migreenstate.com GreenStateGreenState MICHIGAN FREE SUMMER 2022 How to Save Money on (withoutCannabisbuyingless of it) A Stoner’s Bucket List While High in Michigan Should You Mix Alcohol with Cannabis? Here’s what to consider before using alcohol and cannabis together. CANNABIS LIFESTYLE CULTURE
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www.MIGREENSTATE.com | 3Issue 7 | Summer 2022 Stay Up To Date! Sign up for the free Michigan Green State Newsletter. Scan QR code or go to MiGreenState.com for details. What’s Inside Summer 2022 | Issue 7 PUBLISHER Ed Fritz ADVERTISING Jessica Frey Tony Garant CONTRIBUTORS Amy KathrynJonElissaBryanAuroraShermanRaeShelmonEsherBeckerCannon COVER DESIGN Emalie Schuberg DESIGN & LAYOUT Emalie Schuberg MI Green State Magazine is designed and printed in Big Rapids, Michigan For advertising rates and information 989-839-4226call:or migreenstate@hearst.comemail: Michigan GreenState 5 18814 16 5 ............................ SHOULD YOU MIX ALCOHOL WITH CANNABIS? 6 ............................ PIECING TOGETHER HISTORY 8 ............................ HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON CANNABIS (WITHOUT BUYING LESS OF IT) 10 .......................... GRAND RAPIDS’ PHARMHOUSE WELLNESS ACHIEVES GOLD LEVEL STATUS 12 .......................... THEY SAY MARIJUANA IS STRONGER THESE DAYS 14 .......................... A STONER’S BUCKET LIST WHILE HIGH IN MICHIGAN 16 .......................... CANNABIS SLANG FROM 1920 TO 1975 18 .......................... LIFELONG MICHIGANDER USED HIS PAIN TO PERFECT HIS POT BY CREATING ‘REVOLUTIONARY’ MOBILE TRELIS 20 .......................... WHAT THC TO CBD RATIO IS RIGHT FOR ME? 22 .......................... HOW TO CURB YOUR MUNCHIES 23 .......................... WHERE’S THE HIGH EMOJI? 24 .......................... UPPER PENINSULA SITE OF CAMP CANNABIS FESTIVAL 27 .......................... COUPON PAGE
Welcome to the Summer edition of Michigan GreenState Magazine. The summer is off to a busy start for the Michigan cannabis scene. The industry is fast at work providing a backdrop for another Michigan summer. While the industry continues to adjust, grow and flex in 2022 we hope you will find the time to sit back, relax and enjoy the effort we put into this issue. Michigan GreenState Magazine continues to be thrilled to be a part of the Michigan cannabis culture and are excited to showcase the lifestyle as we see it. We appreciate all the support you’ve sent our way. We continue to enjoy contributing in whichever way we can to this new Michigan industry. As always, we strive to be worthy of your positivity and attention. Sincerely, ED FRITZ
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From The Publisher
HEARST
Around 12% of Americans regularly smoke cannabis, and many more consume alcohol. But what happens if you consume these two substances together? Is this drug combination safe? The effects of mixing alcohol with cannabis (or, “crossfading”) are hazey, to say the least. More research needs to be done on the subject before any conclusive health claims can be made. But when it comes to mixing cannabis with alcohol, there are a few things we know for sure. Here’s what to consider before using alcohol and cannabis together.
One of the best ways to ensure you have the best cannabis and alcohol experience is to consume the cannabis first. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, most people find it much more pleasurable to smoke or pop an edible first and drink later. The worst possible way to attempt this combination is to be incredibly drunk before trying to smoke. Generally, this will result in nausea and dizziness. If you want to smoke after drinking alcohol, you need to do it reasonably early. On the other hand, some people say using cannabis before drinking makes the effects of alcohol more pleasurable. You might even find you don’t need to drink as much to start feeling great.
Should you mix alcohol with cannabis? NETWORK MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
The one and only location 2221 Plainfield Ave NE #105, Grand Rapids, MI (616) 551-0591 Est. 1974 Grand Rapids Head shop and alternative lifestyle boutique. Locally sourced CBD, Kratom, & Crystals. Locally made art. Functional glass, e-rigs, and accessories.
EVERYTHING IN MODERATION
It’s always important to enjoy both cannabis and alcohol in moderation, but it’s especially important when you combine them. Many consumers report that if you drink while consuming cannabis, both are likely to hit you a lot harder. One beer while high might feel like two or even three beers. This means you need to be very careful with the combination as you can get very intoxicated quite quickly. If you’re set on using alcohol with cannabis, here’s a good rule of thumb: if you consume a lot of one, you should take it easy on the other. This is especially important if your tolerance for cannabis and/or alcohol is low.
Consuming cannabis while drinking is somewhat of a balancing act. If you overdo it with either substance, things could go wrong. But if you find the right balance, the effects can sometimes be quite pleasurable. With that said, even if you feel great on the night, this combination can cause awful hangovers. Both cannabis and alcohol dehydrate the body. This is a recipe for a hangover from hell when you wake up in the morning. The trick to enjoying this combination is not to overdo it. If you’re planning on drinking a lot, maybe save the cannabis for the morning after. If you do use alcohol and cannabis together, make sure you drink water throughout the night and stay hydrated as much as possible.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION Due to the lack of research on what mixing cannabis with alcohol actually does to the human body (and let’s not forget the terrible hangovers), it’s hard to heartily recommend combining cannabis and alcohol. While the combination is pleasurable for many users, there’s somewhat of a learning curve to consuming the proper amount, and there are plenty of ways it can go horribly wrong.
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ORDER MATTERS
WATCH THE HANGOVERS
Tom said his company goes above and beyond to stand out. Starz and Indica Puzzles are some of the only companies that will replace a puzzle piece at no cost. In addition, Tom said customers, at any time, can request to have their puzzles repainted for half the cost of a new puzzle. He said his quality products and service stands out to customers. “They come up to me and congratulate me all the time,” he said. As you might expect, the process to make these one-of-a-kind puzzles is quite intricate and requires knowledgeable artists. Tom emphasizes that his employees are more of a family than business assets. He said each and every person plays a pivotal role in bringing his ideas to life. Here are the hardworking people behind this puzzling new product (pun heavily intended).
Piecing together history:
Tom and his brother, Ken, were intro-
AURORA RAE MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
Left to right, Tom Cholewa, Danielle Cholewa-Street, James Boyd
PUZZLE MAKES ITS WAY INTO CANNABIS INDUSTRY
TOM “THE MASTERMIND” CHOLEWA
ONE-OF-A-KIND
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Tom Cholewa has loved puzzles since he was a young child. He played all kinds of them, indulging in the art of it with friends and family. It never dawned on him that decades later, he would be entering the legal cannabis industry by creating a kind of puzzle like no other in the world. Today, Tom successfully owns and operates Starz Puzzles and Indica Puzzles, the only puzzle manufacturer in the world that cuts the puzzles before printing the design on it.
Made of 1/4-inch maple wood, each puzzle piece is strong and long-lasting. The name of each company derives from the design within each puzzle – Starz Puzzles has one or several star shapes; Indica Puzzles has an indica leaf in Withit. the help of his nearly dozen-person team that he calls family, Tom’s puzzle company, based out of Elmhurst, Ill., a Chicago suburb, has made its way around the United States by way of trade shows and online orders, getting the unique product into people’s hands.
