Issue 1, Winter 2021
MiGreenState
Has COVID-19 Fast-tracked Public Support for Cannabis? Michigan Cannabis Chefs: Elevating Cannabis to an Entirely New Level Cannabis and Your Pet
And much more...
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Winter 2021| MIGreenState
in this issue on the cover
MiGreenState Director Ed Fritz
Editor Brad Massman
Advertising Alek Webster
5.......................................... cannabis & Your pet 12........................................ Has covid 19 fast tracked public support for cannabis? 18........................................ Michigan cannabis chefs
features 6.......................................... Seniors & Cannabis 8.......................................... Bud City: Bay City’s Burgeoning Marijuana Industry 11....................................... No cannabis emoji? No problem 14........................................ Manistee’s dunegrass 16........................................ marijuana report 17........................................ Cannaventures: Michigan’s own bud & breakfast 20....................................... small business spotlight: Great lakes natural remedies 22....................................... terpenes: what are they and what do they do? 23....................................... Cannabis beverages: An alcohol replacement? Volume 1 | Winter 2021
Lori Shaw Tony Garant
Contributors Jon Becker Elissa Esher Koral Fritz Arielle Breen Erin Glynn Colin Merry June Potter
Design & Layout Ariel Moreno MI Green State Magazine is designed and printed in Big Rapids, Michigan For advertising rates and information call: 231-592-8334 or email: migreenstate@hearst.com
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Introducing MiGreenState Dear Readers:
MICHIGAN’S PREMIER CANNABIS MAGAZINE
Welcome to the first issue of Michigan Green State. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. In a state blessed with breathtaking wonders of nature, we think the timing is right to highlight a natural resource that is the center of a movement in Michigan, one that is having a profound impact on so many levels: The exploding cannabis industry. We will explore the fascinating shift in attitudes toward marijuana as it takes a foothold in Michigan’s culture. From sneakily puffing on a joint under the cover of darkness in a seedy back alley or behind the woodshed, this naturally grown plant is now, for instance, the centerpiece of gourmet meals at formal dining events. As cannabis increasingly goes mainstream, it continues to be a lifestyle choice for a growing number of our state’s residents. The acceptance
of cannabis as far more than something to use to simply get high has come a long way. Yet industry insiders tell us we still have some image-changing work to do. That’s why Michigan Green State is all in on educating and entertaining our readers along the way as we explore all things cannabis. It’s our aim to be your trusted, go-to source on this emerging industry. There are amazing, heartfelt stories from entrepreneurs and other professionals in the industry that is fueling the tremendous growth of medical and recreational business in Michigan.
By sharing these compelling stories, (many told here for the first time) we are committed to doing our part to show that cannabis use is not a shadowy thing. As one dispensary owner told us: People from all walks of life are using cannabis and it’s gaining more acceptance from the medical community as a viable alternative to opiods and other narcotics as a means to ease pain and manage disease.
Hearst Media , in conjunction with its network of partners throughout the state, is proud to be playing a pivotal role in sharing the vast economic, medical, social and even spiritual benefits of the cannabis industry. The state’s economy, ravaged by COVID-19, is getting a much-needed shot in the arm. Outside of the dispensaries and grow facilities, cannabis is providing a positive ripple effect for our business community. Legal, accounting, transportation, marketing and education are but a few of professions that have seen job-creating opportunities arise related to cannabis operations. We hope you enjoy this journey with us as we chronicle marijuana’s evolution from the fringe elements of society to Main Street, Michigan. Happy Reading! Ed Fritz Michigan Green State
ED FRITZ
Helping people find their life’s balance. Present This At Checkout For A Free Pre Roll With Your Purchase
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Winter 2021| MIGreenState
Cannabis & Your Pet How it can help and what to avoid BY STORY STUDIO As more humans discover the health benefits of cannabis, it’s only natural that pet owners have begun exploring the same effects for their furry friends. Just like us, pets, including cats, dogs, and even horses, suffer from conditions that could benefit from the natural healing of cannabis. But, is it safe? Does it even work? Our full guide to pets and cannabis covers these questions, as well as how cannabis can help pets, and what to avoid.
HOW PETS CAN BENEFIT FROM CBD While research is still catching up on the human side of cannabis, studies of benefits for pets are scarce. What we have learned through real-time experience and preliminary early studies is that CBD is better than THC at treating common pet ailments. With the increase in use and sales for CBD pet products, pet owners must be onto something. In just one year from 2017 to 2018, CBD pet goods quadrupled in sales from $8 million to $32 million. No matter who is using CBD, the cannabinoid is proving to be quite effective. As a refresher, CBD is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is found primarily in cannabis hemp plants, while THC produces psychoactive effects and is found primarily in cannabis marijuana plants. Through research and widespread use, we know that CBD has a variety of proven benefits that can help pets just as much as humans.
large pet ailment: arthritis. One study recently concluded that CBD helps relieve arthritis pain in dogs when a dose is administered consistently twice a day. Pet owners also cited CBD as most effective for pain relief during a survey completed by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. CBD can also relieve pain associated with IVDD or intervertebral disc disease. This condition is common in a wide range of dogs, especially those that are short in stature, like dachshunds, Shih tzus, and basset hounds. But the disorder often affects larger breeds like Labradors and German shepherds, too. Seizures While less common than pain and arthritis, conditions like idiopathic epilepsy can cause seizures in some pets. CBD has already been approved by the FDA as a medication for seizures in humans. So, it made sense to research whether it could also be used this way for pets. Research is showing a lot of promise for CBD reducing seizures in dogs. A recent study reported a significant reduction in seizure frequency among varied breeds when the cannabinoid is administered. Anxiety Anxiety is quite common among pets and is often caused by fireworks, thunderstorms, trips to the vet, or even past traumas experienced as a kitten or puppy. CBD is a natural anxiolytic that proves to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders for humans. While research is still catching up on anxiety for pets, many owners are hopeful with the results they’ve seen first-hand.
Here’s a quick overview of the top reasons pet Beyond these conditions that affect a large owners are treating their pets with CBD. population of pets, CBD’s proven benefits are Pain and arthritis also helping treat smaller scale issues for cats and dogs, including: The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD are highly beneficial for one common dog and
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•
Appetite loss
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Nausea
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Cancer (inhibiting tumor growth and managing symptoms of medication side effects)
actually reported in pets. But the FDA recommends that you contact your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs after exposure to THC:
•
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
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Lethargy
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Glaucoma
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Depression
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Skin disorders
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Heavy drooling
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Bacterial and fungal infections
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Vomiting
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Behavioral problems
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Agitation
HOW THC AFFECTS PETS
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Tremors
THC, on the other hand, is not widely used for pets, even though some owners might swear that their pet enjoys getting high just by sitting near their smoke stash. This could be true, but, in comparison to CBD, THC is toxic at certain levels for cats and dogs. The level at which it becomes toxic is unknown, but it’s not safe for either pet to get into your stash.
PETS AND CANNABIS—A UNIQUE BALANCE OF HEALING
Just like humans, dogs or pets can overdose on THC. If they do, they’ll show a few telltale signs. Rest assured, overdosing and death are highly unlikely, with only a few cases ever
As research catches up from years of criminalized cannabis, so does the information we have on how cannabis affects pets. We know that many pet owners are safely exploring these plant compounds in the hope of providing a unique balance of healing for their furry friends. While you should keep your pets out of your THC-containing stash of cannabis, CBD is widely available for pets’ safe consumption and natural relief.
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Seniors & Cannabis THE RISE IN USE AND HOW CANNABIS CAN COMBAT AGING
BY STORY STUDIO The senior citizen community is becoming more progressive, seemingly day by day. Many are joining social media channels and dating sites, staying active longer, and even changing their views about marijuana. As educational resources become more widely available on the benefits of cannabis, the number of seniors using it increases as well. A report published this year showed that cannabis consumption by adults 65 and over has doubled between 2015 and 2018. It turns out that the plant has a wide range of health benefits that relieve common issues and effects of aging. Here we’ll dive deep into the science and stats behind the increasing acceptance of cannabis use in seniors and how it is being used to combat aging.
