metrocards to travel to and from school with. So It was like I got myself a city sponsored golden ticket out of school. My fool proof plan was, if I was stopped, I could say I was headed to school or I just got let out early. Every day I’d choose a different train line, and I explored the entire subway system either listening to music or reading comic books. Most kids

WANDER WANDER

would ride The train line that would take them home but for me, any train that could take me to a New York City beach was always a great place to spend time away from my regularly scheduled programing. and one beach in particular stood above them all, Coney Island.

WANDER WANDER

Imagine that, a chunky 13-14 year old kid in Nike ACG boots and full on North Face jacket trekking it through the sand in 30 degree weather. I know It sounds crazy but this is how I fell in love with the beach.

Now 13 years later, I find myself with a lot of spare time and lucky enough to have some weed and backwoods packed away, so I caught the Next D Train straight to Coney with some loud ready to be smoked

upon arrival. It was an early afternoon ride so it was fairly quick with views of Intricate Graffitied walls and beautiful suburban esque Brooklyn neighborhoods. By the time the train was pulling into the last stop, the train car was empty, so I rolled up two backwoods and hit Stillwell Avenue. Right when I exited the station I was hit with the smell of salty fried foods and hotdogs. Across the street is the original location of Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, which has been around since 1916, pumping out some of the best Hotdogs in the world and let’s not sleep on their crinkle cut fries cause they are to die for.

With Nathan’s on the mind, I now had a final destination after I built up an appetite. I lit one of the blunts and made My way past Nathan’s and I saw this graffiti museum were they have these giant walls with murals from various artist that lead right up to the boardwalk. Once I’m on the boardwalk, I see people walking around taking in the day and a couple of groups having photoshoots while the beach is empty. The neighborhood is mostly Russian, black, and Latino, so every once in a while I’d see a cute old Russian couple sharing cookies or an impromptu salsa jam session with a Puerto Rican flag flying high.

I walk to the water to get some sun on my face cause it was actually a pretty warm day, so I was able to take off my jacket and try for a mid winter tan. I walked along the water, smoking away at my blunt, just watching seagulls sleeping In The sand. I end up walking under a pier and I relax in the shade looking into the infinity of the ocean. I finished the first blunt listening to the soothing sounds of the lapping waves. With out a second thought, fire was cherrying the second blunt, as I walked toward the parachute jump spire. Which was a ride built for the 1939s NY Worlds Fair in queens, and it’s now a landmark fitted with lights for special occasions. Right near that is the entrance to the pier, where I could see fishing rods lined against the railing for days. The pier seems to be the local hangout spot as well, cause ever granny’s book club and card game was going on out there. They really didn’t take a liking to me smoking all to much, so I left before I had issues with some bridge players.

By this point, the only thing I wanted to see was the pride and joy of Luna Park, the Coney Island Cyclone. It is the oldest running wooden roller coaster in the city as it was built in 1927, and is another landmark from the days of Coney being the largest amusement area in the United States from the 1880s to the 1940s. Luna park was closed but I got a glimpse of the coaster from outside the park. By now the blunt was pretty much done and my stomach was reminding me of those freshly made crinkle fries from Nathan’s, so I hustled my way back over to Stillwell ave. and I hopped in line. The service was so fast and the food looked so good I barely had time to put it down for a picture. There’s something about their mustard and relish that just makes all the difference and the cut of the fries were perfect to soak up condiments. It was the cherry on top, as I had fries left over for the ride back home. After a meal like that my eye lids were definitely heavy, One moment I was in coney then lower east side then upper west side, all within blinks of an eye. The whole way back I was dreaming of running away from truancy, if only they could catch me on my next blunt walk. -

Rafael Hernandez

Munkey Movies

What’s Up Munkey Fam, it’s James representing Baltimore. Hope everyone is doing well, staying high and keeping safe. Now that the Presidential election is over for this movie review I’ll be watching a film that I’ve never seen. I know some of our OG readers will hate me for saying that because these guys are the TRUE OG’s of the stoner comedy subgenre. These two men have been a part of both cannabis and pop culture since the 1970s. Of course, I’m talking about the duo of Cheech and Chong. My first unknown introduction to them was hearing their names in rap songs as a kid. Over time I started seeing them in TV shows and movies making cameos here and there. One, in particular, was Chong on That 70’s Show. But I decided to watch their debut feature film from 1978. This film is older than me and maybe a good portion of the reading audience but for those who were teenagers/young adults when this came out, I hope this gives you some good flashbacks to a different time in history by reviewing this stoner cult classic.

The duo first met in Vancouver Canada in the 1960s. Chong was from Canada while Cheech Marin is originally from Southern

California. Throughout the 1970s and 80’s they gained fans for portraying the hippie movement at the time and focused on their love for cannabis. In 1978 their premier feature film was released, directed by Jude Adler who had directed The Rocky Horror Picture Show a few years early. Though it should be noted that Tommy Chong is an uncredited director for this film as well.

The film begins with Pedro played by Cheech being awakened by younger siblings watching cartoons. In the next scene, Man played by Chong is being yelled at by his dad for not having a job while he’s making a smoothie, not paying attention at all. He leaves and hitches a ride with Man dressed as a woman. While driving Pedro offers him a joint but it’s a toothpick. Man then pulls out a comically large joint which is made of Maui Mowie and literal dog shit because his dog ate his stash. The two hotbox Pedro’s car and they somehow park in the median. Pedro is freaking out so Chong gives him something to calm him down which turns out to be several tabs of acid. The two, unfortunately, get arrested and are taken to court. By some miracle, Chong asks for / takes a glass of water from the judge and finds out the judge is drinking vodka instead. They are freed and Chong stays with Pedro and Pedro wants Chong to join his band. When they wake up they go to Pedro’s cousin Strawberry’s house to get some weed. While Cheech and Strawberry go to get weed Chong accidentally swallows a roach and spills Ajax powder. One of Strawberry’s clients snorts the Ajax thinking it’s cocaine. Unknown by the group, Strawberry’s house is being watched by a group of narcs being led by sergeant Stedenko. Cheech tries to warn Chong of

the raid but by some miracle, both of them don’t get taken away. While Pedro and Chong are hanging at Pedro’s family’s house they are raided by immigration because his cousin called them on himself to go to Tijuana for a wedding for free. To get back into the US Pedro does a favor for his uncle which entails the two driving a van into the United States. Unbeknownst to them, the van is made entirely from marijuana and they are being tailed by the same group of cops from earlier in the film. While they are crossing the border, Chong throws a roach into a car full of nuns. Our two stoners go free while the nuns get searched by the cops.

While the cops are in pursuit the guys pick up two female hitchhikers that are going to The Roxy in LA for a battle of the bands. Before they go there, they ask the two if they know where they can buy some weed. The two girls lead them to the police station where they meet up with Gloria, an employee that sells to these two women. While they are in the bathroom presumably doing coke, Pedro and Chong mess around on the police dispatch radio. Somehow throughout this journey, the van is beginning to slowly burn and release the weed smoke out in the air. After leaving the police station they are pulled over by policemen on a motorcycle but the cop is high because of the fumes. Instead of arresting them, the cop lets them go after asking to eat Chong’s hotdog he had gotten to eat. Once they get to the Roxy the number of bands there is crazy. The cops show up and take control of the van and can have it towed to the station but unfortunately, some fuel

is spilling from the back of the van, and a cigarette lights the fuel and weed itself. Not only do the cops get high as a kite, but the smoke also fills the Roxy while Pedro’s band is playing and subsequently win the battle of the bands.

Watching this movie is like looking in a time capsule during the crazy times known as the 1970s. Seeing how drug culture back then was portrayed it doesn’t seem like much has changed. Being a cannabis user you’ll most likely run into people who love Cannabis but you might also encounter people on drugs that may be a bit harder. I heard terms such as lid that my parents use and now I understand what the hell they’re talking about now. It’s crazy to see the stoner movie tropes I’ve come to love and expect when a movie like this comes out. No question without this movie, there probably wouldn’t be a Pineapple Express, How High, Friday, or any film a part of the stoner subgenre.

-James Wyche

A Day In the Life...