Kate, who joined Starz puzzles about three years ago, is in charge of placing images onto the puzzle after they are cut and inspected. Using Adobe products, Kate digitally formats the artwork to fit the puzzle. Then, she lines up the puzzle on a con veyer belt that will mechanically paint on the primer, white and design coat, in that order. She said the white coat is essential to ensure the design shows up properly.
duced to the business world in the early 80’s when they opened an advertising firm called, C&A Marketing, in the base ment of their parents’ home. From early on in their careers, Ken handled the administrative end of the company… and Tom created the art.
DANIELLE CHOLEWA-STREET
KATE NISBETT
HENRY MAGAROTTO Henry is in charge of using the laser cutter to cut the die out of maple wood – the only type of wood used for the Hepuzzles.connected with Tom about a year ago through a family friend. Henry’s skills as a graphic design freelancer fit right Oncein.the shop receives the wood from a Colorado mill, it is flattened – to avoid moisture or warping – put into the cutter, and then cut, by Henry, using Adobe Illustrator to display the shape of each Puzzledie.pieces are most often created based on Tom’s original designs, but Henry said he and his colleagues are occasionally able to custom make their Heown.said he enjoys working with wood and determining the best setting to use for each cutter. In addition to managing the laser cutter, he designs labels to be used in packaging.
CLYDE CAVADA Clyde is no fresh face to Tom’s shop. He joined C&A Marketing in the early 2000s
An assortment of Indica puzzles See Piecing Together on 26
KEN CHOLEWA
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“And then one day after my wife and I finished a 1000-piece puzzle, the next day, she wanted to do a puzzle and I say, ‘It’s spring, we can’t do one’ and that day I started designing my own puzzle,” he said. “So, at 64 years old, I started all over again.” On a blank, white napkin, he sketched his very first puzzle piece. From then on, he ran with it. He began researching and developing a product to his liking, with the help of his wife, Terry. Tragically, she passed away in January. “She was just with me all the way until the day she died,” he said. Now, with Terry in his heart and mind, Tom has channeled all his time and effort into building a puzzle brand he knows she would love. He’s spent the last few years perfecting his craft while sharing his knowledge with everyone he works with.
The brothers’ business grew to 30 employees, including Tom’s daughter, HeDanielle.retired and Danielle took over the advertising business. He was looking for activities to do; puzzles with his wife became a frequent practice.
Kate said the pandemic, while difficult to get through, was helpful to perfect their process and product.
Kate said printing on the puzzle after its cut, unlike other companies do, creates a uniquely fresh look. When puzzles are cut after the image is printed, Kate said the difference is noticeable. “You get this kind of yellowing and it’s hard to get out,” she said. “Oftentimes, you’ll see kind of like a burn line almost, on the very edge of the puzzle piece.”
JAMES “FLASH”
BOYD James, one of the newest members, met Tom by total happenstance. The woman who was like a second mom to James passed away in January. Her hus band, a father figure to James, connect ed with Tom in hopes of bonding over their shared grief. James was introduced to Tom, and they instantly had a connection. “(Tom’s) like ‘You know, you look pretty cool, I got to show you something’ and then he showed me the Indica line’,” he said. “I looked at him and I’m like ‘Dude, this stuff is sick’ and he looks at me and goes ‘Sick?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, that means it’s the coolest stuff I’ve ever Withinseen’. two weeks of meeting, the Wis consin native visited Tom at his studio. “He showed me how to do some things and I’ve been with him ever since,” James Together,said.they have attended nearly 10 trade shows in under five months. With Tom hoping to retire in a few years, James is preparing to fill his shoes.
Operating a business together has kept Ken and Tom close – physically –for much of their lives. But they have remained connected in other ways too, even when apart. “We go into the military. We both go our own directions,” he said. “We both come back, we both grow families. But throughout that time, we still say Whileconnected.”Kenstill works with Danielle on C&A Marketing, it was only natural for he and Tom to collaborate on the puz zle “We’vecompany.worked together, and we work together well,” he said. “And it’s basically because we are two different people, and we are in two different areas of work, and one does not take precedent over the other.”
Danielle graduate from college in Spain in 2009. After being unable to find a job in the country of her alma mater, she accepted an offer from Tom to tempo rarily work at C&A Marketing. “And then it turned out that I really liked it,” she said. Now, in addition to operating C&A Mar keting with her uncle, she plays a large role in both Starz and Indica puzzles. Her job duties include obtaining art to use on the puzzles, packaging the prod ucts and doing inventory, and assisting customers with their orders. Danielle said she uses social media and licensing agencies to find artists and art. In addition, she tries to do promotions and giveaways with users who have a large following on social media. She said Starz and Indica puzzles has worked with and used art from over 30 Whilecreators.Danielle is working to secure de signs for the puzzles, others in the shop are in the process of preparing the die –puzzle pieces – for manufacturing.
How
Good news: we have answers. We brainstormed some ideas, did a little research, and talked to Alex Levine, Chief Development Officer at Eaze, one of California’s largest legal cannabis companies. Fusing together all of these forces of knowledge, we came up with a comprehensive six-step guide to saving money on cannabis without compromising the mass of your stash. Here’s how to save money on weed in 2022: 1. BUY IN BULK This tip might get you the most bang for your buck. Medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries will often give consumers a price break for purchasing larger amounts of cannabis. An ounce of cannabis flower, for instance, will usually be 10-20% cheaper than the same amount of weed purchased in small amounts over Levinetime.says the consumer isn’t the only one who benefits from bulk purchases. “Bulk purchases use less packaging, so it’s a lot less material and there is a lot less labor that goes into it,” Levine told GreenState. “So from the dispensary’s perspective, there’s incentive to encourage people to buy in bulk.” Levine added that buying cannabis in bulk is also better for the environment, since the minimal packaging creates less waste. So, between being better for the earth, better for your local dispensary, and better for your wallet, buying weed in bulk seems like a win-win-win situation to us. to save money on cannabis (without buying less of it):
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ELISSA ESHER MICHIGAN GREEN STATE 6 WAYS TO GET HIGH ON A BUDGET
Between supply chain issues and a global pandemic, now is a tough time to budget for weed. According to a report published last week by New Leaf Data Services, the average price of cannabis in the U.S. is $1,497 a pound, and due to lack of federal regulation, marijuana prices vary wildly depending on where you’re buying it. For recreational consumers, buying less weed can make for a big change in lifestyle. For medical users, it could have serious health implications. So how do you save money on weed, without buying less of it?
Bottom line: Just because you’re pinching pennies doesn’t always mean you need to roll a smaller joint or for sake your nightly toke. In many cases, budgeting is about shopping smarter, not less.
Of course, if you want to buy in bulk, you’ll have to get good at storing can nabis so it lasts. More on that later.
In 2021, an Emerald Magazine re port showed the cost of weed in Wash ington, D.C., a city where recreational cannabis is legal but dispensaries are few and far between, was three times higher than in Oregon, a state where recreational cannabis is legal and the dispensaries are plenty. Ok, so why isn’t everyone pilgrimaging to Oregon to buy weed? Well, since cannabis is legal under federal law, transporting it across state lines is a felony, even if you’re just driving it from one state where it’s legal to Butanother.cannabis prices are affected by region, too. If you live in a rural area, try shopping at a dispensary somewhere close to other dispensaries in your state. Competition drives down prices, so a dispensary in a city will usually keep their prices competitive with those surrounding them, while the only dis pensary for 1,000 miles is more likely to jack up prices simply because it owns the local market.