SMOKING SENIORS—THE RISE IN USE Currently, 33 states in the U.S. have legalized
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the medical use of cannabis, with another 11 states allowing recreational use. The increase in availability and destigmatization in popular culture are huge factors in the rise in the use of cannabis by aging adults. Citing a recent poll showing that 94% of Americans now support the medical use of the plant, experts at Harvard have theorized that the diminishing of the stigma against cannabis is also fueling the habit for seniors. This widespread support is helping to decrease many of the negative myths and stereotypes surrounding cannabis that seniors grew up believing. As for sources to trust, there’s no better organization than AARP for the aging community. The non-profit group encouraged seniors to consider cannabis as an aid when it officially endorsed the plant’s use. In 2019, the AARP Board of Directors approved a policy supporting the use of medical marijuana in the states where it’s been legalized.
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Beyond the growing support, it seems that the specific benefits that cannabis can provide are keeping “smoking seniors” coming back for more. Let’s review the latest research on how marijuana can help common aging conditions.
CANNABIS FOR AGING Since research is still catching up after years of criminalization, experts don’t have all the facts when it comes to cannabis and aging. From early studies, however, they can conclude that cannabis helps directly address many common older-age issues.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE One myth from marijuana’s past is that it has a negative effect on your memory. On the contrary, researchers are now finding that cannabis has a positive effect on Alzheimer’s, a condition that 10% of the senior citizen population suffers from. In 2014, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a breakthrough study reporting
that THC had a therapeutic effect against the memory affecting condition. This benefit occurs in part because THC lowers the brain’s levels of beta-amyloids proteins. When beta-amyloids build up in the brain, Alzheimer’s symptoms can appear.
PARKINSON’S Parkinson’s is another condition that is common among senior citizens. It affects nearly 10 million people worldwide, with 60,000 new cases in the U.S. each year. Currently, there’s no cure for the disorder, but experts attribute the symptoms to changing levels of dopamine and problems with nerve communication. This is where cannabis may be able to help. Overall, cannabinoids are being found to assist and improve neural activity to help alleviate many of Parkinson’s symptoms, as shown by the disorder’s non-profit organization publishing the results of these studies. The Michael J. Fox Organization has supported cannabis use as well.
ARTHRITIS AND CHRONIC PAIN More wide-reaching are the symptoms and side effects of arthritis and chronic pain for seniors. Even before the age of 65, many adults feel the deterioration of the body with common aches and pains. Since CBD and THC are both proving to be highly anti-inflammatory, they can be used to combat the pain of arthritis. Seniors seem to have quickly caught on to the pain- relieving effects of cannabis. In 2019, 65 percent of seniors reported using medical marijuana specifically for chronic pain.
GROWING OLD WITH CANNABIS As we learn more about cannabis and its unique benefits, it seems you can safely grow old while using cannabis. In addition, those aging issues that you can’t avoid can be relieved by conscious consumption. Senior citizens and younger generation alike can now have peace in knowing that cannabis can be a benefit to any anti-aging routine.
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Bud City
A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROMINENT NEWCOMERS TO THE BURGEONING BAY CITY MARIJUANA INDUSTRY
Bud & budtending lead to dramatic life turnaround JON BECKER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE A series of youthful mishaps involving ATV’s, skateboards and roller blades resulted in broken bones and worse for Bay City’s Carl King. Throw in some contact sports, notably a freshman year playing football at Bay City John Glenn (“that’s when I started having back issues”) and King found himself in an extraordinary amount of physical pain for a teenager. He was prescribed opiates for the pain, setting off a downward spiral that had the now professional bartender in a dark place. “Honestly I had a rough patch with opiates,” said King, echoing, sadly, an all-too familiar story about what has become a public health crisis in the United States. “I was almost always on it. It messed up my life, my health suffered greatly. I was constipated and had to have a colonoscopy at 20 years old because I was filling up, bloated with pounds of waste that building inside of me.”
company to take a chance on a 26-year old. I am phenomenally grateful to this company.” King divides his work days budtending at Oz stores in Detroit and his hometown of Bay City. Corporate standards are high and King says he has pretty solid knowledge in order to recommend patients and customers with the right strain, topical, concentrate, or accessory. “The industry continues to evolve and you’re always learning,” he says. “The whole weed aspect has come so far. My Dad was a Navy man and weed was not allowed anywhere near our house. It was strictly forbidden. He’s come around. I’ve even gotten my mother to try some topical and creams. It’s beautiful that so many benefits come from a plant. Be informed and use the products properly to get its benefits.” King has seen firsthand the devastating effects of alcohol abuse. He’d rather see someone fire up a blunt than pour another drink.
“I saw too many of my good friends’ parents lost to alcoholism. There are other solutions in life that won’t hurt people. Nobody dies from If that sounds unpleasant, it’s because it was. marijuana use. But if you drink a half a bottle a Today King is happy he’s alive to tell his story, if not for any other reason than to serve as a pre- night, it will catch up to you.” cautionary tale to others who are quick to turn King has sampled everything Oz offers. If he’s to a narcotic or a bottle for relief, be it physical going to provide guidance to a customer, he or emotional. To him, he’s living proof that a plant that is grown naturally, marijuana, is a safe wants to be able to relay more than a product description. He considers himself a weed alternative to highly addictive pain killers. connoisseur. “Concentrates and edibles pretty much saved my life,” he says. “I was on opiates for three years “I’ve tried every flavor of edibles, including the ones that don’t sell to find out why they aren’t but am now 5-year opiate free. I feel fantastic. selling. I’ve experimented with 5 milligram hard I’ve dropped a 100 pounds and don’t feel any stress.” candy to 60 dollar eighth, an exotic, top-shelf bud.” King said his job with Oz-Cannabis, a Michigan-based vertically integrated cannabis company with retail locations across the state, has played a major role in his comeback story. His dream since high school was to work in the marijuana industry, but “Oz was the only
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King says he owes his own personal transformation to accepting marijuana and the people around him. Here we are in 2021 and I’m looking forward to the future. I will work in this industry until the day I croak.”
Budtender Carl King stands in front of his employers’ Bay City store, Oz Cannabis, a recreational & medical dispensary. The Michigan-based company specializes in the production and sale of high-quality cannabis products and accessories. Carl King, a budtender with Oz Cannabis, is shown in front of the medical side of the Bay City dispensary. The flower is pre-packed and ready for customers to experience its myriad medicinal benefits. On the counterpart are packets of the store’s very own Sugar Leaf gummies, a popular edible choice for clients.
Winter 2021| MIGreenState
did you know?
Budtenders a Key Part of Michigan's Rapidly Growing Legal Marijuana Markets JON BECKER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE Many young professionals bounce from job to job, from one city to another, searching for something they just can’t seem to find. Then there’s Bay City’s Cameron Hankish, who very well may have found a permanent career home as a budtender in Michigan’s blossoming recreational and medical marijuana markets. The Bay City John Glenn graduate is a budtender near his hometown at Nature’s Holiday, in Linwood. The locally-owned recreational and medical dispensary prides itself on helping people from all walks of life find that ever-elusive life balance through responsible use of its products--be it bud or edibles. And make no mistake, the stereotypical notion that the industry caters to slacker- stoners who idle their days away eating Cheetos and playing video games, is something weed advocates are pushing back against. As the owner of Nature’s Bud, speaking on the condition of anonymity said: “It is so important for people to understand that even doctors, lawyers, police officers and other respected professionals are among the ranks that smoke or use edibles.” About 11 months ago Hankish, 23, made a career move he said has been life-altering. “I went from working in a food processing facility to coming to work at Nature’s Holiday,” he said. “This has been one of my greatest experiences. I can see myself working as a budtender for the rest of my life.” A common theme among budtenders is the sense of fulfillment they feel working in this relatively
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The Michigan Regulation & Taxation of Marihuana Act allows persons age 21 and over to cultivate up to 12 plants at home.
new field. “It feels good to help everyone out,” Hankish said. “We distinguish ourselves here by treating everyone that walks in our door as if they were home. We treat everyone with respect and take the time to find the right product for each person. That’s what we specialize in.” The biggest question Hankiish gets is how many milligrams of THC are in the store’s edibles. “They begin at 5 milligrams per edible,” he noted. “That’s where we like to start people out and gradually go up from there. Edibles are among are biggest sellers.” Nature’s Holiday customers are pretty much evenly divided between medical and recreational users. About 75 people a week walk through their doors, where they are warmly greeted and enthusiastically helped. You won’t see impassive employees and you won’t get frustrated walking around the place trying to find some help. “We see a lot of people suffering from a variety of arthritis,” Hankish said. “That’s our biggest customer base. We see others with bone disease and want some relief from that pain as well. A passion for wanting to help people, a willingness to go the extra mile, defines a good budtender. That, coupled with our product knowledge, really makes a difference for us.” He added: “We get return customers and referrals because of the respect with which we treat them and the quality of our products.” Uncle Bud’s: Where customer service is more than a slogan, it’s a way of life.