Of A Tech Exec Who Routinely Enjoys Cannabis

By Jamie Partida and Amber Wright

It’s right before 7 in the morning, and Autumn’s alarm goes off to get ready for another day at work, except now she works from home. She sets her phone on snooze, and gives herself another 5 minutes to close her eyes and mentally prepare herself for the day ahead. A year ago today, she would have slept past the several snooze alarms going off just right before she had to run out the door to catch the subway and head to the office. Autumn works in tech and also does some day trading as a side hustle, something she began doing during the pandemic to sharpen her skills. This new routine has her waking up earlier, in a better mood and more energized to take on the day.

The first thing she does in the morning is check the stock market to see if anything dramatic has happened, while she brushes her teeth she also does some squats- multitasking at its finest. She then makes her way to the kitchen to turn on the toaster oven and heat up her favorite Trader Joe’s Hash Browns. On most days, Autumn makes sure she stays hydrated by drinking water before

9 AM, right before that first morning spark. Depending on the mood, it’s either a joint or a nicely packed bong, either one will help get the day started in a productive and positive way for Autumn: “I either roll up or take a bowl hit...unless someone is trying me early then I spark one to calm myself down”

At 9 AM she’s on her first trading call and ready to make some money. A morning ritual isn’t complete without affirmations and intention setting before starting work, and Autumn lives by this self-care activity as it has helped her stay sane during quarantine and hectic work days. Working in tech

keeps her busy all day long, checking email and on multiple screens, but Autumn still makes time for a quick sesh to get her focused and calm, typically she prefers a high CBD Sativa strain to keep her energized. She uses her smoke supplies from the Culture Club Essentials Box that comes with a grinder, a rolling tray, rolling papers, lighter, and hemp wick among other things. It’s easy to manage being productive during the day when all her supplies are delivered monthly, while also giving back to the community in the process. Normally, she would volunteer at the local food bank to fulfill her civic duties, however during the pandemic it’s nearly impossible to volunteer the same way, so she relies on the Culture Club Smoke Shop to handle the social good she normally likes to partake in.

Finally, after a few long hours of grueling work, it’s time to wind down for the evening, and Autumn often finds herself working late as she works on several projects and side

hustles throughout the day. Usually Autumn would go to the gym after work to let off some steam, but these days she prefers a quick at home workout to stay healthy and active. What keeps her going is knowing that she has a job she loves, a side hustle that she enjoys, she gives back to her community, and has plenty of ganja and CBD to make her days feel better as we all navigate through a pandemic. Her days are usually the same-with the exception of some days being more trying than others, but there is nothing she can’t handle as long as she knows she’s staying hydrated, elevated and productive. She saves the good Indica strains for the end of her day when she can relax and spend the rest of the day reflecting on the good and the bad, the highs and the lows. Whether she goes for the pipe, papers, bong or edibles is all up to her to decide and indulge.

“You study, you work, you are responsible, you dress well, you put yourself together every morning, you manage your money, you are educated & respectful, you are loyal, you have vision and plans for the future.”

-Jay Shetty

PHOTOS BY BRITTAINY NEWMAN OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

Happy Cannadate

A POST-MORTEM

By Stu Zakim

Happy Anniversary to Munkey Biz! Congrats to David Hernandez and his team.

In the “I’ll take what she’s smoking” world, at this time, the current administration hasn’t accepted reality, we won! Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will become President and VicePresident and hopefully, Georgia’s Senate run-off January 5 will give the new administration a majority in both houses of Congress.

The other piece of good news for the Munkey family is that legalizing either/ or medical and adult use Cannabis passed in every state it was on the ballot. Soon, residents in states like mine, New Jersey, especially those who are black or brown, will not only not be incarcerated and have their lives destroyed for minor Cannabis offenses, those that were in the past will have their records expunged and that’s the first step towards social justice and equity. Also, the NJ law contains a component very important to those of use who loved the Munkey

culture and experience – public consumption lounges. Although the voters have spoken, there’s still a ways to go before everyone takes the PATH Train to Hoboken to score their weed. Pre-Covid, there were many towns in the state that had already voted to not allow legal Cannabis businesses in their towns; now with the tax deficits and unemployment caused by the pandemic, let’s see how quickly those same towns pivot to welcome us with open arms.

The Munkey family as well as the Cannabis community as a whole, represent a large voting block and as the legalization wave continues, politicians must see us that way and reach out to leaders like Vlad and Ramon to really understand what matters to our industry. As NY moves towards it, let’s leverage that strength to create a bill that addresses features important to the community. Check out our weekly newsletter and website to stay updated about this. AND, THANK YOU FOR VOTING!

A New Jersey SITREP

(Situation Report)

By Leo Bridgewater

On November 3rd 2020 the state of NJ passed an amendment to its state constitution to tax and regulate Adult use cannabis for persons 21 and older. That night Mississippi, Arizona, Montanna, and South Dakota all passed adult use measures legalizing cannabis. In a first, South Dakota passed measures for both Medicinal and adult use cannabis in the same election. New Jersey is unique in that we are the first Mid-Atlantic state to pass adult use measures and adult use passed with 67% of the vote. No state has ever passed adult use cannabis with 67% of the vote in favor of. That means 2.7 million people voted in favor of ballot question 1, and adult use, it won in every county in the state. Given the fact that for years NJ lawmakers have been largely reluctant to pass any adult use measures because many of them were convinced that majority of their constituents did want cannabis legalized in NJ. In fact, a number of municipalities passed ordinances banning cannabis businesses from operating within their towns. N.I.M.B.Y (Not In My Back Yard) became the battle cry during these years. One NJ lawmaker actually predicted an apocalypse type of scenario where NJ residents would be laying on street corners because they purchased their cannabis at a local bodega. He also predicted there would be sales of cannabis infused sex oil. This type of hysteria was not exclusive to just lawmakers. Church leaders in the state also raised unfounded concerns as well. A prominent NJ church leader predicted that passengers flying out of Newark Airport would be greeted by their pilots informing them that take

off would happen as soon the pilot and copilot finish their “marijuana” joints. Every Halloween news outlets across the state would publish reports warning parents to check their kids bags of candy for “marijuana” laced candy. Yet, despite all of the efforts made to persuade voters against cannabis legalization, NJ still overwhelmingly said yes. 2.7 million yes votes prove that there exist a very serious disconnect between lawmakers and their constituency. Unfortunately, that disconnect has evolved into malcontent and vengeance. Lawmakers in both the lower house and assembly are angry, embarrassed, and determined to get back at the 2.7 million NJ voters by ensuring they pass the most f**k’d up Cannabis regulations possible. It shouldn’t be a surprise to most New Jerseyans given we are just 3 years into the recovery of 8 years of Chris Christie. We have one of the most progressive Governors in state history in Phil Murphy. Our Lt Gov is a Black woman named Sheila Oliver and Donald Trump lost. We should have expected some sort of backlash from lawmakers given the years of them kicking the cannabis can down the road. Senator Nick Scutari’s (D-22 dist.) frustration is not completely unfounded. He has to simultaneously be a leader and a teacher. A feat not easy to pull off when you have majority of the lower house and senate scrambling to sink the NJ Cannabis

Industry at its inception as recompense for an overwhelming and historic yes vote. The root of all of the problems that is the Cannabis Industry lays at the feet of education or lack thereof. The most immediate and damning piece of evidence that points to lawmakers not being educated enough in Cannabis was the first sentence in question 1 on the ballot: Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called “cannabis”?

The question itself was factually written wrong and not one senator, assemblymen, or staff member in any office at the state house caught the mistake. That type of blunder has led to a series of other blunders made by lawmakers who have now chosen to become irreversibly tone deaf. Days after election night lawmakers in both the senate and lower house introduced bills where the term social equity didn’t appear once. All the while telling people social justice was their main motivation. The problem is there was zero social justice in the bills language. Record expungement is only up to 6 ounces and they placed caps on cultivation licenses. Micro licenses is the only way lawmakers would like to see people of color (POC) get into the Industry and home grow continues to be too advanced of a subject for this particular body fresh out.

Jeff Oaks a prominent and highly respected NJMMP patient in person pleaded directly to

lawmakers to pass home grow provisions so that patients could have access to medicine. An argument strengthened by the COVID-19 crisis and the states mishandling of the crisis as it relates to NJMMP patients passed away days after election night. Our comfort in his passing is that he can tell the victorious dead in heaven that we did it. The fight for home grow will continue to be lead by prominent activists like Ken Wolsky, Jim Miller, Jo Anne Zito, Edward “Lefty” Grimes and many more. Despite all of the expert testimony over the years’ lawmakers continue to allow their personal misgivings, and ignorance to taint the will of the people. There is still no home grow provision in the bill. See, tone deaf!!