5. GROW YOUR OWN WEED (IF YOU’RE A PRO) Similarly to growing vegetables in your backyard, growing your own cannabis can be an effective way to save some money—but there’s a catch. This tip only works if you’re really, really good at Cannabisit. is extremely difficult to grow, and even more difficult to grow in large quantities. It requires several additional expenses many growers don’t consider. For what most small-scale growers will spend keeping their plants alive, you could probably buy twice the amount of harvested cannabis at a local dispen sary—and that’s assuming the plants yield at all. First, there’s the cost of time. Growing cannabis is a multi-month investment. It can take 12-15 weeks for a cannabis clone to bud, and even longer if you start with seeds. Then, there’s the cost of sustaining the plant. Just the nutrients and soil mix re quired to keep a cannabis plant healthy will cost more than a small amount of cannabis flower at your local dispensa ry. You should also factor in the electric bills you’ll rack up from the grow room. Levine said the right reason to start growing your own weed is to pick up a new hobby or try creating something new, not to save money. “You’d have to be a phenomenal grow er to make it (growing cannabis) a way to save money,” Levine said. “Consis tently good yields would guarantee a profit, but that’s unlikely. If you’re not a pro, the only reason I can see to grow your own cannabis would be as a fun hobby or if there’s a certain unique strain you want to produce, but not to save money.” That said, if you are a pro grower regularly harvesting cannabis flower, smoking or making your own edibles from your homegrow is, of course, a major PHOTO:money-saver.Youngman home growing cannabis on March 09, 2011 in Berlin, Germany.... News Photo - Getty Images
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PHOTO: Sorting and packaging mari juana in the Kindman grow house in Denver,... News Photo - Getty Images
6. SHOP DISPENSARIES LOCATED NEAR OTHER DISPENSARIES
WWW.HANGOVERHOPS.COM
3. CHANGE WHAT CANNABIS PROD UCTS YOU USE Spending too much on weed? You might get more return on your invest ment by switching to a new method of Asconsumption.mostofus are aware, there’s more than one way to get weed into your system. You can smoke it, vaporize it, eat it in gummies or baked goods, etc., etc., etc. There are even topical THC and CBD creams that absorb into your skin. With all these options, it’s easy for buy ers to become allured by the newest, trendiest product. As a general rule, though, Levine says the less processed the product is, the cheaper it will usu ally “Dollarbe. for dollar, gram for gram, flower is generally the most cost-effective,” Levine said. “Every time a manufacturer is making edibles or vape products they have to extract it, so there’s extra labor involved and the materials cost more.” It’s like buying groceries instead of going out to eat: when you want to save money, buy the ingredients, not the meal.
4. MAKE YOUR STASH LAST Remember what we said about buying in bulk? If you’re going to do that, you’ll need to know how to store your weed so it lasts longer. Otherwise, all that ex tra cannabis you bought will look and taste nasty by the time you get to it. Oxygen is the enemy of cannabis. To keep your weed fresh and flavorful, you’ll want to keep your stash some where air can’t find it. Levine recommends storing your weed in an air-tight container. Glass jars with air-tight seals work well for this, and there are also vacuum-sealed canna bis containers available for purchase Here’sonline.a quick tip for cannabis storage: stop using plastic bags. “Ziplock bags will give your weed a pastic-y taste,” Levine said. “And even though they look like they are air-tight, the material they are made of is porous. That’s why, if you leave weed in a zip lock bag, you’ll start to smell the weed around the house pretty soon.”
Since the cannabis market is not yet federally regulated, the price of canna bis varies dramatically based on supply and demand, both for recreational and medical cannabis.
2. SIGN UP FOR DISPENSARY NEWS LETTERS AND LOYALTY PROGRAMS You know that newsletter from your local dispensary that sits in your inbox every week? Start reading that. Regularly checking emails and SMS notifications from your favorite dispen saries is one of the best ways to invest your time if you want to save big on weed. Since cannabis companies are restricted from large-scale advertising opportunities in many markets, most dispensaries and cannabis delivery services fully rely on these channels to alert customers to upcoming discounts and special offers. And if you’re part of a dispensary’s loyalty program, you may receive free or discounted products and other perks based on previous purchases.
Wellness
Wellness opened for medical sales on the West side of Grand Rapids in March 2020. Does that date seem familiar? Probably, because five days after swinging open their doors, the state shut everything down, and Pharmhouse switched to curbside and delivery service. Currently, you can stop by for in-person shopping, but only until 2 p.m. Otherwise, you can order online and come pick up, or just stop by, and the staff will be right out. I found them to be extremely helpful with questions, and also very quick.
AMY SHERMAN MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
Grand Rapids’ Pharmhouse achieves gold level status
10 | www.MIGREENSTATE.com Summer 2022| MIGreenState Located in a small green house in Grand Rapids lies an unassuming little dispensary that just completed the work to achieve a special gold level status from the state of Michigan. Pharmhouse Wellness is the first Michigan dispensary to attain this ranking. “It was very special,” said Pharmhouse Wellness Marketing Director Megan Smith about achieving gold status through Michigan’s Social Equity All-Star program for cannabis licensees. “A lot of hard work paid off with that recogThenition.”All-Star program was implemented in May 2022 as a program through the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency. According to the CRA website, the original organization was formed to promote and encourage participation in the cannabis industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities.” Through the organization, licensees are encouraged to also be “proactive in their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives” as well. The program is open to any and all Michigan cannabis license holders and is starting to pick up some steam since its adoption. “It’s a recognition for achieving a certain level in our Social Equity All-Star program,” said David Harns, public relations manager for the Cannabis Regulatory Agency. “Any of our licensees could achieve this status by completing the parts of this program to achieve this Andrecognition.”whileanyone can participate, just one business has achieved the gold level so far, and that’s Pharmhouse PharmhouseWellness. owner Casey Kornoelje has had a long-term relationship with cannabis, having first grown it at home when he was a teenager in Alaska. After finding his grow in a basement closet, his parents promptly called the police on him, since it wasn’t legal at the time. And while he did receive a felony, don’t worry, he and his parents have a great relationship now. His mom even works for Pharmhousehim.
SMALLBUSINESSSPOTLIGHT
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One fun community event that had a huge turnout was their habitat box project, where guests could choose between a bat, bird or bee box to decorate and distribute along the Kent County Trails system, which is close to the dispensary. “It was really nice to involve the com munity in this way,” said Smith.
“I don’t know any other locally owned dispensary in the area,” Smith said. “And we are the ones that got this. We don’t come from corporate money. Casey is a caregiver, and he puts everything he gets out of it back into it. It should really make people realize that we can do this too. It says a Alllot.”adult licensed marijuana facilities must show that they have a social equity plan in place, this was written in the legalization bill that was passed in 2018. While there is no le gal requirement to participate in the All-Star program, joining in can lead to recognition for a business’s efforts in this field. What’s really cool about this program, is that each dispensary can tailor its social equity plan to fit exactly their business and its goals. “We don’t grade their plans,” said Harns. “Each licensee has the ability to determine what is important to them. Some businesses might be super small, and their social equity plans might look very different than big ones. The level at which they decide to implement programs is up to Whilethem.”Pharmhouse is currently the only gold level member, there are about 20 Michigan dispensaries that have achieved bronze status. Each level, bronze, silver, and gold, require that the dispensary publish various parts of their social equity plan on the CRA website, and confirm that it is being implemented. The difference between the levels is what is being published. For bronze, you need to show your basic plan, for silver you must publish your corporate spend ing plan, and for gold, you must also publish your community reinvest ment plan as well. Pharmhouse Wellness is the only independently owned and operat ed cannabis provisionary center in Grand Rapids. While it can be hard to stand out amongst some of the large, corporate places scattered across this metro area, Pharmhouse does, and for all the right reasons. Giving back to the community is just a part of Pharmhouse’s nature and has been since the beginning. Smith explained that being involved with everything from local artists, to putting together special events for their customers and neighbors, par ticipating in area clean-ups, working on beautification projects, collecting school supplies for local kids, and even running food drives and do nations are all part of Pharmhouse’s “Casey,wheelhouse.within reason, kind of just lets us put on whatever event comes to mind,” she said.