Bay City’s own Cameron Hankish may have found his life’s calling as budtender at Uncle Bud’s Provisioning Center, located at 11 South Huron Road, Linwood. Blue Dream Badder, a concentrated form of THC is extracted from the cannabis plant and is intended to be smoked or vaporized. It is one of the many product offerings at Linwood’s Nature Holiday, a locally-owned Cannabis Dispensary. Kush Mints, a hybrid marijuana strain, is said to have a unique minty taste that provides uplifting and happy effects for its users.
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Uncle Bud's a Modern Snapshot of Small Town Businesses JON BECKER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
with by the variety of strains the dispensary offers. “We see a lot of the older crowd here, some of whom are struggling with chronic pain or are recovering from surgery,” Meldrum said. “I’ve seen our medical marijuana help with Parkinson’s. A couple of hits off a joint or a bowl and within 10 minutes he wasn’t shaking. The tremors stop and the body goes back to normal. It calms him right down.”
You may have to search high, low and places in between but more often than not there is a silver lining to be found even in the direst of circumstances. One of the things we’ve seen during this protracted COVID-19 pandemic, is an increased push to support local businesses, many of which have been hammered by lockdowns and restrictions. Supporting your neighbors, your friends, the people that work and raise families in the same community you do makes sense for many reasons. There’s a medical marijuana dispensary, located in the Saginaw Bay community of Linwood, that may personify all that small town businesses represent in America. Uncle Bud’s Provisioning Center, owned and operated by lifelong Bay County residents, employs a budtender by the name of Andrew Meldrum who, naturally, happens to be a local product (Bay City). After previously working for a corporate-owned cannabis dispensary, Meldrum feels right at home at Uncle Bud’s, where he has worked for just over a year. “I enjoy working for a Mom and Pop store rather than a corporate-owned facility,” Meldrum said. “I like the community here and the social aspect of getting to know your customers.” Meldrum, a Bridgeport Baptist Academy graduate, said his college days provided the impetus for becoming a budtender.
Meldrum has also helped patients with eating disorders and insomnia. “We carry roughly 35-40 strains on our shelves,” he said. “All different flavors, from Indica and Hybrids, to Sativa. Our most popular is probably the king-size Zkittlez. It helps you relax but it doesn’t make you real tired. It has a dank flavor with a sweet candy aftertaste.” On a slow day, 10-15 patients will come in to Uncle Bud’s seeking a cure—or at least relief- from what ails them. On busier days—which tend to be later in the week, the store will see 30-40 people. Uncle Bud’s Provisioning Center, located in Linwood, is a locally-owned and operated medical marijuana store that offers top-notch products in a friendly and inviting atmosphere. The business may be local but its reputation is such that people suffering from a variety of ailments come from multiple states to experience the Uncle Bud’s difference.
number of medical conditions.
“Way back when I was in college and smoking, a buddy of mine suggested that if I was going to continue to smoke, that I should get my card (medical). The rest is history.”
“Through the years I’ve seen how cannabis really helps people with all kinds of medical issues,” he said. “I like the feeling of being able to help people. The medical market is more about the patient than the profit.”
Today he spends his days dispensing advice and medical marijuana to patients who come in seeking relief from any
Anxiety. Arthritis. Fibromyalgia . Chronic Pain. These are just some of the afflictions that Uncle Bud’s patients are helped
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“We see a lot of locals, of course, but people come from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and other states,” Meldrum said. “We’ve been in business for about 2 and half years, so it’s good to see our reputation is growing.” By law, patients are allowed to purchase 2.5 ounces of cannabis a day or 10 ounces a month. Edibles are regulated a bit differently from “flowers as you can’t buy 2.5 ounces of edibles. Each one has anywhere from 10 milligrams of THC to 500 milligrams,” Meldrum notes. If you’re in to helping people, especially in these turbulent times, the cannabis’ equivalent of a bartender, a budtender, may be the career for you. “The most important thing is people skills,” Meldrum said. “You have to make the customer feel comfortable. Building a relationship is tantamount to making good sales.”
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No cannabis emoji? No problem.
HERE ARE 11 STEALTH EMOJIS YOU CAN USE FOR WEED ELISSA ESHER | FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But when it comes to cannabis, words can seem like all you’ve got. Cannabis has yet to be introduced to Apple’s emoji keyboard, leaving a gaping hole in modern communication that has wreaked havoc on smoke sesh invites, dispensary
(Photo by Jörg Carstensen/picture alliance via Getty Images)
payments, and the Twitter feeds of cannabis businesses around the Since Apple has always been careful to include only legal substances in the keyboard, we probably won’t see a cannabis emoji until marijuana is legalized at a federal level in the U.S.
Moji-juana
However, thanks to semantic progression and the undaunted resourcefulness of the cannabis community, there are still ways to use emojis in weed-related discourse. Just as the emoji has evolved to mean something completely unrelated to fruit, so, too, have several emojis evolved to be associated with cannabis.
USE ONE OF THESE EMOJIS THE NEXT TIME YOU TEXT ABOUT THE BUD
1.. THE HERB
5. THE ALEMBIC️
You guessed it, this one means herb – and not the kind you keep in a spice rack.
We’ve talked a lot about weed-synonymous emojis, but what about forms of consumption? Fear not–there are emojis for that, too.
2.. THE LEAF FLUTTERING IN THE WIND Whether this leaf is fluttering up or down is debatable, but optimistic cannabis-enthusiasts believe that leaf is riding high. Try shooting a friend this emoji next time you want to avoid explaining why you can’t make your dinner plans.
3. BROCCOLI Rollin’ up your broccoli like Lil Yachty? Don’t forget your greens. The broccoli emoji has been championed by many as looking the most like cannabis flower. Whether you see it or not, this emoji is a great way to look healthy and be stealthy while texting your friends in public.
4. WIND The wind or “dash” emoji has come to not only indicate speed, but also smoking a joint. Add a question mark to see if a friend wants to join–odds are they’ll respond with .
The cigarette emoji lives a double life, indicating either a tobacco cigarette or a joint, depending on context. So, too, does one of the most obscure emojis: the alembic, a chemical distiller that made its way onto the emoji keyboard by the same logic that put the Dodo bird there (in other words, we have no idea how.) Nevertheless, this random chemistry tool gave the cannabis community a bong emoji, and that sparked a good reaction.
6. FIRE A longtime symbol for blazing up, this one generally needs to be poised next to the cigarette or broccoli emojis to get the message across. Alternatively, position this around the 😳 emoji to convey being lit.
7. THE ROCKET SHIP If you’re planning on eating three brownies in one sitting tonight, this one’s for you. The rocket ship emoji indicates getting so high you touch the stars (though, let’s be honest, you’re stroking your lampshade.) Use this to safely alert your friends and family before blastoff.
Elissa Esher is Assistant Editor at GreenState. 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.
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After conducting a thorough investigation through Reddit and Twitter threads on the subject, we made a comprehensive list of the most popular emojis used to symbolize cannabis on the internet. Consider this your quick-access dictionary for canna-moji lingo—that is, until the tech gods bestow upon us a cannabis leaf emoji.
8. THE MAPLE LEAF Wrong as it may seem, the universal symbol for cozy, autumn vibes is also one of the O.G. symbols for pot, presumably because it looks the most like a marijuana leaf. Since the development of other marijuana-lookalike emojis, though, and since many Canadians found the association offensive, the maple leaf’s popularity has dwindled.