We have two types of lawmakers in the NJ Senate and Assembly: Jetsons vs Flintstones. Those designators transcend race, religion, gender, and more importantly, age. There are some very young flintstones out there. I’ve also learned that there are some Jetsons pretending to flintstones because it is much

more profitable for them to be a flintstone than it is to be a jetson. You know exactly who they are based on the words they use, the things they say, and the things they do. Cannabis legalization disturbs 3 types of revenue in NJ all of which have historically been financially beneficial to the state of NJ. Old money would be assigned to the Pharmaceutical Industry. They have been operating in NJ for generations and the reason why NJ is considered the medicine cabinet of the country. Long Money can be assigned to the alcohol Industry who have also been in the state for a very long time. Then there is Big Money which can be assigned to the Prison Industrial Complex which has been thriving evidenced by the ACLU’s arrest report for low level, nonviolent, minor possession of cannabis and how NJ spends $143,000,000 per year prosecuting and incarcerating people for those offenses. 80% of those arrest are of POC despite the fact black and white people use Cannabis at the same rate. The flintstones and Jetson pretenders are

not going to let that go easily. Arresting and beating POC is a very real thing here in NJ. Lawmakers will literally look you in the eye, say social justice, and still try to save those three types of money. The real kicker is that lawmakers want to fund police departments with Cannabis revenue before taking care of communities most harmed by those very same police departments. Again the disconnect and tone deafness is quite palpable.

At the request of Leo Bridgewater and Jessica Gonzalez a very strong contingency of Industry experts, regulators of color, organizations and influencers from across the country have descended upon the state of NJ. They have made oral testimony and submitted written testimony. This contingency is includes key figures in the cannabis industry such as Dasheeda Dawson -City of Portland Cannabis Program Supervisor. Dr. Rachel Knox-a certified Cannabinoid Medicine specialist and spokesperson for Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, certified member of

the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, and Chair for the Oregon Cannabis Commission. Tahir Johnson- Membership manager and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager of the National Cannabis Industry Association. Gia Moron-President of Women Grow. They and many others voluntarily availed themselves to the NJ Legislative Black Caucus, the Latino Legislative Caucus, the Capital City Area Black Caucus and even submitted actual bill language and memos. It’s been a week since email intros have been made and the only lawmaker who would take a meeting is Sen Nick Scutari. The silence from NJLBC, LLBC and CCABC is deafening, scary, and dangerous. I don’t know who is advising those organization but it definitely isn’t anyone I know and that is a troubling fact. I guess the old saying “skin folk ain’t always kin folk” would definitely apply here. At this point it seems our lawmakers are hell bent on NJ getting the “Cautionary” label of what not to do when legalizing cannabis. An unfortunate position to be when political and social tone deafness is en vogue during the age of Trump.

Washington State Should Serve As A Cautionary Tale To Cannabis Activists On The East Coast

By Johnny Green

I have worked as a cannabis activist in Oregon since I was in high school in the late 1990s. In 1998 Oregon became the second state in the nation to legalize cannabis for medical use, which is a fact that every cannabis activist in Oregon is very proud of. Our medical program is a shell of its old self, but the 1998 victory is still very much worth being proud of.

Oregon was the first state to decriminalize cannabis in the United States, and was poised to be one of the first states to legalize cannabis for adult use in 2012. We had a legalization measure on the ballot in 2012, along with Washington State and Colorado. Unfortunately, Oregon failed to pass the measure and had to wait until 2014 to legalize, however, voters in Colorado and Washington State did approve their measures and those states made history.

The successful measures in Colorado and Washington differed in various ways, but one difference stood out

from the rest - Colorado’s new law allowed home cultivation for adult use while Washington State’s new law did not allow home cultivation. That difference has proven to be a major deficiency in Washington’s legalization model as time has gone by.

I worked fairly closely with the Washington campaign back in 2012, and while I played no role in drafting the legalization initiative language, I did have conversations at the time with the team that drafted the language. When I asked them why they omitted a home cultivation provision I was told that it did not poll very well in Washington State, and that they omitted it to increase the chances of success on Election Day.

At the time the general consensus seemed to be that the campaign wanted to go with a sure thing, and that they would work to get home cultivation passed through Washington’s Legislature in the next session. It seemed like a straightforward approach

back then because, after all, no state had legalized previously and many cannabis activists (myself included) assumed that lawmakers in Washington would step up. Unfortunately, time has proven that assumption to be flawed.

Washington State still prohibits home cultivation for adult use. Several states have since passed legalization measures that include home cultivation provisions, yet adults in Washington can still face charges if they cultivate even one plant without a medical cannabis card.

As states on the East Coast move to legalize cannabis for adult use, or pursue their process of implementing an already approved cannabis legalization measure, it is vital that cannabis activists fight for home cultivation. It is extremely important that they learn from what has happened in Washington State and fight as hard as they can to ensure that legal home cultivation becomes a reality.

If activists don’t fight for that specific provision early and often, it is quite likely that they could be waiting for legal home cultivation for years to come like in Washington State, and that would be extremely unfortunate.

How Cannabis Changed Health & Wellness

By Estefania Esteval & Salam Diri

Cannabis has been one of the most disruptive plants shattering preconceptions in the Health & Wellness field. Less than 30 years ago most health care professionals deterred their patients from cannabis consumption and would not even consider recommending medical cannabis as an alternative treatment. They were taught that cannabis was a gateway to heavy drug usage, irreversible brain cell damage, laziness and unproductivity, despite all of the ancient historic texts from all over the world describing the medical properties of Cannabis.

Documentation going back as far as 2900 BC describes when “The Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi, whom the Chinese credit with bringing civilization to China, noted that Cannabis was a very popular medicine that possessed both yin and yang.” However, enough fear and indoctrination, lack of education, and The Marijuana Tax Act imposed on growers, buyers and sellers in 1937, led to the reduction of medical Cannabis prescriptions by doctors and eventually its removal from the United States Pharmacopeia and Medical text books in 1942.

A new generation of doctors emerged with new found knowledge in chemistry and pharmacology which was ensured to them to be the best possible approach. In most traditional medical schools, students are often discouraged to discuss holistic healing practices and they are often dismissed because “there is not enough evidence to really know, so don’t recommend it.”

The pharmaceutical industry shifted the perception of health from a steady, natural, and often preventative, self-healing approach to a system that profits off symptom based, quick fixes, which often lead to a cocktail of prescription drugs that don’t get to the root of the problem and very often make the person dependent and worse. The CDC estimates that 130 people die from opioid abuse daily in the United States, 40% of which are as a result of prescription opioid-based drugs. Cannabis has shown huge promise in changing these statistics and medical professionals are becoming more and more aware of the need to take an integrative approach when treating their patients.

On the bright side, today we see many medical doctors, psychologists, physical therapists, massage therapists, holistic practitioners and fitness experts of all different specialties advocating for medical Cannabis and incorporating it into their practice, for some, it is their preferred recommendation. The Knox family is a great example of doctors who dared to look beyond the textbooks and recognized a huge gap in their education and traditional medical practices. They are internationally recognized as thought leaders in the care of the Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis therapeutics, from cannabinoid science and patient care, to Cannabis regulation & education. The discovery of THC by Dr. Raphael Machoulam was a major milestone for Cannabis medicine in 1964. The Israeli Organic Chemist and professor of medical chemistry became known as the Father of Cannabis for his major scientific contributions. He paved the way to his surprise, for the discovery of hundreds of different Cannabinoids within the Cannabis plant and also produced within our body. This led to the discovery of Cannabinoid receptors in the body, predominantly concentrated in the brain and

throughout the nervous and immune systems. This system of cannabinoids and receptors is known as the Endocannabinoid System which regulates all physiological systems and processes in the human body, like a conductor guiding an orchestra. ECS function highly influences mood, behavior, learning, alertness, pain, stress, appetite, digestion, and countless other important body functions. Research has linked many chronic conditions to ECS dysfunction which occurs due to stressors in the environment such as pollution, genetics and/or lifestyle. Luckily there are many different ways to restore ECS function- Cannabis, yoga, exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, music, certain foods, plants and herbs, singing, dancing and making love all stimulate and optimize your ECS.