One personal give-back that Pharmhouse has undertaken is their “Felons Feeding Families” program, which they’ve done around the Thanksgiving holiday. Purchasing and giving away over 100 turkeys, as well as running a canned food drive, Kornoelje (don’t forget, a felon) and Pharmhouse help make the holidays a little bit brighter for those in their Inneighborhood.caseyouwere
The social equity work that they do is extremely important to Pharmhouse. “Putting money back into the com munity that we want to see improve, we want to see the impact on the space around us for everybody’s ben efit,” said Smith.
“It was nice to go out and celebrate with the first people to achieve this,” See Gold Level on 26
The dispensary is located on Wealthy Street on the west side of GR, just a few blocks from the 131 highway, in a residential area that Smith de scribes as “neglected for a while”. She explained that “it’s been forgotten for so long that we just want to spruce it up for everybody.”
wondering, yes, felons can get a dispensary license, at the discretion of the state, as long as their conviction does not involve distributing to a minor. In fact, if your conviction was marijuana-related, you actually can get discounts on applications and licensing fees.
The most common psychotic effects caused by THC intake include panic attacks, memory loss, and hallucinations. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming cannabis, you may want to consider either using CBD after you take a hit, or finding a product with a lower THC concentra-
12 | www.MIGREENSTATE.com Summer 2022| MIGreenState The cannabis of today is, quite literally, not your parents’ weed. An overwhelming amount of data shows that the potency of cannabis has been steadily on the rise in the U.S. since 1990, meaning the amount of THC in what we consume today is much higher than what the flower children were smoking. In the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, raw cannabis flower contained an average of just 2% THC or less. (For context, CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are federally legal because that amount is generally not enough to get a person high.) Then, between 1990 and 1995, the average concentration of THC in cannabis rose to 4%, and shot up to 17% between 1995 and 2017 as growers began harvesting new strains promising more intense psychoactive effects. For dabs, oils, edibles, shatter, and other cannabis concentrates, the THC concentration can be as high as 95%. Now, the cannabis we consume is, on average, over 8x more potent than it was before the ’90s. This isn’t a new story. The tobacco and alcohol industries have increased sales over time by incorporating higher and higher concentrations of psychoactive substances into their products. But while nicotine and alcohol are both proven to be addictive and have virtually no health benefits, the lack of research on cannabis makes it difficult to judge whether high potency in cannabis products is dangerous. So, should we be worried?
According to Dr. Kenneth Weinberg, Chief Medical Officer at Cannabis Doctors of New York, the problem isn’t necessarily how much THC is in cannabis products. Instead, it’s how little CBD there is. “It’s all about the ratio of THC to CBD in the strain,” Weinberg said. “The more THC you have, the less CBD tends to be in Weinbergit.”
explained that CBD acts to mitigate the psychoactive effects of THC at a cellular level in the brain. It’s why people often use CBD after they “We’re seeing products on the market lately that have a 100 to 1 ratio of THC to CBD, when 20 to 1 used to be normal. At that point, you’re in danger of experiencing psychotic symptoms because you have almost no CBD to balance you out.”
They say marijuana is stronger these days. ELISSA ESHER MICHIGAN GREEN STATE BUT EXACTLY HOW MUCH STRONGER IS TODAY’S CANNABIS?
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But there are some benefits to having such potent products available. Yes, sea soned cannabis users will experience a better buzz after using them, but there’s also anecdotal evidence suggesting they could help with serious medical conditions that low-THC products aren’t strong enough to affect. Children with severe forms of epilepsy are finding relief through highly potent canna bis products, and the same goes for cancer patients looking to curb nausea. Though much more research needs to be done on the subject, it’s even been suggested that high levels of THC could combat tumor cell proliferation, meaning the consumption of highly potent cannabis may be able to slow the progression of cancer. Weinberg said the decision of whether to use highly potent cannabis for med ical purposes ultimately comes down to how much THC you are comfortable taking, and what alternatives are avail able to you. “There have been some reports of peo ple who have done very well on highly potent products, and I’ve even sug gested them for cancer patients who see me, or for people who have trouble with sleep. But I always recommend starting with a product with a low THC to CBD ratio, like 2 to 1,” Weinberg said. “That way, you can experience some medical benefit, without having to be anxious about the psychoactive effects, and build from there if you and your healthcare provider feel that the bene fits outweigh the cost.”
Buttion.while these unwanted side effects will make you temporarily miserable, they generally dissipate in about 24 hours. For teens, though, the effects of highly potent THC may be more long“Theterm.people we should be most worried about are children using these cannabis products with such high levels of THC,” Weinberg said. “I think there’s enough evidence out there suggesting THC can interfere with the development of the brain to be very concerned about that, especially when the research is telling us teens are using cannabis more and more each year.”
Elissa Esher is Assistant Editor at Green State. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Guardian, Brooklyn Paper, Religion Unplugged, and Iridescent Women. Send inquiries and tips to elli.esher@hearst.com.
BRYAN SHELMON MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
So, after the last few puffs of your Pineapple Express joint, check out some of these fun things to do in Michigan while high:
With 158 acres of landscaped gardens decorated by world-class sculpture masterpieces, the Frederick Meijer Sculpture Garden is one of the best places to see art while stoned. Neatly paved pathways snake their way through an outdoor display of art, revealing new works around every corner. Take a self-guided tour and let your wandering mind come up with unique interpretations of abstract sculptures. However, a guided train tour takes you on an. Express trip around the grounds while detailing that this art collection holds gems like the Davinci Horse, Keith Haring, and Auguste Rodin. Get ready for an international ‘trip’ when you enjoy your high at Belle Isle. Stop by your favorite dispensary to grab a few edibles to include in your picnic and set off to this urban island oasis. The grassy lawn at Sunset Point gives one of the most spectacular views of the iconic Detroit skyline on one side of the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on the Onceother. the edibles kick in, set off on a walk around the 5.4-mile loop past architectural wonders like the Belle Isle Aquarium designed by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, and the James Scott Memorial Fountain.
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Voted Best in the U.S., the Detroit Riverwalk attracts 3.5 million visitors every year and is excellent for walking when you’re high. You’ll have mind-boggling views like peering up at the Renaissance Center, the tallest building in Michigan and seeing the Canadian flag waving at you from across the Detroit River.
A pre-rolled Sativa joint always gets you in the mood for being around a lively atmosphere, and the Detroit Riverwalk never disappoints. With things to see, do, and eat, it’s a one-stop shop for Michigan stoners.
“Michigan is an awesome state to be a stoner in.” A quote by Tommy Chong was painted larger-than-life on the walls of the Plan B Dispensary waiting room. It was a busy Saturday, so I had plenty of time to ponder how a guy that’s indeed smoked some of the dankest buds around the world can recognize the magic of getting stoned in the Great Lake State. But the truth is, Michigan is a state for all types of weed smokers—those who like to get high and chill, smoke and explore nature, get stoned and look at art, etc.
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Instead, stay in the comfort of your car and enjoy the latest blockbusters screening at the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theater. It’s as if Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theater was made for stoners. You only have to make it to the 2,500-car parking lot, and the theater creates a unique viewing experience with nine massive screens—it’s the largest in the US! You’ll get to see back-to-back films with time for a munchie run at the concession stand between movies.