9. THE FOUR-LEAF CLOVER Another symbol for the cannabis leaf, this lucky, green icon tends to appeal to those who call weed “clover” and prefer it to Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day.
10. THE PINEAPPLE Just as there are a variety of drinks in the emoji language, there are a variety of forms of weed. Enter the pineapple emoji: the text symbol for bud. We think it’s pretty cute.
11. THE CHRISTMAS TREE If you find yourself at a loss for words describing the quality your weed, there’s an emoji to help. Evergreen tree emojis (evergreen) were first used to describe dope because of their connection with the cannabis nickname “tree,” often used by rappers (think “All I do is smoke trees, call me a log head.” from Brisco and Lil’ Wayne’s “I’m in the Hood.”) It wasn’t long, though, before the evergreen tree wasn’t enough. Cannabis enthusiasts needed a differentiator– so they turned to the world’s symbol of yuletide cheer. Now, the evergreen tree symbolizes average weed, while the Christmas tree emoji symbolizes the good stuff–you know, the stuff that gets you the most lit. Two other tree emojis are associated with cannabis: the palm tree (palm tree) and the deciduous tree (deciduous.) It’s all about what resonates with your experience.
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Has COVID-19 fast-tracked public support for cannabis? KORAL FRITZ FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE For decades in the United States, many people have viewed cannabis as a gateway drug, the devil’s lettuce, and a substance only associated with crime and unwanted immigrants. Cannabis went from being widely available and recognized for its medical value in the early 1900s to being outlawed in 1970. As fear developed around “habit forming” substances in the 1920s, it was easy for society to demonize cannabis. Many people learned FRITZ to cast judgment on Mexican immigrants and their daily cannabis smoking likely because government officials are on record making racist comments towards Mexican immigrants and “degenerate races” for their “satanic music” and violence that became associated with cannabis use. Society quickly created a culture where upstanding citizens despised and feared “marijuana.” This culture pushed
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any and all types of cannabis users into one category: good-for-nothing-criminal-drug addicts. The anti-cannabis attitude has been entrenched in the culture and the laws of the United States for nearly one hundred years. Yet, in the midst of a pandemic and at a time defined by polarization and stress, people are stopping to smell the roses. Except this time somebody swapped the roses with cannabis flower. While the virus has had a devastating impact on the country’s health and economy, it has certainly measured the country’s tolerance and support for cannabis reform. The virus has put cannabis in the spotlight. From states declaring cannabis businesses essential to Congress considering banking reform, the country is dealing with and using cannabis in a way that harkens back to pre-prohibition days. The pandemic, at least in part, seems to have spurred a change in public attitude towards cannabis. Here is a
look at some of the attitude and policy shifts that were noticeable in 2020.
CANNABIS OPERATIONS DECLARED ESSENTIAL IN SOME STATES When the pandemic began, Michigan’s legal recreational cannabis market was just getting rolling. In mid-November of 2019, Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) issued the first recreational cannabis licenses and announced that recreational sales would begin on December 1, 2019. On opening day, customers waited in long lines that resembled those we once saw on Black Friday. With five recreational retailers open, Michigan reported over $1.6 million in recreational cannabis sales by December 8th. At the end of December, the monthly sales topped $6 million. The MRA’s monthly report indicates that sales reached $9.8 million for January alone. In February, just as concerns about a deadly virus were rising, Michigan’s recreational cannabis sales increased by 34%, hitting $14 million. Michigan’s first stay-at-home order took effect on March 24th and limited opera-
tions to only those workers, businesses, and services that were essential. Phones at law firms across the state started ringing off the hook as business owners frantically tried to determine if their businesses were essential. Several state agencies, including the MRA, published advice or guidance about which workers and activities were essential. The MRA’s Advisory Bulletin explained that licensed medical marijuana and licensed adult-use (recreational) marijuana establishments could remain open. Other states, including Illinois, Washington, California, Nevada, and Oregon also permitted cannabis businesses to operate despite stay-at-home orders. Other states, such as Massachusetts, permitted only medical cannabis businesses to operate during the shutdown. The decision to deem cannabis businesses essential in some states during the pandemic is an indication that citizens and leadership recognize the benefits that cannabis has to offer. This decision also signals a widespread shift in society’s attitude towards cannabis from stigma and rejection to understanding and acceptance.
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CANNABIS BUSINESSES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ROLL OUT CURBSIDE AND DELIVERY OPTIONS The cannabis businesses that could operate despite state shutdown orders still had to adapt to new sales methods. Michigan provisioning centers and retailers that remained open had to close store lobbies and conduct sales through curbside service and delivery while maintaining social distancing. Some of Michigan’s medical cannabis retailers received authorization to institute delivery options in the spring of 2019. However, the recreational businesses did not have delivery options until the state began to react to COVID-19. With retail lobbies closed, customers could no longer walk into a store and peruse display cases to pick the products they wanted to purchase. Instead, customers relied heavily on retail websites to identify products, place orders online or by phone, and to set up deliveries or curbside pickups.
This substantial change came just as recreational retailers were getting used to operating new stores and forced industry leaders to pivot quickly. Despite the unforeseen change, the new delivery rules provided cannabis businesses a lifeline. Authorizing delivery and curbside options indicates that states support cannabis businesses and have an interest in making sure patients and recreational consumers have safe access to cannabis. Reports indicate that consumers are using the new purchase options. Cannabis total sales in Michigan topped $30 million in March, $33 million in April, and $45 million in May, with sales continuing to grow over the summer months. Regulators fast response to the problems COVID-19 posed to the cannabis industry has shown that society is changing its tune on cannabis.
CANNABIS REFORM CONTINUED TO GAIN TRACTION One year before the pandemic took hold, the United States House
of Representatives began working on the Safe and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (SAFE). Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) introduced HR 1595 in March 2019 with the goal of opening up banking opportunities for cannabis operations in the country. The House passed the SAFE Act in September of 2019, and the bill is now in review with the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. If you remember your School House Rock songs, you’ll know that this bill sitting in committee for over a year likely means it is dead (for now).
to federal cannabis offenses. After Rep. Nadler introduced this bill in July of 2019, the bill moved through committee before the House passed the MORE Act in early December of 2020. The Senate now has the chance to address the MORE Act and has referred the bill to the Committee on Finance as of December 7, 2020.
While the House is not holding its breath waiting for Senate action on the MORE or SAFE Acts, the movement on these bills is indicative of the public’s support for cannabis reform. In fact, the latest Gallup Only a few months before the Poll shows that 68% of American House passed the SAFE Act, adults favor legalizing cannabis. Representative Jerrold Nadler That statistic is not overly surprising (D-NY) introduced the Marijuana given the success that cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment, and measures experienced in the Expungement (MORE) Act, HR November election. Despite a trying 3884. The goal of the MORE Act is year with unfamiliar obstacles, five to decriminalize cannabis while states overwhelmingly passed also taxing sales of the substance cannabis measures. Specifically, and opening up banking and Arizona, Montana, and New Jersey investment opportunities to legalized adult use while Missiscannabis businesses. The House bill sippi legalized medical use. South also seeks to establish a process Dakota became the first state to to expunge convictions related legalize adult use and medical use
at the same time.