Cannabis research and knowledge on the ECS gives us a glimpse at the complexity and interconnection of our mind, body and spirit. As a result, more and more medical practitioners are getting educated and recognizing the value of integrating ancient medicine into their practices. Cannabis has bridged a gap between natural and western medicine, by showing the interconnection of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being on physical health. Currently we are seeing a collective shift in the consciousness of the entire country and world toward plant medicine. On November 3rd 2020, Oregon voted to legalize psilocybin, known as magic mushrooms, for people age 21 and older to be used to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction and other conditions. Additionally, 6 states including NJ, made steps to legalize Cannabis and 1 state decriminalized all Psychedelics.

Self reflection is a vital part of knowing what you need to be your own healer. Many patients report a complete change in their quality of life after

undergoing Cannabis therapy. Cannabis use highly reduces stress and allows the person to forget negative thoughts and feelings during challenging times, and this is especially important when the person is healing. Cannabis allows people to connect to themselves at a deeper level and have different perceptions of life and of themselves, others and the environment, which can help create the necessary change to improve their health and wellbeing. In other words, Cannabis continues to change the mainstream perception of health and wellness by opening the gateway to health and wellness.

Treat Cannabis Like Coffee!

Don’t regulate cannabis like alcohol or tobacco. Regulate it like coffee.

By Ryan Lepore

Ever feel like we are doing this wrong?

I mean this whole legalization thing. And how can we ever get it right if our core understanding of cannabis is flawed? Typically, cannabis is placed into a regulatory format similar to alcohol, gambling and cigarettes. This means the way we structure laws, business models, and regulatory oversight contextualizes cannabis as an “unavoidable evil” of society with a high risk for abuse requiring heavy regulation and taxation.

But what if we changed that comparison?

Why not compare it to caffeine—one of the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drugs. Caffeine is “generally recognized as safe,” or “GRAS” for short, by the FDA. And as we all know, coffee products can be found everywhere, from large brand chains to smaller boutique roasters, inside restaurants and corner stores, at events and in our homes. The Cannabis “Industry” could look this way too. After all, cannabis and coffee have tons of similarities that, at times, we neglect to analyze when talking about regulation.

Beans and Buds

Believe it or not, caffeine alters your state of “consciousness” depending on the type of coffee bean or source, region, process of washing, roasting and so on. Similarly, cannabis’ quality is sourced within

the variance between strains, genetics, cultivation and processing methods.

Some of us even pay enough attention to ensure we freshly grind coffee beans immediately before use and purchase upon more recent “roast dates”, much in the way we grind fresh cannabis flower before use and note batch dates. With Coffee, storage/ packaging methods are important - coming in mylar bags and jars, there is rarely a restriction upon how much you are allowed to purchase - something that is too often over-regulated in cannabis laws.

Importantly, we have defined a range of caffeine content that is typically present in most caffeine products when purchased (IE 80-175 MG in a cup of coffee) - so consumers are in tune with their intake - unlike cannabis we are still in an exploratory phase as it is not as simple as solely monitoring THC intake. We rarely associate coffee shops as conduits of psychoactivity, and this is due to our societal understanding within the moderation of using caffeine - and it’s parameters of safety.

And of course, cannabis and caffeine both have side effects, though both sets of side effects are considerably safer when compared to alcohol or tobacco. And in fact, the side effects from coffee withdrawal tend to be more “physically intensive” than

the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal. When comparing the psychoactive component of cannabis vs the psychoactive component of coffee...well we can probably agree here that cannabis is more “intense”. This is usually the risk that most people focus on when it comes to cannabis, which at times boils down to the risk upon cannabis use for new or in-experienced users. This debatably is rooted in the lack of understanding about the product itself, the environment surrounding the user when consuming and the understanding towards proper dosing - or rather at times encouragement from peers to properly dose.

The Reggies

After seeing multiple cannabis programs model their legalization efforts in a similar manner to alcohol, tobacco or gambling, we forget to consider how common cannabis use already is. It’s products deserve to be available and normalized in restaurants, corner stores, boutiques, or for on-site consumption, like coffee.

Through my experience, this consistent flaw exists even when we approach cannabis education and legalization. We draw the parallel of cannabis to be regulated like alcohol, tobacco, or gambling to show an example of similar paradigm shift society is already comfortable with — and to be fair there are a decent amount of similarities and case studies to draw upon from a regulatory standpoint.

But the comparison stops short eventually. Alcohol, tobacco, and gambling do not have wide-spread medicinal use. Sure, they trigger the pleasure and dopamine portions

of our brain, but rarely are they conflated with the plethora of medicinal benefits that cannabis has proven itself with over the course of modern history.

Using cannabis regularly or recreationally serves to improve general wellness, contradictory towards viewpoints that it could cause widespread public harm if legalized, a view commonly observed within the abuse of alcohol or tobacco.

Additionally, studies have shown that consumers tend to decrease the rate of tobacco or alcohol consumption within legal cannabis states. This translates to consumers choosing to spend their time using a “drug” that is safer — inherently mitigating the harms that come with alcohol and tobacco use.

We fall into this habit because regulating cannabis like alcohol, tobacco, or gambling is an “easy to understand” roadmap for policy makers, and regulators to follow. And without a centralized regulatory agency to provide federal guidance, the regulatory approach falls into uncertainty. Instead, the federal guidance that’s received is from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which at its core, is only able to do research on the risks associated with illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. (Ironically, caffeine does not get researched by NIDA.) In all, we get legalization bills and policy rooted in our inability to overcome stigma.

As the novelty dissipates, the plant commodifies, and research and education become more transparent and available, we will finally realize we need to be treating our joints of Mary more like cups of Joe.

Legalization Gets Going In the Garden State!

By Jessica Gonzalez, ESQ.

On November 3, 2020, the state of New Jersey overwhelmingly approved cannabis legalization with over 67% of residents voting yes to public question number 1. When adult use legalization could not garner enough votes to pass legislatively in May 2019, legislators kicked it to New Jersey residents to decide for themselves. NJ residents made their will known and with a 67% approval rate, NJ waged the most successful cannabis campaign in the history of this country. Such a historic number amplifies the disconnect between legislators and its constituents who loudly and proudly proclaimed that adult-use cannabis is more than welcome in NJ. Now that voters have spoken, the time is ticking to pass enabling legislation that would create the regulatory framework for a new adult-use market.

Time is of the essence because on January 1, 2021, the NJ constitution automatically changes to legalize adult-use cannabis. Racing against the clock, on November 6th, legislators introduced the enabling legislation titled the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act” (“A21/ S21”) only three days after the ballot count had been called. Confident in the numbers, legislators expected A21/ S21 to pass with flying colors, but such an expectation was quickly deflated when advocates and civically engaged organizations testified against A21/S21 on November 9th during legislative committee meetings.

Public outcries from advocates and advocacy groups (consisting of myself, Minorities for Medical Marijuana, Minority Cannabis Business Association, Cannaclusive, Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition and more) assisted in stalling the progress of A21/S2 which was pulled from further voting. Advocates demanded that legislators abide by the will of the people and pass equitable legislation that addresses the harms caused by NJ’s notorious participation

in the criminalization of cannabis. A review of S21/A21 revealed that it was a resurrected version of S2703, the adult use bill that failed to pass in May 2019, that excluded key social equity provisions necessary to assist communities most harmed by The War on Drugs. In the wake of George Floyd and the BLM movement, for legislators to exclude even the word social equity from appearing once in the initial version of A21/S21 signaled to advocates that A21/S21 was far from what voters voted for. The NJ cannabis legalization campaign, led by the NJCAN 2020 coalition, was centered around social equity and social justice, yet the proposed legislation failed to reflect any intent by the state to enact legislation that would benefit the communities impacted by the criminalization of cannabis. On November 19th, both the NJ Assembly and Senate introduced amendments that spoke to various social initiatives proposed by advocates. However, both amendments differed causing further delay and confusion as to what the final legislation will look like.