Smoking an eighth of Runtz in Holland, MI, will be your first-class ticket to the Netherlands without even leaving the state. This unique town is inspired by Danish culture and is quite the ‘trip’ when high. Visit Centennial Park to frolic through colorful fields of more than 48,000 tulip flowers. The best time to visit is in May for the annual Tulip Festival, when you’ll see the vibrant sights of pink, peach, yellow, red, and multi-colored tulips that will surely would have cost the equivalent of pounds of Marijuana.
Those Michigan smokers who prefer late-night sessions can experience one of the world’s most marvelous sights—the Northern Lights. The mysterious lights of reds, greens, yellows, and other spectrum colors shimmer over the ‘Mitten’ if you know where to look.
The only thing better than seeing the Northern Lights is seeing them while high. Just like you’re witty enough to find obscure smoke spots away from people, you’ll need to find a viewing spot away from city light pollution for the Aurora Borealis to reveal themselves. In the Upper Peninsula, Copper Harbor on the shores of Lake Superior is a popular place. Even the Lower Peninsula has the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City to see views of the lights with the Mackinac Bridge. No need to worry about being paranoid about smelling like weed in a movie theater.
Imagine a place where horse-drawn carriages trot the M-185 instead of cars. The Grand Hotel standing as majestically as it did when it was built in the 19th century. Archaeological sites like Arch Rock displaying centuries of history through erosion. Get stoned and climb aboard Shepler’s Ferry, which will transport you through time to Mackinac Island—a place that preserves its charm with historical landmarks and island lifestyle. You can even satisfy your munchy cravings with famous Mackinac Island fudge.
PerfectVacay!
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Trust me — Lake Michigan looks more like an ocean than a lake when you’re high. This massive body of water extends infinitely towards the horizon and meets at the coast with soft golden sand, smoothed by the Marijuanatide. plus the beach is always a recipe for fun. Lake Michigan is lined with excellent beach destinations like the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and Grand Haven State Park. Swim in the water or sunbathe on the shore. As a bonus, you’ll get to see 44 of the 129 total lighthouses in Michigan!
thesecheckingDefout! one instead
4. ALICE B. TOKLAS BROWNIES
2. MARY WARNER
This relatively normal name was used in the ‘30’s as a way to say “marijuana” without really saying it. It sounds weird to us now, but in the cadence of the day, “Mary Warner” probably sounded a lot more like “marijuana” than it would today. You may have already guessed it, but Mary Warner was the Mary who inspired Mary Jane, as well as a long line of other Mary-related nicknames for weed and the all-encompassing term “Aunt Mary.”
16 | www.MIGREENSTATE.com Summer 2022| MIGreenState Most cannabis enthusiasts will say a bud by any other name will smell as sweet. But what if its name is Nixon? Weed has a lot of nicknames. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of cannabis slang (yes, that’s a thing,) there are currently over 400 synonyms for marijuana in the English language – and cannabis experts say that list should be twice as long. But language changes over time. We no longer call tea “noodle juice,” or say we’re “zozzled” when we’re very drunk (much as we may want to.) So, we asked the question: What cannabis slang has been lost to bygone eras? Turns out, your grandparents might have been more creative than you when it comes to naming reefer. We pulled some we thought were simply the bee’s knees.
From Muggles to Rainy Day Woman, is the Weirdest Cannabis Slang From 1920 to 1975 ESHER GREEN STATE
It shouldn’t be hard to figure out why this was slang for cannabis. One of many hilarious terms listed in a 1943 TIME Magazine article outlining popular terminology for marijuana, this antiquated nickname references the giggly high many experience on sativa, or similarly energizing strains. Other nicknames mentioned in the article were goof-butts, love weed, and joy-smokes. We’d like to see Snoop Dogg use one of these in his next hit.
3. GIGGLE-SMOKES
Another woman with a dope name is Alice B. Toklas, San Francisco-born writer and partner to Gertrude Stein. After bravely including a hash brownie recipe in her now-famous cookbook, this O.G.
1. MUGGLES Contrary to the modern association, this word had nothing to do with non-magical beings in the ‘20’s. Instead, it was a nickname for marijuana cigarettes—one most commonly used by jazz musicians. Lifelong cannabis-enthusiast Louis Armstrong even produced a recording called Muggles, which some suspect he played high. We certainly hope he did. No one really knows where the nickname came from, but historian Michael Aldrich believes it may have derived from the word “smuggle.”
This
ELISSA
MICHIGAN
6. NIXON When the British sang Yankee Doodle to mock the revolutionaries in the 1770’s, the American minute-men adopted it as their fight song. In the 1970’s, when Nixon waged the war on drugs, canna bis-enthusiasts adopted his name as slang for weed – low-quality, nasty weed, of course.
www.MIGREENSTATE.com | 17Issue 7 | Summer 2022 5254 West Wilson Rd Clio, MI 48420 810-730-2590 jojofarmsmichigan@gmail.com @jojofarmsmichigan Organic Fertilizer that will produce higher and healthier crop yields the traditional way. 100% Pure Worm Castings & Crawlers! canna-chef quickly became a synonym for edibles in the ‘50’s.
5. RAINY DAY WOMAN Yes, like the Bob Dylan song. Though Dylan has been mysterious in regards to what this song actually means, its release at the rise of cannabis culture in 1966 and its line “Everybody must get stoned” made it an instant pot anthem. By the end of the same year, TIME published an article confirming the Rainy Day Woman was being used as slang for a Injoint.reference to the song’s popularity among cannabis users, Dylan told his audience at Royal Albert Hall, “It’s not a ‘drug song.’ It’s just vulgar.” Still, if you multiply the numbers in the song’s full title (Rainy Day Woman #12 and 35) you get 420, so you tell us.
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Born and raised in West Michigan, Dave Fortenbacher has spent much of his career working in the corporate world. He never imagined that one day marijuana would be at the helm of his work. “Cannabis in my circle, up until it became legal here in Michigan, was kind of a taboo,” he said. Today, he is the owner – and inventor – of Webbgro, a mobile growing trellis designed to save time, ease maintenance and increase yields. It is the only mobile trellis of its kind on the market, according to Dave. The circular design is sold in two materials, PVC pipes for small-scale grows –less expensive – and steel for large-scale grows – more costly. Dave said wheels on the bottom allow for growers to move the trellis with ease whether it’s to check the plant for bugs, adjust the light exposure or remove it from a tent. It can also be extended Accordingupward. to its website, Webbgro increases yields by 30%, reduces maintenance time by 75% and reduces expenses by 57%. He came up with the unique trellis design after a lifetime of injuries – and marijuana legalization in 2008 – led him to cannabis. Here’s his story.
Dave’s journey When Dave was young, he had what became the first of many bad accidents. He was 16 years old when he hit a dog on his motorcycle going 55 miles per “Ihour.had 28 stitches in my head and all sorts of other things,” he said. In the 2000s, he had two life-altering Inaccidents.2004,he fell 10-feet off a truck while doing work for an asphalt company he owned. Landing on concrete, the left side of his body was shattered. “Left hip, leg, arm, elbow,” he said. “A lot of rebuilding, a lot of steel, a lot of screws, a lot of wire.” While Dave is able to walk and function today, he said he still deals with frequent aches and pains. In 2008, another, almost unimaginable, accident happened when he owned a used his perfect his pot by creating
pain to
Lifelong Michigander
‘revolutionary’ mobile trellis AURORA RAE MICHIGAN GREEN STATE WEBBGRO MAXIMIZES YIELD, EASES MAINTENANCE, REDUCES COST
After creating the design, he reached out to manufacturers in India that began making screens for the product out of polyester. “Then COVID hit,” he said. “Every thing stopped.” Since then, Dave was able to find manufacturers closer to home. Now, all the products are made in the USA. Appealing to all Dave said he is still navigating and understanding the fast-paced industry that is still not accepted by many. He said Webbgro is currently rebranding to introduce products that are more welcomed by the general public. “We’re adding more products… because we can market (them) openly – without having to worry about whether we’re going to get shut down because we mention the word cannabis – and we’re us ing them as kind of a leader to the actual website for the Webbgro’s.”