IS COVID-19 TO CREDIT FOR CANNABIS SUCCESS IN 2020? The response to COVID-19 called on different localities to address cannabis rules and policies that may not have reached the roundtable this year. But for shutdowns and closures, states may not have considered or otherwise declared cannabis businesses essential. If some states had not declared cannabis businesses essential, then the industry may not have had the need or opportunity to develop an e-commerce presence or to roll out delivery and curbside operations as quickly as they have. Several state economies have benefitted from the function of cannabis markets during the last year, and it seems that the economic opportunity has opened federal legislators’ eyes to the need to legalize this market. Koral Fritz is a licensed attorney and Professor of Cannabis Business at Lake Superior State University
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Dunegrass chief executive officer Nick Piedmonte, said in an email that “The Dunegrass brand is a reflection of all those times spent on the lakeshore, enjoying the long slow days of summer.” (Arielle Breen/News Advocate)
Dunegrass ushers in a new age in Manistee ARIELLE BREEN FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE Dunegrass, Manistee’s first marijuana business, officially opened its doors for business at 28 Arthur St. on Aug. 27. As patients and customers walk past the freshly planted young dune grass outside and enter the lobby area, sandy beach tones greet visitors as well as handmade cherry wood cabinets that nod to the business’ Traverse City roots and a watery blue epoxied floor meant to reference water near the dunes. After checking in at the front desk, visitors meet a sales staff member and visit the next room to browse available products and seek advice and have questions answered by staff. “So that person comes back (to the
sales floor) in a one-to-one capacity,” said Eric Piemonte, Dunegrass chief operations officer. “They’re going to get a very intimate, very individual, customer-driven experience. … We see ourselves just as much as educators as we do as sales (people).” The sales floor also features several photos from Manistee’s dunescapes on canvas. When asked why they would go to the extra lengths to include more of Manistee sights into the business, Piemonte asked “why not?” “We don’t want to do the minimum amount required. We truly want to go above and beyond,” Piemonte said. “We feel the customer experience is a big deal and everything we can do to let everyone know that we’re grounded in northern Michigan and big fans of the area.”
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The business has products such as flowers in various forms such as loose or prerolled, concentrates, waxes, topicals and edibles. Dunegrass aims to serve both medical patients and adult use customers and is the first out of about nine marijuana businesses that were proposed in the city last year. All products at Dunegrass are divided between medical and adult-use. With adult use marijuana, Michigan requires a customer to be 21 or older. Medical marijuana products are specifically for medical marijuana patients. And each product is meticulously weighed, labeled, recorded and tracked from origin through sale. Piemonte said those products also list specific amounts and percentages of aspects such as CBD, THC and others. Piemonte said Dunegrass is a family-run business featuring two sets of brothers who are cousins and others working on the business together.
The entrance area to Dunegrass features sandy tones and an epoxy floor meant to evoke feelings of the beach. Visitors are greeted and signed in at the entrance and then meet a salesperson who can introduce products on hand and answer questions. (Arielle Breen/News Advocate)
“It’s a very big deal for me and my brother. We’ve (spent) a lot of time building this business and (are) very excited to finally get this off the ground,” he said. His brother, Dunegrass chief executive officer Nick Piedmonte, said in an email that “Dunegrass began as an outgrowth of our family retail business, GT Vapor.” “We have long wanted to move into the cannabis industry but held off until the legislative changes in 2018,” he said. He added, “The Dunegrass brand is a reflection of all those times spent on the lakeshore, enjoying the long slow days of summer.” “The culture that defines our organization has been developed over decades spent living in northern Michigan. We feel there’s a special fit between our brand and the Manistee community,” the CEO said. He said they hope to create well-paying, long term jobs for employees and a unique experience for customers and communities. The business opened with 12 employees.
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(Left) Dunegrass has products like flowers in various forms such as loose or prerolled, concentrates, waxes, topicals and edibles. (Arielle Breen/News Advocate) (Right) Production room: Each product at Dunegrass in Manistee is meticulously weighed, labeled, recorded and tracked from origin through sale. The products also list specific amounts and percentages of aspects such as CBD, THC and others. (Arielle Breen/News Advocate)
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Michiganders on marijuana U-M REPORT FINDS INCREASE IN USE, DECREASE IN PERCEPTION OF RISK A report recently released by the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center found that the number of patients with medical cannabis certifications has increased since 2011. (Screenshot/IPC report)
ERIN GLYNN FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
One in nine is a greater percentage than the prevalence estimates in the Midwest and nationwide.
The University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center released a report this month on marijuana use in Michigan and everything it affects, from hospital capacity to the economy to mental health.
2. PERCEPTIONS OF THE RISK OF MARIJUANA HAVE DECREASED.
The report is intended to compile research on marijuana’s impact on the health and well-being of Michiganders prior to the state’s legislation of recreational use in 2018. Here’s a few of the highlights:
1. CANNABIS USE IS MORE PREVALENT IN MICHIGAN THAN IN THE MIDWEST OR NATIONALLY. The amount of Michigan residents who report using cannabis in the past month has increased by over 60% over the last 14 years. Now, around one in nine Michigan residents report using cannabis in the past month. Researchers said that almost all recent increases in the prevalence of cannabis use in Michigan took place after medical use was legalized in 2008.
Along with this increase in prevalence comes a decrease in perceptions of the risks of marijuana. Now, fewer Michiganders believe that smoking marijuana once a month will result in “a great risk of personal harm” — just 21.8%. There has also been a shift in expectations toward more lenient penalties for possession of an ounce or less of cannabis for personal use. Still, the report found that the majority of teenagers aged 12-17 said they and their parents disapprove of cannabis use.
3. HEALTHCARE IMPACT Even with cannabis use becoming more prevalent in Michigan, the number of people reporting symptoms that could be classified as cannabis use disorder has remained stable since 2002, and even decreased from 2013 to 2014, the report found.
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Cannabis use disorder is defined by the National Institutes of Health as a “problematic pattern of use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.” “Currently, there are no conclusive explanations for why this prevalence may have decreased, especially given that cannabis use has increased within some of these populations during the same time period. Additional data from later years are needed to understand these potential trends,” the report said of the findings. The report found that many Michigan residents are using cannabis for medical purposes and that in 2018, 3% of the state’s population held a medical cannabis certification. The same year, 91.1% of patients reported severe and chronic pain as a reason for their medical cannabis certification. The report states that severe and chronic pain is the most frequently listed reason since the program began. The report also found that the percentage of cannabis-involved fatal crashes is increasing in Michigan and said this underscores the need for public health approaches to
prevent people driving under the influence of cannabis. Researchers reported that suicide and homicide victims in Michigan often test positive for cannabis. “Prevention programs could potentially benefit from addressing cannabis use to help mitigate risk of these types of death,” the report suggested.
4. ECONOMIC IMPACT The state’s net revenue from the medical cannabis program ranged from $5 million to $7 million per year from 2011 to 2018, researchers found. This revenue comes from processing applications and renewals for the medical cannabis programs and issuing of registry ID cards, not from dispensary sales. Data from October 2018 through March 2019 showed that total medical cannabis sales at licensed facilities was $56.4 million, the report said. The report found that locally grown cannabis is more highly valued than imported cannabis from Mexico, which researchers believe is indicative of locally grown cannabis’s
higher quality. The report states that the street value of locally grown cannabis (ranging from $1,800-$4,000 per pound) is higher than imported cannabis ($450-$1,200 per pound). “Law enforcement data indicate that cannabis is generally acquired in Michigan from private residences, street sales or from medical dispensaries,” researchers found. Locally, Manistee has seen an increase in the availability of marijuana if nothing else. The city saw its first two marijuana retailers, Dunegrass and Authentic 231 open in the past year and there are more on the horizon. Meds Cafe co-owner Ryan Fitzsimmons said he hopes to open by February. The facility will have its state inspections next week. Fitzsimmons is also the representative for Manistee’s first potential grow facility, planned for 170 Glocheski Drive. The Manistee Planning Commission voted to approve a special use permit for the facility at its Jan. 7 meeting. Next, the facility will need state approval for licensing.