What is certain about the legislation is there will be six different license types ranging from cultivation, processing, wholesaling, distribution, retail (with consumption lounges) and delivery. For those looking to apply for any license type in NJ, A21/S21 provides the minimum requirements necessary

to qualify. Right now, applicants have time on their side to get their ducks in a row, as we will likely see the issuance of adult use licenses in the latter half of 2021. First, we need enabling legislation to pass in NJ which is expected to occur before January 1, 2021. Concurrently, the five-member Cannabis Regulatory Commission (“CRC”) that will oversee both the medical and adult use market needs to take form as currently only the Chair and the Executive Director have been appointed. Once the CRC has been fully formed, the CRC must then introduce regulations for the adult use market which will be subject to public comment and then those regulations must be enacted. From the enactment of the regulations, the CRC will have a certain amount of time before they must begin accepting adult use license applications. Though it will take some time, we may see adult use sales earlier as the current medical operators will be able to dispense adult use cannabis upon certifying that they can meet patient demand.

As the first in the tri-state area to legalize, New Jersey has an opportunity to lead by example. It is my hope that NJ decision makers have the foresight to understand that without equitable legalization, we will succumb to the same implementation disasters seen in other states. Legislators must tune in to their advocates and constituents and implement legislation that speaks to what voters voted for in the first place.

CHEF SEBASTIAN

#theshortordercannabisrevolutionary

Generally, around late August we start to see the plethora of winter squash ripening. Then over the next few months you will see everything from curry to hubbard, and buttercup to delicata. Winter squash are some of the most delicious, nutritious, and versatile ingredients of the autumn season. Although now most of my cooking is done at home, I still utilize and often chase down rare winter squash to make the simplest of Autumn dishes. Soups mostly but every now and then a curry, or a risotto, and when I get rambunctious – pansotti a little pot-bellied ravioli filled with roast winter squash and served in a sage brown creamery butter. Yum. This very simple and very nutritious soup recipe generally

contains a mixture of as many different winter squashes as you can find and would like to add. Truthfully, the more the better. I usually try to keep the thc dosage on warm soups from 2 to 6 milligrams, so no one gets totally wrecked in front of the family. If you are seeking a different result, around your family members during the holidays please feel free to serve them two or three bowls and sit back and enjoy the evening. I hope you will enjoy the simple depth of flavor each squash brings to the pot. A quick chef’s note: this velvety smooth soup is best enjoyed smoking the best of your harvest with loved ones in front of a warm crackling fire.

A BOWL OF AUTUMN GOLD

with popcorn, honeyed yogurt, and fried sage

DIRECTIONS

MAKES AND SERVINGS

prep time: 45 minutes

cook time: 1 hour

yield: 8 to 10 servings

status: Can potentially be completely vegan but some things would have to be manipulated (a bomb-ass fall soup)

From the cannabis pantry: cannabis coconut oil, cannabis maple syrup, cannabis olive oil, decarboxylated

PROVISIONS

1 lb organic carrots

2 lb misc. organic winter squash (such as butternut, hubbard, red kuri or buttercup)

¼ cup + 2 tbsp fresh organic ginger (cut into thick rings)

1 med organic sweet onion (peeled + large diced)

1-2 tbsp cannabis olive oil

1 to 1½ quarts water

14oz can unsweetened organic coconut milk

pinch of each ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice

¼ cup cannabis coconut oil

2oz pure cannabis maple syrup

1 tbsp jacobsen kosher salt

¼ tsp ground organic white pepper

¼ gram decarboxylated kief (optional)

1 drop true terpenes eugenol

1 cup popcorn (yeah, you can use that already popped store bought shit)

½ cup greek yogurt

¼ cup cannabis infused honey

6-8 fried small sage leaves

To roast all the vegetables for the soup. Preheat the oven to 425º.

Peel, seed and cut squash into 1-2 inch cubes, add to a stainless-steel bowl, toss the squash cubes, onions, and ginger with just enough olive oil to coat, season with salt + pepper.

In a separate pan cook sausage until it has released some of its fat (about 8 minutes), drain and set aside.

Pour seasoned squash mixture onto a parchment lined sheet pan.

Roast in a preheated oven until squash is tender but not browned, lightly roasted (lacking any caramelized coloring), about 20-24 minutes, set aside at room temp.

To make the soup. in a large stock pot add the roasted squash cube mixture and all the remaining ingredients including maple syrup and the remaining fresh ginger.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce to low, simmer for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally.

Let cool for 45 minutes to an hour.

Add the terpenes.

Puree the soup in batches using a hi-speed blender, adjust the seasonings and pool the pureed batches into another stock pot. mix well.

To make the honeyed yogurt, mix the greek yogurt and honey in a bowl and mix well.

To fry the sage leaves. heat a little regular oil up in a small sauté pan and fry each leaf until crispy, about 45 seconds or so.

To serve the soup, reheat to desired temperature. fill each bowl with desired amount of soup. Add a tablespoon or so of honeyed yogurt to each bowl, a scattering of popcorn and a fried sage leaf or two. Enjoy whether on an autumn day or not.

CHEF MIGS

PERNIL

PROVISIONS

5-7 lb bone in pork shoulder

15 garlic cloves

2.5 tbsp Dominican oregano

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup sour orange juice or white vinegar

1/4 ounce of your favorite bud

Place all the ingredients except the weed in a mortar and pestle and grind into a paste.

Cut slits in the pork shoulder and rub marinade into the cuts. Any remaining paste rub all over the shoulder. Let this sit in the fridge for 48-72 hours

3 days later, Roast at 325 degrees for 2 hours skin side down.

Flip and cook for 2.5 more hours until crispy.

Strain all the pork fat and add the decarboxylated flower to it. Simmer on low for 20 minutes, then strain.

Pour the infused fat over the pork shoulder and shred the pernil. Making sure to toss the meat in the fat. Serve with your moms arroz con guandules

OH TANNENBAUM (A CANNABIS “INFUZED” FULL-BODY BUZZY-NUMBER)

CHEF WARREN

PROVISIONS

Ingredients: For two

2 oz. Rhum Agricole

2 oz. Pickett’s Ginger Beer Syrup infused with THC-& please, never CBD-that’s just snake oil! It will never get you high, ever!

1 oz. Always Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice, Lemon Juice, Grapefruit Juice

Finish:

3 oz. Seltzer Water

10 drops Fee Brothers West Indian Orange Bitters or Angostura (finishing) Pinch of Sea Salt, then another…

This is a shaken drink so please use really good ice when you shake the drink. Serve it over crushed ice that doesn’t taste like your fridge... Essential.

Add to Boston Shaker filled ¾ with good cube ice (except the seltzer!)

Cap and shake hard

Pour into a tall glass filled with a cone of crushed ice, double strained.

Finish with a splash of seltzer and a pinch of sea salt.

Dot with bitters and sip your way to St. Barts in the Winter.

CHEF JOSH

COCONUT “COQUITO” PIE

PROVISIONS

Pie Crust Ingredient:

1.5 cups AP flour

¼ tsp salt

8 tbsp cold butter (shortening gives you more flakes, CannaButter makes it medicated)

3-4 tbsp ice cold water

Filing Ingredients:

1.5 cups Coquito

1 cup heavy cream

¼ tsp salt

¾ cup sugar

2 tsp Vanilla

2 tsp Cannabis Extract

¼ tsp Nutmeg

¼ tsp Cinnamon

How to make the crust:

PreHeat the oven to 375f | Whisk together all the dry ingredients | Work in the butter “cutting” it into the dry ingredients with a fork or knife | Stop when it is fairly crumbly | Slowly add the ice water one tablespoon at a time while mixing | Keep mixing and adding water until the dough becomes cohesive | Don’t over mix, you want to be able to see little specs of the butter | Flatten the dough into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Roll out the dough and cut it into a 13in circle (for a 9in pie) | Grease the pie tin and place the dough into the tin pressing it in | Blind bake the pie by lining it with parchment paper and using pie weights or dry beans, bake the crust for 15 minutes | Remove the parchment and weights and bake again for another 10 minutes, until golden | Turn oven temp to 300f

How to make the filing:

Combine coquito, cream and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat gently until small bubbles form and the milk starts to steam. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar | Temper the mixture by adding small amounts of the hot cream at a time to the eggs and sugar, being careful not to cook the eggs | After adding all the hot cream to the eggs, pour it through a sieve to remove any unwanted egg pieces | Mix in the extracts | Pour the filing into the cooled crust | Sprinkle on nutmeg and cinnamon

Baking instructions:

Make sure oven is 300f | Cover edges of crust with aluminum foil so the crust doesn’t burn | Place pie in oven on middle rack

Bake for 35-40 minutes until filing sets around edges | The middle should still be jiggly

Let pie cool | Once completely cool top with whipped cream

Munkey Munchies

High and welcome back Happy Munkey Fam! For this installment of Munkey Munchies we take our adventure on the road for the very first time! This month our search for the best stoner munchies brought us to The City of Lakes, Minneapolis, Minnesota for none other than fine-dining staple, Spoon and Stable! In anticipation for my trip to Minnesota, and Covid-19 making it impossible to get a table night of, I made my late Friday night reservations three weeks in advance!