“That’s why there’s two B’s in Webb gro,” he said.
Dave said Webbgro is partnering with Banner Harvest CBD, an Illi nois-based farm, to sell their prod uct line. It will be up and running by the end of August. All of Banner Harvest products are farm to table meaning grown and formulated in-house, from scratch. Webbgro sells other products such as air pots – in three sizes – light meters, saucer trays and other accessories that help maximize and ease plant growth.
“My wife would come down and she would say ‘How’s my naked farmer doing?’”
Dave made a tent for the trellis de sign so it can “stick out the bottom of the tent”. He said that increases its mobility without having to re move the trellis from the tent. It also allows growers to have more control over individual plants. This can be helpful for breeding and especially when there is a need for Howisolation.NakedFarmer420 came to be Having grown marijuana now for over a decade, Dave has made some adjustments to his routine. “I go in those tents and they’re real ly hot,” he said. “So, I literally would strip down, go in naked, and take care of the girls.”
“For me and what I needed was mainly to be able to settle down at night because I did have the aches and pains,” he said. Upon trying it for the first time since he was a teenager, he realized the plant soothed his pain enough for him to sleep at night. It also helped him avoid pharmaceutical “(Cannabis)drugs.
It became his mission to find an easier way to grow. Developing Webbgro
has really kind of kept me from taking harder stuff,” he said. He started growing cannabis immediately after. It not only saved him money, but also allowed him to control what he ingested. Even though cannabis was helping him medicinally, the growing pro cess created obstacles for him. “Through that journey, I found that I couldn’t get around the plant, I couldn’t get underneath them,” he said. “The bending and the kneeling and those sorts of things just didn’t really work for me.”
“And that’s what Webbgro does,” he Davesaid. said the name was developed out of a need for a toll-free number that would represent the product.
www.MIGREENSTATE.com | 19Issue 7 | Summer 2022 company that manufactured crack sealant – the black lines you see on the road. Dave was one of three manufacturers in the world that created it. A machine he was working on one day malfunctioned. “It blew hydraulic fluid all over me,” he said. “That was on fire, and it caught me on fire.” Yet again, the left side of his body was badly wounded.
Now, it’s his YouTube name. He said because his channel is cannabis-fo cused all the time, he is able to talk about and advertise Webbgro with out negatively affecting the brand or its website. See Webbgro on 26
“From my groin down to my knee is all skin graft, and then my left hand to a little bit above the elbow is skin graft,” he said. Dave has preserved against all odds. “God is good,” he said. “It wasn’t my Findingtime.” cannabis After the accidents, he was in a lot of pain. Narcotics seemed to be the main remedy people in his situation turned to. But he declined. “And that can be a problem be cause when you’re trying to heal, that medication is important to the healing process.” Dave said his addictive personal ity led him to refrain from “doing as much of that kind of stuff as Then,possible.”medical marijuana became legal in November of 2008. Dave was quickly on board to try such a natural “Cannabistreatment.isgiven to us by God,” he said. “It’s not a man-made prod uct… for me to use it as a pain reliver made sense.”
“There’s nobody out there that has a product that you can grow a cannabis plant in, be able to drain it all the way through its life, be able to have complete access… and still have it held and supported like it should be.” He said he knew immediately what he wanted to do. He purchased a big metal ring and string and began weaving it into a spider web Whendesign.the branches are supported by a trellis, Dave said the bud grows bigger because they are not trying to support themselves and they can put that energy towards the flower.
He quickly started doing trial and error to see what worked and helped him grow. He built PVC racks, experimented with trellis’, and put his plants on wheels. As he began to drain the plants more and better understand what they needed, he began to get better yields. Finally, it dawned on him.
HOW DOES THE RATIO OF THC TO CBD AFFECT YOUR HIGH? Here’s the simple version – THC is the psychoactive molecule in the cannabis plant. In general, the more THC you have in a cannabis product, the higher you are likely to become. CBD has many of the same medicinal benefits of THC, but generally without the psychological effect. Though some CBD users experience wooziness or drowsiness while using the product, very few report feeling “high” in the sense that traditional cannabis users do. But there are benefits to both CBD and THC to CBD ratio is
What
While you may have an idea of what strain you prefer, you might not be aware of the compound ratio that makes it work for you. According to some medical cannabis experts, you Theirshould.reasoning, essentially, is this – The more cannabis is bred and sold without regulation in the United States, the more difficult it becomes for growers to be consistent in their grow practices for certain strains. Now that humankind has been breeding cannabis into various hybrid strains for over 300 years, many users are reporting inconsistent effects. One “Crouching Tiger Hidden Alien” product may have you bouncing off the walls, while the same strain may make you drowsy when purchased from another seller. Many cannabis users report anxiety and paranoia from cannabis strains intended to induce calm, while some people use strains intended to be energizing as sleep aids. Choosing a cannabis product based on its actual THC to CBD ratio rather than what strain it claims to be may offer buyers some more assurance. “I really wish more people would buy cannabis based on its chemotype (the chemicals in the plant) rather than strain,” Dr. Leigh Vinocur, a Maryland-based cannabis clinician, told GreenState. “Strains have been so mixed up over the years that I don’t even believe pure Sativa and pure Indica strains exist in the way they used to. If you know exactly what amount of CBD and THC you’re looking for, I think that’s more reliable..”
right for me? ELISSA ESHER MICHIGAN GREEN STATE WE ASKED HEALTH EXPERTS HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CANNABIS PRODUCT
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According to Dr. Kenneth Weinberg, Chief Medical Officer at Cannabis Doctors of New York, a 20 to 1 ratio of THC to CBD used to be normal in cannabis products. Today, many products have a 100 to 1 ratio of THC to CBD.
In many states, sellers are required to list the ratio of CBD to THC on the product label. Most cannabis products on the market have high amounts of THC and very little CBD, so you may have to do some hunting if you want to find a THC-dominant product that still has a good amount of CBD in it.
Even amateur cannabis consumers have an idea of what strain suits them best. These cannabis types indicate how much THC, CBD, and other compounds are in a given cannabis plant, and they often take on whimsical titles like “Purple Monkey Balls.” Some cannabis strains are better for when you want to fall asleep, and others are so energizing you could use them as pre-workout.
“I have people start with fast-acting products like cannabis products that let you immediately feel the effect,” Wein berg said. “I have them try a few differ ent products of different CBD to THC ratios, all at the lowest possible dose so that it won’t be too overwhelming in the Weinbergbeginning.”then asks his patients to See Ratio on 27
DISCOVER WHAT CBD TO THC RATIO WORKS BEST FOR YOU
FOR SENIORS: CBD-DOMINANT
Because everyone is different, no one strain or THC to CBD ratio can perfectly predict what effects cannabis will have on your body. Weinberg said that for every time one THC to CBD ratio seems to generally work for a given condition, the number of exceptions is “humbling.”
THC for any kind of user, which is why the two compounds are commonly mixed. When CBD is mixed into a THC product, it can mitigate the psycho active effects of THC, creating what is called the “entourage effect.” The more CBD in a THC product, the less intense the psychoactive effects of the product should be. Of course, because every person’s en docannabinoid system (i.e. the bodily system that processes THC and CBD when they enter the bloodstream) is different, each person will respond to the entourage effect differently, but the intent is there.