The state of Michigan does not have a limit for how much THC can be in a marijuana product. Winter 2021| MIGreenState
Find Your Happy Place at Manistee Farms CannaVentures JON BECKER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE If you’re looking to take a walk on the wild side, there’s a place called “Manistee Farm Cannaventures” in Luther, a tiny village where bright lights and traffic noise gives way to starry nights and the magnificent sounds of nature. Bonnie Demos and her husband Cliff own and operate a farm there, but they’re not raising livestock or growing corn or soybeans on their 20-acre parcel in the middle of the Manistee National Forest. They are growing (and sharing) another crop that Michigan is fast becoming noted for: marijuana. Guests won’t get a chocolate under their pillow but they will receive a bud-oriented weekend in a pristine setting that Demos said leaves many unsuspecting visitors agape. “I’m looking out the window and see about 50 deer,” Demos said. “It’s dark. We don’t landscape. We don’t feed our plants. No nutrients. We nourish the earth’s natural cycles. From a city person’s perspective it’s the bush. It’s amazing how loud nature can be when you can actually hear its symphony. It’s very, very private here.” That’s the wild side of a stay at this medical marijuana farm. Weed is, of course plentiful, but “this isn’t Animal House,” Demos, a child of the ‘70s, says. “Most of my people are in their 50s.” A 2-night-2-couple package costs $500, a price that, according to Demos, is affordable because she and Cliff grow their own pot. Guests upon check-in receive one-half ounce of marijuana and can look forward to a pot-infused waffle breakfast complete with candied
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bacon, butter and maple syrup—all cannabis infused, naturally. Dinner is fondue and a snack that can be followed by a bonfire, where guests can expect to shed their inhibitions and soak in an environment Demos says is unique. “There’s so much to do in this area with all our rivers, streams and hiking trails,” Demos said. “People bring their kayaks and bikes and have all these plans. More often than not, they never leave the property.” This will likely change as marijuana becomes increasingly mainstream, but right now there aren’t many marijuana-friendly rental properties in Michigan. Manistee Farms, with its 3 fully-equipped RV’s, 3 rustic campsites and a fire ring and a gazebo, is one of them. “Two nights and two people is our starting point for stays,” Demos said. “Kind of like company that doesn’t stay too long. And they actually pay for their food. People can relax here worry free and enjoy one of nature’s gifts. They can’t smoke at the state campground around families and children.” The gregarious Demos laughs easily and appears to be one of those people who makes friend easily. She clearly has found her happy place after moving to the area a few years ago from Wisconsin, where her beloved bud is not legal. It may sound like a contradiction in terms to some, but the legalization of marijuana in Michigan brought Demos to Michigan for health reasons. “I came here to manage my own autoimmune disease,” she says, a shot at doctors who wanted to prescribe opiates to her to manage the condition. “I wanted to be somewhere where I could grow it and not going to jail. I’ve been growing
my own for eight years and we’ve been at the farm here for two years.” Many of her guests are quick to return to this small, intimate setting. Others have rented sites for up to 6 months. The couple practice permaculture, an integrated approach to land management rooted in a holistic philosophy of interacting harmoniously with nature. “People really fall in love with the place like we did,” Demos says. “There’s no other place quite like it. Firing up a “fatty” among friends in a serene setting may be central to the Manistee Farm mystique, but at its core is a mission to help people.
Bonnie and Cliff Demos own and operate Manistee CannaVentures, a bud and breakfast joint located in the heart of the Manistee National Forest. The small operation offers cannabis-friendly lodging in a private setting teeming with wildlife and natural beauty.
“We specialize in cancer and autoimmune disorders,” Demos said. “We have oils and balms. The balm is probably the most popular. It’s phenomenal. You can use it for any kind of joint pain. There’s a lack of knowledge concerning marijuana. We help a lot of sick people.” Part of guests’ connect-with-nature-experience is the opportunity to see Manistee Farms’ cash crop flourishing in the field. “They can go out and walk around, play with the plants, touch them. Most people don’t get to see marijuana in this state. At a dispensary, you’re looking at it behind glass. You connect with the plant in a very different way here.” If there’s such a thing as cannabis purist, Demos is it. “I’m 67 years old and used marijuana back in the day,” she says. “It doesn’t need to go in a gummy bear or some other edible… if you want fine and premium stuff, it’s a slow and lengthy process.” Manistee Farms CannaVentures: Where Pain and Worries Go Up in Smoke.
Oils and balms are popular choices for people seeking relief from a variety maladies at the medical marijuana farm, Mannistee CannaVentures, jointly owned and operated by the husband wife team of Cliff and Bonnie Demos. The couple practice permaculture, meaning, among other things, that they don’t tamper with marijuana plants with fertilizer or any other chemical. The cannibas-friendly lodging facility specializes in helping cancer patients and those with autoimmune disease.
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(L-R) Chef Nigel Douglas, Michael Thompson, Cory Roberts and Chef Lynette Roberts pose for a photograph at Thompson’s welcome home meal after serving 25 years in a Michigan prison stemming from a marijuana charge. Late last year Gov. Gretchen Whitmer granted clemency and he has now returned to his hometown of Flint, where the media attention his case has generated has seen many, including Michigan Cannabis Chefs, step up to support him.
Michigan Cannabis Chefs ELEVATING CANNABIS TO AN ENTIRELY NEW LEVEL
JON BECKER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE A mere half joint cost Cory Roberts nearly five years of his life. Yet that very same then-illegal substance, cannabis, today is elevating his standing as one of the co-owners of Michigan Cannabis Chefs, an up and coming collaborative food company in Muskegon. Roberts and his business partners, Chef Lynette Roberts, his wife, and Chef Nigel Douglas, a childhood friend, are on the forefront of a new, classy trend in the exploding cannabis industry: artisan cannabis-infused dishes for special occasion dinners, weddings, private parties and small gatherings at private residences. All done safely within everyone’s interpretation of COVID mandates accounted for, Roberts notes. “In 2018, when adult use of marijuana became legal, we began doing private, elevated dining events at private residences,” Roberts says of the company’s origins. “Pre-COVID we were doing events for up to 250 guests. Our chefs were serving anywhere from 5 to 10 courses. We would often have live musical performances. At some events, we would also have
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artists there painting.”
for 26 years. We love carefully introducing people to cannabis cuisine. We like to think Michigan’s Cannabis Chefs’ farm-to-table we’re building bridges using fine dining as a approach involves using locally-sourced, seasonal farm fresh ingredients whenever pos- way to bring people together.” sible. How do crab cakes, roasted garlic and Unfortunately, his affinity for bud got him red pepper coulis sound? Or seared scallops, busted back in the day and repeated probapurple pot pancake, frangelico butter sauce tion violations prompted a judge to hand him and candied bacon? Still not licking your a 26-year prison sentence even though his chops? Maybe surf (lobster risotto) & turf beef only crimes were marijuana possession. Robtenderloin will do the trick. For dessert may erts has a simple yet profound response when the talented and seasoned chefs recommend asked what got him through prison: their strawberry bananas foster gooey butter “Logan Lee Roberts. Thinking of getting back cheesecake? Try stopping at one slice. These to my son who needed me. Logan was 4 are a but a few of the carefully crafted dishes when I was sent to prison. His Mom and I were on one of their elevated dining menus. not together, and when I went to prison, she Every gram of cannabis used in Michigan moved to Maui, Hawaii.” Cannabis Chefs’ eye-popping-mouth-waterRoberts’ father died when he was seven and ing menu is cultivated at Michigan Cannabis he didn’t want his son to face life without his Farms, property the Roberts own in Fremont. Dad. The Roberts and Douglas have been using “I stared at pictures of Logan all day, every day,” marijuana for medical reasons for years. Now Roberts recounted. “Even carried one in my they can legally share what they consider a chest pocket anytime I left my cell. I needed gift from nature with others. him with me as a reminder of why not to react “The negative perception of marijuana is to what was going on around me.” disappearing,” Roberts, 42, says. “We’re seeing A few months after his release, a judge grantuniversities and respected members of the ed him sole custody of Logan. Roberts took his medical community coming on board. ‘I’ve been involved with cannabis on a daily basis young son to Hawaii to visit his mother and 4 Elevated Bruschetta
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Catering formal events is one of the services provided by a Muskegon-based company that continues to dial up its creative and scrumptious menu of cannabis-infused meals. Guests here are enjoying a multi-course meal prepared by Michigan Cannabis Chefs at the Muskegon Yacht Club. The sailboat, Vivienne, was in storage being prepared for the Michigan Sail Boat Race. The boat’s owner and Captain wanted to host a formal bon voyage dining event for the crew and their spouses before setting sail in the race. They sealed it with plastic and had a table built on top of the boat. It’s all part of Michigan Cannabis Chefs’ mission to provide memorable events centered around good conversation and gourmet cannabis-infused meals. half-brothers for a two-week vacation. When they returned to Michigan and Roberts went back to work at his commercial construction job “a bad stretch of winter storms hit and everyone at my company got laid off,” he said. “That’s when Logan and I moved to Maui, so he could be close to his mom and brothers. That’s when I met my wife, Chef Lynette.” Michigan is now home and the company he co-founded with his wife and Douglas has been making quite a name for itself. A January 2020 Food and Wine Magazine article on cannabis cuisine highlighted the fact that the Muskegon-based Michigan Cannabis Chefs is in select company as one of the few in the United States that do infused fine dining. Last February, Cannabis Chefs were in Chicago for a special event. Said Roberts, “Chef Nigel, who is amazing by the way,” is from Chicago and my wife’s family is from Chicago, so it was a culinary homecoming. It was just before COVID and a seafood restaurant there shut down so we could stage the first elevated dining experience in a restaurant.” More recently, the culinary artists met with Michael Thompson, 69, who had just been released from prison after serving 24 years of a 60-year prison sentence stemming from the sale of three pounds of marijuana to an undercover informant. Thompson, of Flint, was the longest-serving marijuana prisoner in the state. Roberts acknowledged the tireless work of activist Shaun King and Last Prisoner Project Founder Steve Deangelo, two of the lead players that have lobbied for Thompson’s release for years. Without their and others prison reform advocates’ public-awareness-raising efforts Thompson may very well still be languishing in prison. “It was a special evening,”Roberts said. “We cooked him his first meal, non-infused of course, because he’s on parole, at a Flint Airbed and Breakfast.” Cannabis chefs followed that up with a second meal for Thompson. It was a feast fit for a king. Guests included Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and his wife, State Rep. Cynthia Neeley. Mayor Neeley is Thompson’s nephew. Los Angeles-based playwright Deedee Kirkwood (Toke) was also one of the invited guests. She’s been in and around LA for a long time, so you have to know she’s not easily impressed. Then she met the Michigan Cannabis Chef team and partook in what she described as a “meal of a lifetime.” “I don’t even know where to begin to adequately thank Cory, Lynette and Nigel,” said Kirkwood, a longtime marijuana activist who was Thompson’s point person through Last Prisoner Project, a social justice organization. “It was an over-the-top feast for Michael and the few of us lucky recipients.” Guests were treated to lobster rolls, tender orange roughy with garlic butter, risotto, asparagus, homemade rolls and a purple sweet potato dessert with a macademia crust, among other dishes. The guest of honors’ favorite, carrot cake with large pecans, was a big hit as well.