What I could not have planned for was that when I landed in Minnesota on a Thursday, I got news that due to Covid-19 all indoor dining would be closed starting Saturday morning! Essentially making my reservation one of the last ones to be seated before the second Covid-19 state mandated shutdown this year. To prepare, my date and I got our appetite up by smoking some Mint Chocolate Chip hash rosin out of my Puffco Peak Pro and Ubered to the restaurant!

I walked in and immediately was greeted by the host and walked to my table. As I looked around I could see head chef Gavin Kaysen with accompanying staff diligently and masterfully craft meals in the open air kitchen towards the back of the restaurant. Now sitting I vibed out to the hip lowkey ambiance while I read over the menu stoned wanting a little bit of everything. I eventually narrowed down my order (but not by much) to just four courses and cocktails.

First was the absolutely insane Bison Tartare with watermelon radish and complimentary warm wheat bread and butter! The second was a Pasta Fusilli Verde with savory cotechino sausage ragu, broccolini, and nodes of hazelnut! The main course was a thanksgiving style pot roast with mashed potatoes and a side of spinach and cheese curds. We topped off our taste bud journey with a Honey & Cream Cake with sweetened condensed milk ice cream for dessert. No question my experience was a 10/10! The only thing that would have made it better was if I could have hit my puffco at the table in between courses!

I can’t think of the next time I’ll be in Minneapolis, but if you are ever in the MiniApple and looking for some fine dining to delectably curb your munchies definitely make plans to stop by Spoon & Stable!

-David Hernandez

MyCannabisAccountant’s Monthly Accounting Advice

What to Do When Your ‘Regular’ Accountant or CPA Turns You Down Because of Your Cannabis or Hemp Business?

Accounting is a critical component of all businesses. It is especially important for hemp and cannabis companies, as there are many complicated state and federal regulations you need to follow. The problem is that many “regular” accountants and CPAs might be hesitant, or refuse, to work with a hemp or cannabis business. But just because a regular accountant won’t work with you, this doesn’t mean you have to manage all your accounting alone.

Why Would an Accountant Turn You Down?

Regular accountants and CPAs might turn down a hemp or cannabis business client for several reasons. One is the fear of facing disciplinary action. In most states where cannabis is legal for medical and recreational use, state accounting boards have issued statements saying that accountants won’t face any action simply because they provide services to hemp and cannabis businesses. Even so, cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, which could lead to complications that most professionals don’t want to face. Another reason an accountant or CPA might turn you down is that they want to maintain their image. If they’re associated with a hemp or cannabis business, they may lose some of their existing clients due to the stigma that still exists regarding the industry.

What Can You Do?

Having a cannabis accountant on your side provides several significant benefits:

• You know you’re working with someone who understands the intricacies of hemp and cannabis tax laws.

• They can balance your books each month, leaving you free to focus on your business.

• Your business will stay compliant with all state and federal regulations.

• Your accountant will know all the latest rules, as well as any changes that might occur, so you’ll always be on top of things.

• You’ll save time and money, and you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary

Getting turned away by an accountant or CPA can leave you scrambling and wondering what to do next. While you could take care of your own books (which we highly DO NOT recommend doing), you already have enough to manage. You also want to ensure everything is accurate so that you don’t run into legal problems. Fortunately, there are highly experienced accountants out there, like My Cannabis Accountant, who specialize in accounting and tax preparation for hemp and cannabis businesses.

www.MyCannabisAccountant.com

CURVY

CANNABIS

After the summit participants walked away with many tips about growing in Self-Love and we’re sharing 5 tips here:

1. Unsolicited commentary on other’s bodies can be harmful, even if a compliment. It’s less harmful to compliment them on their energy.

2. Self-adornment is a form of self-love. Adorn your body and admire it.

3. Place boundaries on our psyche. Your psyche is like a garden, put up a fence around it. You don’t want people planting shit in your garden that you don’t want there.

4. Be yourself and those who vibe with you and resonate with your frequency will come.

5. Visibility is a form of liberation. Sometimes your representation heals others.

#CurvyCannabis began as a local marketing campaign but has since expanded. The virtual summit, which took place on November 21st, had an international reach. The summit, organized by LOUD.social in partnership with Olive J. Media, invited participants to discuss the fat/curvy body experience at the intersection of selfhealing and cannabis. The leaders of the conversation included yoga and meditation instructor Jessica Rihal, Messy Movement founder Rashida KhanBey Miller and sex and relationship Coach Ashley Manta, and was moderated by the co-founder of LOUD.social Jess Jackson.

Want to stay connected with the conversation? Follow us on Instagram @LOUD.social and sign up for the #CurvyCannabis Mailing List.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Happy Munkey, Cannaclusive, Tonic CBD, ORCANNYC, Infusery Long Island, Lantern Cannabis, 40 Llama, and Curved Papers

Until next time, stay fabulous, confident and most of all be the love you want to see radiate in this world.

In love always, Heather + Jess

“SELF-ADORNMENT IS A FORM OF SELF-LOVE.”

Welcome back Happy Munkey Fam, this month’s “Strain Of The Month” is none other than the magnificent Donny Burger curated by our friends at ERB Cannabis! Grown in Oregon and pheno-hunted by Skunk House Genetics this powerful cultivar is a flawless cross between the stinky fan favorites GMO & Han Solo Burger! For those of you who have not had the pleasure of trying these trendy cultivars, both GMO and the Burgers are known for savory food like funky stank reminiscent of a mixture of gasoline and French onion soup. Personally I love both their unique flavor profiles and potent highs, and have been a huge fan of GMO and the Burger cultivars since I first got to try them at Happy Munkey in late 2018. That’s why when I got the opportunity to try Donny Burger I knew I was going to be a hit!

At first glance the buds are a mixture of bright greens and tones of dark green interspersed. On a closer look you can see long fiery orange stigmas, as well as a healthy layer of snow white keify trichomes that stuck to my fingers as

I broke apart the buds. When getting ready to grind up the Donny Burger I immediately noticed its sweet forward smell that was quickly followed up with a woodsy evergreen pine scent. After breaking down the nugs, the ground up Donny Burger had the unmissable secondary smell of gassy cheesy savoriness.

For the taste testing sesh I loaded both a clean bong and our new Happy Munkey Genius Pipe with a fresh bowl of the Donny Burger. Using hemp wick I lit the bowl and took a long pull. On the inhale the sweet piney cheese flavor comes in quickly, then on the exhale the gassy savory aftertaste of the GMO lineage pokes through. Within minutes of my first pull I quickly started to feel an electric full body high that soon settled in my face. To all those GMO fans out there looking for that new stanky cultivar with a powerful onset high look no further than Donny Burger! You won’t go wrong picking this bad boy up! Happy Holidaze everyone, see you next month!

Latinx En Cannabis

Welcome Back Happy Munkey Fam! The Happy Munkey crew is bringing you another volume of standout Latinx individuals in the cannabis industry. There are a lot of Latinx people making huge strides in the cannabis industry and we plan to continue shining light on our entire Latinx cannaFam in future issues! Until then please enjoy our 4th installment of “Latinx En Cannabis”!

Chris Cedeño A.K.A. Chef Chris

In loving memory of Happy Munkey tribe member & Twenty Past Four founder, Chef Chris. On 11/19/2020 Chef Chris succumbed to his seven year battle with cancer, surrounded by his family and loved ones. His passion for food, bringing people together and fine dining are all part of his impactful legacy that will live on. Chef Chris’s events brought many in the New York cannabis community together for unforgettable events that created eternal bonds. We send our condolences to the Cedeño family and the Happy Munkey team thanks and honors Chef Chris.

Evelyn Indykca

Hailing from Washington Heights, Evelyn is a proud Afro Latina and founder of the New York Cannabis Times. Helping fill the information gap in the ever expanding cannabis community, The New York Cannabis Times has carved its reputation as a source of trustworthy cannabis news. Evelyn also is no stranger to the halls of the New York State Capitol building, routinely lobbying for cannabis decriminalization and legalization. In addition to her cannabis advocacy Evelyn is also a staunch proponent of Planned Parenthood and protecting women’s reproductive rights!