Like much in the cannabis world, the answer isn’t simple, and it needs a lot more research before anything definite can be said. Still, there is anecdotal evidence sug gesting certain goals, medical con ditions, and age groups will have the best experience with products heavy in CBD, while others will be served better by THC-dominant products. We asked cannabis health experts Dr. Leigh Vinocur and Dr. Kenneth Wein berg what THC to CBD ratios they recommend for five common types of cannabis users For those struggling with mental health (anxiety, depression, PTSD): High CBD Some research shows that CBD binds to some of the same parts of the brain as common antipsychotics. It would make sense, since, while THC can sometimes trigger paranoia, many users report a sense of calm generated by CBD and often use it to decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. For this reason, Weinberg and Vinocur usually recommend CBD-dominant cannabis products to clients struggling with mental health, as a supplement to antipsychotics and talk therapy. Vinocur added that CBD-dominant products are her first recommenda tion for patients struggling with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)- not just because of CBD’s calming ef fects, but also because it might affect “There’sdreams. a growing amount of research showing CBD helps improve sleep quality, which some people say helps with nightmares,” Vinocur said. “Night mares are one of the biggest challeng es for patients with PTSD.”
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HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH THC TO CBD RATIO IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
FOR CANCER PATIENTS: HIGH THC Cancer can’t be treated with cannabis, but many of the effects of cancer can. Medical marijuana is often prescribed to mitigate the nausea that often results from chemo treatments, as well as loss of appetite. For cancer patients struggling with these symptoms, Vinocur generally prescribes cannabis products high in THC. It’s THC, not CBD, that is the culprit for the infamous “munchies” that often come with cannabis consumption, so consuming high amounts of THC is an effective way to get in the mood to eat. It’s also been shown to significant ly decrease nausea for many chemo patients.
FOR THOSE WITH CHRONIC PAIN: HALF AND HALF (DEPENDING ON LIFESTYLE) Vinocur says she generally recom mends products with a THC to CBD ra tio closer to 50/50 for patients battling chronic pain – not necessarily because it’s more effective, but because these patients usually can’t afford to experi ence psychoactive effects from highTHC cannabis all day. “THC is usually more effective for pain management, but these patients have jobs and need to function throughout the day,” Vinocur said. “I usually recom mend half and half products for them. Ideally, the CBD will cancel out the psy choactive effects, but the pain-relieving effects of the CBD and THC combined will still be there.”
The psychoactive effects of THC-dom inant cannabis products can easily cause seniors to become unstable and fall. That’s why, no matter the health concern, Vinocur starts her senior patients on CBD-dominant cannabis Forproducts.some, the amount of THC may need to be increased. But Vinocur advises older patients to start at the lowest amount of THC possible, and work their way up until their symptoms begin to decrease. Since CBD mitigates the psychoactive effects of THC, even a 50/50 CBD to THC ratio generally will not cause psy choactive effects.
FOR RECREATIONAL USERS: THC-DOMINANT We don’t have to tell you that canna bis products with high levels of THC will get you higher than CBD-heavy Butproducts.ifyou find yourself getting anxious, paranoid, or experiencing halluci nations after using cannabis try a THC-dominant cannabis product with a higher amount of CBD in it. Since CBD works to counterbalance the psycho active effects of THC, switching from a high THC product to something milder may help to give you a more relaxed high, according to Weinberg.
More research must be done before cannabis clinicians can prescribe products with more certainty. In the meantime, Weinberg makes a point to educate his patients on the differences between the cannabis compounds and how they interact with each other, empowering them to make informed decisions on their own. Then, he asks them to experiment.
The munchies, i.e. the strong and bizarre food cravings people often experience when they’re high on weed, can be a funny (not to mention tasty) part of the cannabis consumer experience. But the reality is, for those who consume cannabis on a daily basis for medical reasons or just as a way to relax throughout the day, the munchies can become a huge barrier to weight loss.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT STRAIN For some cannabis users, certain strains can cause them to experience more food cravings than others. If the strain you’re using seems to ignite your appetite, try another. You may find something you can enjoy without extra snacks.
GREEN STATE 6
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Good news: Just because you wake and bake doesn’t mean you have to be a slave to the potato chip bag, Similarly to how dieters treat typical food cravings, there are ways to push your munchies away and lock the door behind them.
1. SET A MEAL SCHEDULE (AND STICK TO IT) Having a mealtime schedule is beneficial whether you enjoy cannabis or not. When you don’t eat at consistent times throughout the day, you’re going to feel hungry when you least expect it. For those that use cannabis, sticking to a set food schedule can help you avoid feeling hungry after a toke.
5. ADD IN A WORKOUT
6. USE MINTY FRESHNESS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Some people simply refuse to fight the munchies when they attack. That’s fine. We get it. But that means you should prepare ahead of time. If you’ve resigned yourself to partaking in unhealthy snacks when your munchies attack, throw in a workout before you smoke or take an edible. This will help you prepare for the extra calories that are about to hit your system.
2. TRY TO STAY BUSY While it’s normal to slow down and enjoy the high after using marijuana, if you’re prone to the munchies, it may be best to stay busy. The more activity you take part in while high, the less time you have to think about food.
How to curb your munchies: HEARST NETWORK
Here are 6 crafty strategies to curb your munchies.
4. NO SNACKS IN SIGHT
If the munchies are inevitable when you use weed, then try to avoid temptation. One way of doing this is by keeping unhealthy snacks out of your house altogether. If you find yourself always getting the munchies, it may be best if you buy healthier foods that are easily accessible for when you (inevitably) raid your fridge. This is a great time to get in the leafy greens you may be missing. If the munchies strike and healthy foods are all you have in the house, you can say “bye-bye” to that cucumber you’ve been ignoring for days.
Brushing your teeth may not be at the top of your list of fun things to do while high, but it can help fight the cravings. Brushing or using mouthwash will leave a fresh, minty taste in your mouth. This doesn’t always go well with certain foods and may help you avoid bad snacks while high. Plus, chewing on mint-flavored gum or sucking an Ice Breaker is a good way to trick your brain into thinking you’re having a snack. MICHIGAN WAYS TO FIGHT CRAVINGS WHEN YOU’RE HIGH
2. When experiencing a slightly more wired or paranoid high, some go with the spiral-eyed emoji. It’s also the closest you’ll get to stoner eyes.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS 1. Not exactly a high emoji, but we like the simplicity of this herb and cigarette symbolizing a joint. 2. This smiling emoji surrounded by clouds is a whole vibe. 3. This emoji combination includes an alembic, which was used in medieval alchemy. It looks similar to a bong, and people have been hard-pressed to find another situation when you’d need this emoji, so it’s been adopted by the cannabis community.
If you just need an emoji for cannabis products and not the sensation of being high, there are some simple solutions for that, too. Here are the most common: HERB EMOJI: For reasons we don’t need to explain, this one is often used in place of the cannabis slang term “herb” BROCCOLI EMOJI Broccoli has become synonymous with cannabis because the top of it looks like buds PINEAPPLE EMOJI Thanks to the iconic stoner flick “Pineapple Express“, the pineapple is one of the main emoticons used for cannabis LEAF FLUTTERING EMOJI They never said what plant this leaf came from!