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It’s, just how Michael loves it,” enthused Kirkwood. “This was seriously the most outstanding meal of my life.”
Elevated Cheesecake topped with a chocolate ganache and coconut sitting upon sweet cream and chocolate cookie in a raspberry sauce.
The Roberts and Douglas presented Thompson with a painting that soon will grace a wall in his new Flint home. “I am just blown away by all their efforts and extreme generosity of spirit and the donation Cory, Nigel and Lynette made on Michael’s behalf. The hoops they jumped through to present us with a meal of a lifetime celebrating Michael’s freedom was incredible. It’s my honor to have met them and I look forward to a return visit to Michigan, my new favorite state because of the special people like Cory, Nigel and Lynette.” The Michigan Cannabis Chefs have also catered meals for a few celebrities, including former NFL All-Pro kicker Pat McAfee, who hired the company to provide gourmet are for his wedding reception. If you want to stand out as a host or hostess, Michigan Cannabis Chefs’ catering service will work with you to design a menu and set the level of infusion you desire. You may want to have a mixed menu as well, with some dishes clearly marked as cannabis infused and others marijuana-free but tasty and savory just the same.
Elevated grilled vegetable salad with garlic shrimp and house made bread
Many of the company’s clientele come to Southwest Michigan, where they rent an Airbnb and relish a fine dining experience expertly created by Chefs Roberts and Douglas. It’s an ironic twist of fate that cannabis, once the source of Roberts’ darkest days when he found himself behind bars because of his refusal to stop smoking it, is now central to a growing business footprint that also includes Michigan Cannabis Farms LLC and Michigan CannaHouse LLC. (The Roberts’ and Douglas are co-founders and co-partners in the venture). The state, after throwing the book at him years ago, is now providing Roberts with financial assistance through its social equity program. The help comes in the form of reduced licensing fees and educational and business resources for people from communities that have been disproportionally impacted by the state’s previous marijuana laws. “I have an entity approval from the state for Michigan CannaHouse,” he said. “We are seeking a production, processing, and retail designated consumption and special event license at a location in the City of Muskegon. This will allow us to grow, process and sell cannabis, as well as have a designated space for consumption on the premises with a special events coordinator license. “ Michigan CannaHouse is the parent company of the trio’s operation, which blends science and art from the farm to the table to provide consumers with a tasty and memorable experience. Make no mistake: it’s not easy to make high-end meals with cannabis. That’s why you may be better served leaving this new gourmet culinary endeavor to the trained and experienced team of Cannabis Chefs. Check them out at www.micannabichefs.com
Grilled lobster tail and lamb lollipop with a rustic apple chutney
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SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Great Lakes Natural Remedies BENZONIA STORE MATCHES OUTDOOR VIBE OF COMMUNITY COLIN MERRY FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE Great Lakes Natural Remedies, which has been selling medical marijuana in Benzonia since December 2019, expanded its business to include recreational adult-use marijuana in April 2020. Great Lakes Natural Remedies is located at 1983 Benzie Highway in Benzonia. “Everything we sell is personally vetted; it’s clean medicine,” said Sarah Foss, chief sales and marketing officer for Great Lakes Natural Remedies. “We believe we can truly help our patients.” Foss said Great Lakes Natural Remedies is vertically integrated, and cultivates, processes and provides in-house grown flowers. “We have our own genetics, to keep quality up,” Foss said. “Most of our strains are testing in the mid 20s in the percentile for potency of THC. We do have a few lower. We also have a few brands of concentrate.” She said they have several other local brands, and Rick Simpson Oil, a full spectrum cannabis oil used by cancer patients. Great Lakes Natural Remedies also sells edibles, including gummies, baked goods, chocolates and mints. “We also have vape pens,” Foss said. “They’ve all been tested in accordance with the vitamin E acetate rules that have come out lately.” Foss said the recreational side of the business
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will be mostly the same types of products. She said Great Lakes Natural Remedies has plans to open stores across Michigan, and Benzonia is the first open location. Other locations will include Battle Creek, Manistee, Muskegon, Warren, Saginaw County and Spaulding Township. “We try make each store fit each community,” Foss said. “Benzonia is a little more rustic. It makes customers feel comfortable. We’re trying to fit the outdoor vibe of the community. It’s not quite as boutique as the other places.” Foss said employees are trained to be professional and help get customers the right products for their own unique needs.
Great Lakes Natural Remedies opened its Benzonia location to dispense medical marijuana in December 2019. It expanded to include recreational adult-use marijuana in April 2020. (Colin Merry/Record Patriot)
“Everybody believes cannabis is a quality-of-life product and plant,” she said. Great Lakes Natural Remedies’ main campus for growing is in Saginaw, but Foss said they hope to have growing facilities throughout the state. “We’re excited to have the first retail location open, and having it open in the Benzonia area is exciting,” said Trevor Wisniewski, president of Great Lakes Natural Remedies Inc. “As a small child, I grew up driving from Saginaw up to fish on the Betsie, Manistee and Platte rivers.” Wisniewski said a portion of the proceeds from the Benzonia store would go to the Conservation Resource Alliance to help protect the Betsie River. For more information on Great Lakes Natural Remedies, visit myglnr.com.
Great Lakes Natural Remedies in Benzonia has a variety of flower and other cannabis products available for medical marijuana patients, and soon recreational adult-use. (Colin Merry/Record Patriot)
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Terpenes: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT DO THEY DO? JUNE POTTER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
of eucalyptol diffused in the air. Their cognitive and behavioral status improved within days. The cannabis plant is a good source of geraniol. This compound has strong antioxidant effects and may suppress tumor growth. Moreover, it sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy agents.
Most plants have built-in defense mechanisms that protect them from deterring herbivores. Terpenes, a class of organic compounds, play a key role in this process. These substances occur naturally in the cannabis plant. They are also found in rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, and evergreen shrubs.