David Hernandez

David Hernandez is a proud Dominican and Happy Munkey’s COO, being part of the Happy Munkey team since November 2017. In addition to the myriad of tasks David oversees, during his time at Happy Munkey he has been instrumental in the pivot from events to media during Covid-19. David currently is the head editor of Munkey Biz, Happy Munkey’s monthly magazine, as well as a producer on the Happy Munkey Podcast and Happy Munkey TV. Once Covid is behind us David can’t wait to go back to curating mind bending cannabis experiences and vibing with the Happy Munkey Tribe!

Welcome to CANiVISION Midwest

A very Happy Birthday is in order for Happy Munkey’s Munkey Biz, wishing you all 100 more! In a recent recording session with Vlad & Ramon, I mentioned that when I think of Happy Munkey, I immediately think “Authentic”. In the Cannabis industry, it’s extremely important to keep a sense of authenticity and tell the ACTUAL story.

Each industry throughout our history has had its own story to tell. Most of the industries we have come to know have certainly been altered and re-told but still have a sense of pride with respect to those that have participated in one way or another. The Cannabis industry is no different.

The Cannabis Industry is unique in that a story of healing and opportunity has equally been plagued with greed and discrimination. Many industries in America and beyond tend to tell one side without exposing the other(s) – The good, the bad, and the ugly. We fortunately find ourselves in an industry that is in its infancy in comparison. We have an opportunity to explore a once legal, then prohibition industry that has made its way back to a post prohibitional era.

the way with their progressive stance on Social Equity and Criminal Justice Reform. Other Midwest states are primed to enter a market that will have brands from all over converging to bring the best variety of options mixed with a sophisticated legislature(s) that will have a keen sense of responsibility to their communities (so we hope…). Each state has a distinctive narrative to share.

We have a motto at CANiVISION – “One Network. Many Voices”. Not only is there a history that needs to be explored, but there is a story being told and it is important that we allow everyone involved to have a voice. Our goal is to bridge the gaps between the “streets” and the “boardroom”. We plan to gain a better understanding of the Legacy market as we move into a new era of regulation. Each community…each state has a story to tell that has shifted those communities economically, socially, and physically, and psychologically. The Midwest CANiVISION Team will dedicate our efforts to reporting and discussing all perspectives in Cannabis as we tackle relevant content in business, medical, and lifestyle fields. The Great Lake States will have something to say about their place in the Cannabis Industry and we can’t wait to bring you their story! Stay tuned for blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and broadcasts coming to a platform near you!

-Chris Jackson

The Midwest has a market that is usually overlooked. Michigan is quickly trending as a top 3 market in the United States with no caps on licenses, autonomy at the municipal level and baked in an agricultural scene. Illinois is leading

Photos by Owen Madigan

Corona Virus & Cannabis

By Justin Johnson

COVID-19’s effect on the cannabis industry has been significant and will continue to impact its evolution well into the future. That said, the pandemic has also proven the cannabis industry to be capable of weathering the storm better than most. It’s been thriving under federal prohibition for decades, so we shouldn’t be surprised by its resiliency, even in the face of this economically devastating pandemic. Let’s take a quick look at the negative and positive impact of COVID-19 on the cannabis industry in 2020.

Negative: Stores Shut Down, Jobs Lost

Some cannabis companies had layoffs in the early days of the pandemic, like most industries, when some states moved to close dispensaries. Unemployment continues to impact millions, including cannabis professionals, as Congress continues to debate additional rounds of stimulus legislation, with the House including cannabis banking provisions in recent bills.

The circumstances are different for the legacy market, who experienced their own struggles early on as cities shut down and people isolated. Operators and employees working in the illicit space will not receive aid under any circumstances, though many provide a comparable service to their community as dispensaries in the legal markets. Even if legislation passes that supports legal cannabis businesses, it is clear that not everyone in cannabis will be able to stay afloat.

Positive: Cannabis Deemed Essential

In many cases across America, the cannabis industry found itself classified as “essential.” Along with grocery stores, doctors, alcohol, guns and other items, cannabis now appears to be a necessary part of American life in the states where it is legal to consume.

Positive: Sales Soar As Stay-At-Home Orders Come In

Essential items flew off the shelves at many dispensaries as quarantines began taking effect. Cannabis was among the bare necessities to see an uptick in sales as the orders came in, where dispensaries were allowed to stay open.

Data from Headset Inc. revealed impressive sales jumps in early and mid-March. Washington saw a 100% increase in adult use sales compared to the same time period period last year, while Colorado jumped 46%. California took the cake, leaping 159% in sales over the period the year before.

This was followed by quite a lull in sales in the following months, but after nearly nine months into this new normal, states like Illinois and Colorado are crushing monthly sales records.

Positive: Temporary Staffing Soars

A surge in temporary staffing slightly eased the impact of job losses. Top temp recruiting firms for the cannabis space reported activity across all sectors of the market. Recruiters noted that roles are not guaranteed to last, but several reported being temporary-to-permanent as operators gauged how the market would come back.

If these roles become full-time down the line, they could serve as the first wave of helping replenish a cannabis industry that had created over 243,000 full-time jobs in America as of February 2020.

Positive: Marijuana Businesses Make & Donate Essential Goods

As the pandemic grew in the U.S., several cannabis companies decided to temporarily pivot production to aid frontline medical and essential workers in their fight against coronavirus. In some cases, companies began manufacturing hand sanitizer to donate. Other brands began donating portions of their sales to COVID-19 relief funds. As well as instances of producers, cultivators and extractors who donated thousands of personal protection equipment (PPE) items to those in need.

Negative: Delays Slow Down Reform Efforts & Rollouts

The coronavirus delivered several state reform efforts setbacks they couldn’t get over. They include New York State, which pegged 2020 as the year it would finally legalize adult use. States across the Midwest also saw medical and adult use efforts halted. As the pandemic took shape, 2021 and 2022 appeared to become the year New York, Missouri, North Dakota, Idaho and other states would have to pivot towards.

States in the midst of introducing their adult use market were also impacted. Maine’s slow rollout of its adult use market had already affected jobs and revenue. That hurt was all set to finally end in June 2020, when the market would open. Then came the coronavirus like a tidal wave and washed all those plans away. The silver lining here is that Maine finally did open for business in October, as businesses adapted to servicing customers amidst the virus.

Positive: States Eye Cannabis for Economic Recovery

While states like New York faltered in their attempt to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2020, four states voted for legalization in the November election. Neighboring state New Jersey got a jump on the Tri-State area becoming the first to legalize, which could send a ripple effect through states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Other states to legalize included Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota, which are generally regarded as conservative. We also saw Mississippi residents vote to legalize medical marijuana.

Between cannabis being deemed essential, being accepted by more Americans than ever, and governors starting to realize the massive industry they’ve been suppressing for nearly a century, things are starting to click. Don’t be surprised if several states move to legalize cannabis for the tax revenue alone. Let’s hope they also make the appropriate effort to understand the impact of the war on drugs and create legislation that gives those most impacted by it a seat at the table.

For more on how Covid-19 is affecting the Cannabis industry head to the Happy Munkey Blog for the full article!

SAGITTARIUS: Peachy Mack - Happy Birthday, my Optimistic Souls! You’re urged to speak up (yes, more than you already do. lol). What do you desire NOW, not only from others, but more from yourself? Have an honest & deep 1-on-1 with your soul, it shall not steer you wrong. Listen attentively and overdue miracles will begin to appear.

CAPRICORN: Future #1

The more in tune you are with your emotions, the more you will be in control of them, leaving you space to pay close attention to your intuition. Your intuition has been trying to get your attention for a while.

AQUARIUS: Himalayan Blackberry - There may be a slight delay when it comes to making moves. This could pertain to an actual move from 1 location to another, changing jobs or position, or even reaching the next level in your partnership. Either way SUCCESS is around the corner, just don’t panic due to it taking a little longer.

PISCES: Paris XXX

Are you guys finally ready to come out of “Contemplation mode”? Actively doing things that utilizes your creativity will always have your heart feeling complete. It’s time for you to believe in your ideas and stop holding the world, and yourself, back from the magic you can easily make.