GENERAL CANNABIS EMOJIS
HEARST NETWORK MICHIGAN GREEN STATE WE EXPLORED WHY THERE ISN’T ONE, AND
Though cannabis normalization has hit a high point (pun intended) in recent years, many users still prefer to not to explicitly refer to cannabis use in text messages. But Apple’s famous emoji keyboard doesn’t make this easy. There is no emoji for the sensation of being high. There’s no cannabis emoji, either. It’sWhy?not because it’s too niche. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 18 percent of Americans used cannabis in 2019, and that number has only grown since cannabis became legal in more states since then. So there are a good number of us twiddling our thumbs, hoping the elusive “high” emoji to make an appearance in the next keyboard update. It’s not because of lack of demand, either. Multiple petitions can be found online for the creation of a high emoji. One suggests a remake of the “heart eyes” emoji, with tiny cannabis leaves in each of the hearts, and another advocates for a red-eyed smiley Weface.at GreenState have been frustrated by the lack of cannabis-friendy emojis for a long time. So, we decided to roll up our sleeves and dive into this strange lack of stoner representation. Here’s what we found. Why is there no high emoji? Take a look at your emoji keyboard and you’ll find a dizzy emoji, a starry-eyed emoji, and even a nauseous emoji, but no high emoji. Why? Apple has never spoken to this issue directly, but a little research into the subject showed us a pretty valid reason. Apple does not promote illegal substances on the emoji keyboard. While cannabis is legal in certain US states and in some parts of the world, it is not a legal substance at the federal level, or for the majority of Apple’s international audience. That’s why you’ll find tobacco and alcohol emojis, but no weed emoji. While a high emoji wouldn’t exactly promote an illegal substance, it would show the effects of one, which might land them in a legal gray area in certain parts of the world. We assume Apple feels they have enough to worry about without potential legal battles over a red-eyed smiley face looming over their heads, so it may not be until the majority of the world has decriminalized cannabis that they would feel comfortable launching a high emoji. Stealth emojis for when you’re high Odds are we’re not getting a high emoji anytime soon. So what are people using Weinstead?scoured the internet for different ways to say you’re high through emoticons and found some pretty clever solutions. 1. The blissful emoji face and dashing away combination is the most popular for a general high. Use this when you’re enjoying a peaceful and relaxing smoke.
3. Some use the wide-eyed emoji with the falling leaf to symbolize being high. This makes us think of the surge of energy that comes with a good Sativa. 4. Feeling baked? There’s no oven emoji, but people are making do with the frying pan and mouthless emoji—or at least, we think that’s the idea here.
Where’s the high emoji? SOME CREATIVE WAYS PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS
Upper Peninsula Site of Camp Cannabis Festival
Being groundbreaking is nothing new for The Fire Station Cannabis Company. Established in 2019 in Negaunee, it owns the distinction of being the first licensed UP recreational retailer and its second medical marijuana facility. The medical and recreational dispensary is now headquartered in Marquette and serves seven locations in the UP.
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Organizers say it’s an unprecedented happening, one that melds art, music and cannabis in a weekend festival that features musical talent across all genres. The Fire Station Cannabis Co. will host the Upper Peninsula’s first marijuana consumption event this fall. Sched uled for October 7-8 at Tourist Park in Marquette, the arts and culture festival is expected to be the largest cannabis festival in the Upper Peninsula. “We’re so excited to bring this event to the Upper Peninsula,” said Kelsey Potes, director of marketing for The Fire Station Cannabis Co. “It’s going to be something that people have never seen before. We can’t wait for everyone to experience the entertainment and education we have planned all week end long.”
Sublime with Rome will headline the music portion of Camp Cannabis, joining other nationally recognized entertainers such as The Floozies, Asher Roth, Afroman and NImesh Patel. “We are so excited to share this lineup,” said Logan Stauber and Stosh Wasik, CEOS and owners of The Fire Station, in a joint statement. “It is our hope that everyone in the community will appre ciate the wide variety of genres and the level of talent that we’re bringing for our inaugural festival.”
JON BECKER MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
The Fire Station leaders view the music festival as an opportunity to bring peo
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ple together in a welcoming, education al and engaging environment centered on music, art, culture and cannabis. “Through Camp Cannabis, we hope to lessen the stigma associated with the use of cannabis, further event attendees’ knowledge of the plant, and provide the Upper Peninsula with one-of-a-kind arts and culture experience,” Potes said.
The Pavilion, one of the event’s most exciting spaces, is where people can immerse themselves in topics like Joint Rolling 101, The History of Cannabis, and Cooking with Cannabis, to name a Attendeesfew. who opt for the VIP Experi ence will receive a more exclusive expe rience at Camp Cannabis. The amenities include a VIP tent with luxury restrooms, lounge tent, a dab bar and bonus activi ties including giant yard games.
The Fire Station Cannabis Co., a Marquette-based medical and recreational marijuana dispensary, will host the Upper Peninsula’s first marijuana con sumption event October 7-8. The event, expected to be the largest cannabis festival in the United States, will feature nationally known musical groups and cannabis-inspired education and experiences. The festival will take place in the City of Marquette’s Tourist Park Campground.
The Fire Station’s Pop-Up Retail Store will be the exclusive retailer of canna bis products (you are not allowed to bring your own) at the camp. Campers can enjoy and learn about a range of products from TFS staff and a variety of cannabis brand representatives. Other cannabis experiences include a “Good Vibes Grove,” a chill, creative space where attendees can create their own products or participate in relaxing ac tivities, such as puff & paint, tie dye and guided meditation.
https://thefirestation.com
For
Tourist Park, the site of the unique festi val, is a 40-acre campground located on the edge of Marquette along the shores of the Dead River. ticket and other information visit
26 | www.MIGREENSTATE.com Summer 2022| MIGreenState and has since stuck with Tom and Ken. He wears several hats in the business, doing everything from graphic design and production to photography and information technology. Shortly after Tom retired from the mar keting firm, he asked Clyde for help in bringing his drawing of a puzzle piece to “(Tom)life. wanted something scanned… I didn’t know that it was a piece for a die… it was a very early stage (and) eventually became what it is now,” he said. Indica Puzzles 490 West Wrightwood Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois @indicapuzzlesIndicapuzzles.com60126 Piecing Together from 7 Harns said. While daily he does “about a thousand different things”, his main goal is to help educate people in the cannabis field. His hope is that the All-Star recognition will help all marijuana dispensaries achieve their own goals and get the recognition that they deserve. “It was pretty cool to be awarded the state’s first gold award in social equity,” said Smith. “I just feel like in every indus try that’s what people should be doing. You are making more than enough money, why not give it back to oth ers? And that’s what Pharmhouse is all about, strengthening the relationships within the community.” Gold Level from 11 “It’s just a way of us getting into the cannabis commu nity to give it somewhat of an introduction to the product,” he said. Dave said growing, for him, is more than a hobby or a job. “I have a real spiritual con nection when I’m growing,” he “There’ssaid. something about sitting with those girls that, I don’t know, I could just sit there and watch them all day,” he said.
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www.MIGREENSTATE.com | 27Issue 7 | Summer 2022 take notes on how each product makes them feel, and uses their observations to help determine what THC to CBD ratio to prescribe. Vinocur suggested purchasing tinctures of THC and CBD isolate and mixing different ratios of them together at home. This is a good way to experiment with ratios without purchasing many different products. However you make your decision, determining what THC to CBD ratio is right for you will help you to be a more informed consumer, and may save you from being deceived by misleading strain names. Who knows? A little more CBD in your weed might make for the difference between a quiet puff and a panic attack. Ratio from 21 didknow?you there were 374 cannabis licensees in Michigan, according to the Marijuana Regulatory Agency. From those businesses, an estimated $150 million was generated for Michigan municipalities, schools, and transportation. According to the Marijuana Regulatory Agency, in 2021 Michigan saw $1,311,951,737 in marijuana sales for adult-use and $481,225,540 for medical cannabis. As of 2022March
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