Current evidence suggests that geraniol may protect against breast, skin, liver, and colon cancers. It also appears to benefit those with melanoma, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer.
In addition to their protective role, terpenes give plants their distinctive aroma. Due to their therapeutic properties, they may help with pain management, stress relief, inflammation, and more. You might have heard about linalool, myrcene, limonene, and other terpenes. Myrcene, for example, occurs naturally in sweet citrus fruits, cannabis, and other plants. Due to its analgesic effect, it may help reduce pain and promote relaxation. Cannabis terpenes are particularly beneficial for human health. These aromatic compounds may improve sleep, decrease anxiety, and relieve depression. They’re also responsible for the so-called entourage effect — but more on that later.
in citrus fruits, thyme, and other plants. Oranges and lemons won’t get you high — and the same goes for pure CBD oil. The terpenes in cannabis are extremely varied, and each has distinct properties. These include but are not limited to: •
Myrcene
•
Limonene
•
Terpinolene
But how do terpenes work? Most importantly, which ones are best for you? Here’s what you should know about these fragrant compounds and their surprising health benefits!
•
Alfa- and beta-pinene
•
Bergamotene
•
Linalool
•
Caryophyllene
WHAT ARE CANNABIS TERPENES?
•
Delta-3-Carene
•
Eucalyptol
•
Humulene
•
Camphene
The cannabis plant contains more than 150 different terpenes and 100 cannabinoids. Terpenes are volatile oils that attract pollinators and repel predators. They’re also responsible for the distinctive fragrance of various cannabis strains. These fragrant substances have a wide range of therapeutic uses. Some may protect against cancer. Others can help ease anxiety, reduce pain, and ward off infections. Terpenes are non-psychoactive. These compounds can be found
Linalool, for example, occurs in cannabis, mint, lavender, and some mushrooms. This compound exhibits anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and sedative effects. It also supports neural function and may benefit people with epilepsy.
HOW CANNABIS TERPENES WORK Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and other
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CBD products are used for their analgesic, sedative, and antioxidant effects. For example, one study has found that CBD reduced anxiety in nearly 80% of patients. Subjects also experienced better sleep. These benefits are due to cannabinoids and terpenes, which work synergistically to improve your health. That’s what the entourage effect of CBD is all about. Simply put, the different compounds in cannabis are more potent when used together. The synergy between terpenes and cannabinoids may help with anxiety and other conditions. Furthermore, many terpenes interact with each other — not just with cannabinoids. That’s why it’s recommended to use full-spectrum hemp products. After ingestion, terpenes bind to specific receptors in the central nervous system. They also interact with cell membranes, enzymes, and muscle ion channels. These interactions may trigger cancer cell death and relieve pain, among other benefits. Limonene, for instance, has a stimulating effect. Linalool relaxes the mind and body. Myrcene exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic activities.
POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF TERPENES Now that you know more about terpenes, you may be wondering how they benefit your health. Let’s start with myrcene, one of the most abundant terpenes in the cannabis plant. This compound occurs in most cannabis strains, especially indica, and has sedative effects. It’s particularly effective against pain and inflammation. For this reason, it may benefit people with arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or injuries. Alpha- and beta-pinene are found in cannabis, sage, basil, and orange peel. These terpenes can boost your energy and brainpower. At the same time, they protect against oxidative damage, suppress inflammation, and ward off anxiety. Borneol may help relieve pain, dilate the airways, and prevent infections. It also has a mild sedative effect. Eucalyptol, another beneficial compound, suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. For this reason, it’s often used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. A recent study assessed its effects on the cognitive function of older adults with dementia. Subjects were exposed to varying amounts
Other terpenes, such as humulene and linalool, are just as beneficial. Humulene, for example, may decrease inflammation and improve appetite control. Linalool supports mental health and immune function. Again, it’s important to choose quality CBD products. Not all formulas are rich in terpenes. Plus, different cannabis strains have different concentrations of terpenes and cannabidiol. Look for blends that contain high doses of terpenes. These compounds have no side effects and can be used on a daily basis. If you have a balanced diet, you’re already getting terpenes from the foods you eat.
RESTORE YOUR HEALTH AND ENERGY LEVELS The cannabis plant is one of the best natural sources of terpenes. These volatile compounds may improve your health and energy levels, keep your brain sharp, and boost immunity. Some have been shown to protect against cancer and reduce seizures. Terpenes are not the only beneficial compounds in cannabis, though. This plant also contains CBD, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that support overall health. Interested to know more? You’re in the right place. Browse the rest of our blog to learn more about legal marijuana, CBD, and everything cannabis-related!
Winter 2021| MIGreenState
Cannabis Beverages Poised to Quench Michiganders' Thirst for Alternative to Alcohol JON BECKER FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE
my-like edibles. Use it in balms and oils to rub on achy body parts. There’s even a high-end trend, one that Muskegon-based Michigan Cannabis Marijuana has long been linked with Chef is a leader in: Gourmet meals different countries and cultures across featuring cannabis-infused dishes. A the globe. Many firmly believed glass of wine may have stood the test in its medicinal benefits, physical of time as an appropriate compliemotional and mental. Other cultures ment to a fine dining experience, but touted its spiritual properties and welcome to 2021: The rules of the used it as part of religious ceremogame are changing. Michigan seems nies. Cannabis is one of the world’s poised to offer cannabis consumers oldest cultivated plants. In ancient yet another option in which to enjoy Hindu scriptures known as The their beloved plant: Cannabis-Infused Vedas, cannabis is listed as one of five Beverages. sacred plants, a liberating leafy herb Stoking the excitement about this that smoked anxiety and promoted possibility is a technical bulletin happy, often creative moods. issued just after the first of the year by Adult use cannabis has only been the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory legal, medically and recreationally Agency. Titled “Process to Obtain in Michigan for a short time, but it Agency Approval for Production of has taken off here like a rocket ship Marijuana-Infused Beverages. “ The launched out of Cape Canaveral. You bulletin offers guidance “for the subcan smoke it. Vape it. Eat it in gummission and approval of a marijua-
na-infused beverage.” It also outlines the state’s expectations for product development and ongoing research and development. Requirements include that all marijuana-infuses beverages should be produced in such a way to ensure a product is safe for ingestion and consistent in production. It also must be “shelf-stable,” meaning they must be able to be stored at room temperatures, per the USDA. For the time being, that stipulation rules out refrigerated beverages. Licensed adult-use marijuana dispensaries may not sell or allow the consumption of alcohol on their premises. Officials noted that in 2016, the Michigan legislature established cannabis standards that many considered the toughest in the nation. Since then those standards have been modified a number of times. Michigan would join other states such as
Colorado and California which have already tapped into this new legal marijuana drinks market. “We are excited about the proposed changes coming that will allow cannabis-infused beverages,” said Cory Roberts, a dedicated disciple of cannabis consumption and co-owner of Michigan Cannabis Chefs. “This will be great for the designated consumption lounges and consumers looking for an alternative to alcohol consumption and the bar scene.” Consumers should not expect to find ganja beverages at party stores or grocery stores. At least not initially, as state law currently doesn’t allow for them to be sold other than at licensed and regulated marijuana dispensaries. There’s still a lot to sort out surrounding product standards, research and regulations before Michigan residents
can expect to have the opportunity to sip on a ganja-infused beverage. Don’t be surprised, though, when the day comes when you’re at a dinner party and a guest orders a bud—and they’re not referring to a beer. “I believe that it’s great that the state is moving towards giving patients more of a variety of other infused products like beverages”, said Evan Clegg, a manager at OZ Cannabis, a Michigan-based vertically integrated cannabis company. “If the state does approve them, I think it would be great to have on our shelves. We are always happy to provide another option for customers.” Roberts agrees. “For us, it will provide another revenue stream as an added dimension to the products offered at our retail store and designated consumption establishments that are in the works.”
did you know?
$77,609
Median household income nationwide of adults who bought items from a dispensary in the past 30 days (Nielsen Scarborough)
38.5 Volume 1 | Winter 2021
Median age nationwide of adults who bought items from a dispensary in the past 30 days (Nielsen Scarborough)
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