ARIES: Hawaiian Mayan Gold - Tapping into Spiritualism will aid you to go beyond the limitations you have been facing lately. Meditating, working to heal old wounds, practicing self-love, and having a spa/massage day are all ways to start.

TAURUS: Sweet Lafayette - Not letting go of outcomes that you had set your heart on will only bring you (more) drama. Releasing will grant you the stability you’ve been wanting in order to ascend to the next level.

d E c EMBER d E c

GEMINI: Dakini Kush

You are still caught up on an unattainable desire that you already know is not good for you. It will only keep you overwhelmed. Take a break from it all, including people, and especially the thoughts that keep you reverting back to those toxic wishes.

CANCER: Ghost of Lee Roy - It is one thing when you measure your own growth, it is another to compare your success to what others may have that you still don’t. Even if the process takes you longer, it shall not be in vain.

LIBRA: Lions Gate

Overthinking will continue to keep you from the magic life you want to create. The Universe has been urging you to take that leap. What are you waiting for? The fear of the outcome not being perfect, something you always strive for, pushes you further back from making the “Go for it!” decision.

VIRGO: Seattle Soda

F2 - Frustration is the one thing that will hold you back from your next move. That means you may have to remove yourself from people/ places that can bring on that unpleasant energy. You have some nice plans up ahead, it’s up to you to avoid any disturbances.

LEO: Tesla - Most of the negativity revolving around your life is due to how you criticize and measure out yourself. Start viewing yourself in the light of admiration for all that you do, especially for others. You work best when your ego is stroked. Why wait for others to show it, go ahead and be your #1 fan.

SCORPIO: Jawa PieYou are called upon to find and keep inner peace while you work hard on things and await the fruits of your labor. Inner peace will not only keep you calm, it will serve as reinforcing armor for you to face anything you may come across ahead. Conquer wisely.

C a N as C o PE s C a N as C o PE s

Virtual Afterparty!

This past month Happy Munkey partnered up with Tribe Tokes to curate & host the Cannabis World Congress Business Expo Insider (CWCBE) virtual afterparty! For two nights, while he hosted a small in person event with the Happy Munkey and Tribe Tokes Team, we virtually seshed, laughed and mingled with conference attendees around the globe!

Shoutouts to our guests Adam Ill, Shannon Briggs (LET’S GO CHAMP), Chloe Villano,

Marc Wasserman, DJ Mugs, BunnyMightGameU, and every one else who jumped on our live show! Thank you to Christin & Tammy, and the rest of the CWBCE event team for putting together a flawless virtual conference! In times like these when cannabis is becoming more mainstream, it is extremely important to continue sharing information and cultivating relationships. Lastly but most definitely not least, thank you and much love to Kym B + Tribe Tokes and the Happy Munkey for bringing the vibes for everyone tuning in at home!

Once we beat Covid we can not wait to host events in person! Thank you to everyone who tuned in virtually and turned up Happy Munkey Style! Truly It’s not where you are, it’s who you’re with, Thank you and much love!

Photos by Calvin Schneider

Kicks 4 da Kulture

By Jose Rozay

Happy Munkey Fam, glad to have you back on this December edition of Kicks 4 the Kulture. December is a special month, not only is it the last month of the year, but also my favorite holiday, Christmas is celebrated in it. Besides the gifts, the Christmas tree, and family time I like to wear my fanciest clothes and sneakers on Christmas. It’s not only a me thing! You can always expect a special Christmas edition sneaker colorway released in December. If it isn’t a limited Christmas themed sneaker released by a popping sneaker company, then it’s a rare personal exclusive worn by a professional basketball player on nationally televised annual Christmas basketball games. The hype and value of a sneaker usually increases after a fan favorite athlete wears the sneaker. Now without further adieu, I will show you some of the best Christmas exclusives moments and kickz ever released.

Released December 25, 2010

The Nike Zoom Kobe 6 “grinch”

The beloved Kobe 6 “Grinch” kicks were worn by the late great Kobe Bryant in a 2010 Basketball game held on Christmas Day. The green apple colorway sneaker was named after Dr. Seuss’ character, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. The sneakers theme fit perfectly for Kobe Bryant because he was known for stealing games from opponents with last minute game winning shots. The Grinches are respected by many sneakerheads to be the best Kobe sneaker to ever release. After over 10 years, in commemoration of Kobe Bryant, Nike has announced that they will release the Kobe 6 “Grinch” in the early half of 2021 with updated performance technology.

Released December 20,2018

Worn December 25, 2019

Air Jordan IV “Wahlburgers”

The Wahlburgers did not actually have a specific Christmas theme. The Wahlburgers were Mark Wahlberg’s family and friends exclusive sneakers gifted from the Jordan brand and named after “Wahlburger” which is Mark’s burger restaurant chain. In December of 2018 Mark Wahlberg decided to release only 30 pairs to the general public via raffle. One of those lucky people was PJ Tucker who went ahead and wore the Wahlburgers to play in a Christmas basketball game. This was a legendary move by PJ Tucker seeing the fact that the Wahlburgers were selling for up to 26 thousand dollars by resellers. Pj Tucker was most definitely the flyest player on the court that Christmas and undoubtedly one of the best sneaker collectors ever.

Concepts x SB Dunk Pro High ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’ Concepts NYC being a sneaker retailer uses its store to enhance story-telling and create one of a kind displays to correlate with Concepts’ sneaker collaborations. One of the many

the ugly Christmas sweater concept. Released in 2017 the ugly sweater Nike’s Sb dunks, were a follow up to Concepts NYC 2013 original release. The sneaker is colored all over with high quality prints of the infamous Mean Snowman and Gingerbread

equipped to bring 4 different lace-locks and places in an exclusive Concepts NYC sneaker box. These kicks are one of a kind and perfect for Christmas, hopefully a new colorway is released in the near future.

In conclusion, the sneakers you choose to wear on Christmas is a big deal for sneaker-heads. Whether it’s in a game, a party, or even a family reunion it is part of the element of culture to wear something rare or expensive on your feet. Personally I like to wear old sneakers that I kept in good condition and increased in value overtime. To sum it all up, a sneaker head just wants to catch people’s attention and show off their kicks or as sneaker heads may say “break necks”, while wearing a new release or exclusive sneaker. I hope you all enjoyed the kickz displayed above and hopefully all make a return in the near future. This is Jose Rozay bringing you Happy Munkey Kickz 4 The Kulture hoping you all enjoy your December and stay Happy.

Merry Christmas!

From Happy Munkey & Jose Rozay

Credits

Editor In Chief: David Hernandez (@davehv)

Design: David Hernandez & Danielle Briggs (www.daniellebriggs.com)

Proofreaders: Yvelisse Viera

Contributing Writers: David Hernandez (@DaveHV), Rafael Hernandez (@rafaelhphotos), Harry Shurek (@Mycannabisacct), Sebastian Carosi (@Chef_ Sebastian_Carosi), Estefania Valencia (@sannacbdyoga), Salam Diri (@sannacbdyoga), Justin Johnson (@Budsfeed), Johnny Green, Jose Cuevas (@Everybody_Loves_Rozay), Warren Bobrow (@ Warrenbobrow), James Wyche (@Spiceisalwaysnice), Jamie Partida, Amber Wright, Heather Carter, Leo Bridgewater, Jessica Gonzalez ESQ. (@Cannabogada), Miguel Trinidad (@chefmigsnyc), Josh Tepperberg (@themediblist), Ryan Lepore.

CannaScopes by @AstroGTarot

Contributing Artist: David Hernandez (@davehv), Danielle Briggs (www. daniellebriggs.com) Rafael Hernandez (@rafaelhphotos), Brittainy Newman (@Bnewmanphoto / The New York Times), Milo Fynn (@milofynn), Declan Mulligan (@waterbeverage), Orlando Mateo (@origino_), Rico Viera (@ricovbankz), Sebastian Carosi (@Chef_ Sebastian_Carosi), Owen Madigan (@owenmadigan) Jordan Hiraldo (@jordanhiraldo), Noah Gonzalez (@NoahGonzDraw), Calvin Schneider (https://www.calscallection.com/), Arian Walker (@tech_king), Chris Jackson (@cj_wolf8), Louis Desi (@lragency), Jewison Felipe, Stu Zakim (@stuzakim), Julian Majin (@julianmajin).

You can reach us at info@happymunkey.com with any questions, concerns, suggestions!