Sarah Lee
Gossett Parrish Excellence. Efficiency. Integrity.
405/815-3434 slgparrish@slgparrishlaw.com www.sarahleegossettparrish.com
lawyer cannabis | litigation | oil & gas
Take My
Arm By James Bridges
If you’ve ever had a spider bite you know the discomfort feeling. It’s somewhere between the itch of a mosquito bite and the deep tingling of an open wound. It’s rather irritating and strange. I discovered such a bite on my arm a couple of weeks ago. Instantly I wanted to scratch it and make it go away. Those that have been there know how difficult it is to resist temptation… However, I was luckily able to conjure up the strength. I looked at the bite/gash (that would probably eat my arm off) and started thinking. I was curious why I wanted it gone so badly. I thought of something unique. At least it helped me silence my desire to scratch. My mind was telling my body that something is out of whack. My animal instincts were begging me to remove whatever was out whack so that I could carry on in comfort. The skin that covers my arm, where the spider “attack” occurred, had been the same smooth formation for years. Now something has come along to change it. “Change” is a mild way of addressing it compared to the thoughts rushing through my head at the time. What had really been flowing were terrifying thoughts of a creature gnawing away at parts of who I was. This creature wanted to attack me in ways that had never been done. Afterall, this was my first spider bite. One could only assume. It wasn’t as if this spider was trying to communicate or let me know why it wanted to “eat” me. I assumed that this spider cared nothing of the soul inside of the skin that it was now devouring. Nibbling just enough to get it’s fill in the middle of the night while I’m silenced by my slumber. I automatically assumed that it would repeatedly return and cowardly eat more and more of my arm. It would ingest my other limbs at some point. Meanwhile I would sleep and scratch and hope that things would get better. I then realized what I needed to do. I realized that this was all in my own head. I only wanted to scratch because there was something different about my arm. It wasn’t all that bad. The thought of a spider biting me terrified me, but it wasn’t bad in reality. So I decided to embrace it. I didn’t take it personally. I knew that the spider needed to bite on something. I also knew that once I accepted and evolved to the change the spider bite would eventually become a part of me. There was no “removing” of it. It wasn’t possible. Instead there was a lesson. One of embracing obstacles and accepting them as part of myself.
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Herbage Magazine
The
Cover By Shannon Seitter MoeD ART
Shannon Seitter began a career in art at an early age self teaching to sketch..Shannon was inspired by the junior high art teacher. Shannon watched her paint across canvas and was awestruck by her ability to bring such beauty. Shannon began a venture into painting. While beginning small and then grew through watching and observing other artists’ use of different mediums and techniques. Shannon began to grow a personal method of art. After Shannon’s grandmother passed away, “I buried myself in my art and began to grow and use it not to just help myself through grief but bring beauty to others who also needed it. My art has been my passion.” Shannon has always amazed Herbage Magazine. “It is a beautiful and therapeutic way to express myself and bring additional beauty to the world. I love sharing my art with everyone and enjoy when someone connects to my art as I have. Each piece I create has a personal connection to me.” Shannon’s hope is to bring more art to Oklahoma City and connect with more people who love the process of creation. “I love working with other artists and bringing something new to life that didn’t exist. I find my inspiration in all things in life but from a new point of view.” shannonseitter73@gmail.com Facebook @moedartokc Instagram moedartokc Operations Manager Jasmine Harvey jasmine@herbagemag.com
Advertising Manager Tarra Quinn Tarra@herbagemag.com
Contest Liason Katie Hazen Katie@herbagemag.com
Legal Guide & Wisdom Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish slgparrish@slgparrishlaw.com
1ST KNIGHT - JOEOKIE
Cannabis Insurance Expert ALL SMOK Insurance Scott Wallach Scott@allsmokinsurance.com
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Owner & Publisher James Bridges James@HerbageMag.Com
If you have any questions or concerns about Herbage Magazine please feel free to contact me directly.
PG 3 | TAKE MY ARM BY JAMES BRIDGES PG 5 | SANTA’S MAGIC BY CARISA ROWE PG 9-17| FEMININE DIVINE CANOKIE BUDS BY VERONICA CASTILLO PG 19 | THE SEED OF LIFE BY BROOK MILLER PG 23 | UNIVERSAL CANNABIS 101 BY JASMINE HARVEY PG 25 | THIN GREEN LINE BY CHARLES “UNCLE CHUCK” DUNCAN PG 27 | LOTUS LETTERS BY KATHY LONG-BARKER PG 29-33 | PROGRESSIVELY GROWING PROGRESSIVE FARMS BY JAMES BRIDGES PG 37 | STRAIN OF THE MONTH GOING BANANAS BY JAMES BRIDGES PG 39-41 | 24 CARAT TRAJECTORY GOLDEN TRENDS BY CONTRACTED AUTHOR PG 43-45 | BIG HOUSES BY ANNA ERVIN PG 46 | 2021 COWBOY CUP WINNERS LIST PROVIDED BY THE COWBOY CUP PG 49 | MY STORY GETS HAPPIER BY ANNA ERVIN PG 51-53 | CURED RESIN - 2021 COWBOY CUP BY CARISA ROWE PG 55-59 | FEMININE DIVINE CANOKIE BUDS BY VERONICA CASTILLO PG 63-65 | THE GAFFNIES BY MICHAEL KINNEY PG 66 | NICE TO CATCH UP BY JAMES BRIDGES
Santa’s Magic By Carisa Rowe
Before you read this article, Google “old school Christmas cards”. Use retro, vintage, or even Victorian as descriptors. In fact, Google “Victorian Christmas cards” because – well, I don’t wanna spoil your trip. When you return from your journey through the Christmas Absurdia, I’d like to call your attention to a theme you may not have noticed. When I close my eyes and imagine one of these relics of Christmas past – a card lovingly stowed in my grandmother’s memories box, I picture a rosy-cheeked Santa, standing to the left of his cart and reindeer. In the background, snow covered spruce and pine trees line the horizon. In the glow of the vignette, woodland animals like frolic. On this card, and many others like it, scattered in the sparkling frost are small, red mounds flecked with white specks . Closer inspection reveals these mounds to be mushrooms – Amanita muscaria to be accurate. The realization recalls the assorted mercury glass ornaments familiar to my childhood. The red and white mushrooms are recognizable to folks familiar with entheogens and hallucinogens and their image is the one most associated with psychedelic mushrooms. A sudden memory of dangling fungus ornament, with hundreds of colored lights glinting off its metallic finish, drives my curiosity to uncover the relationship between hallucinogenic mushrooms and jolly, ole St. Nick. Psychedelic Santa isn’t all that far-fetched considering the guy believes reindeer can fly. The legend of Santa Claus has been traced back nearly eighteen centuries to a monk known as St. Nicholas who lived in what is now Turkey. Saint Nicholas of Myra was a benevolent monk who traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick, all the while gifting his inherited wealth as he went. St. Nicholas’ legend stretched across countries and continents for centuries. Each rendition of the revered do-gooder evolved with the retelling of his great works until the legend of St. Nicholas eventually landed in New York, New York in the 1770s with Dutch immigrants who had gathered to honor “Sinter Klaas”. Saint Nicholas was an early Christian bishop and is often depicted with short hair and a low beard, wearing ceremonial robes and habit, adorned with crosses. As the lore of the Grecian saint was adopted throughout Europe, the visage of the philanthrope evolved to the fur-flocked, bearded hippie we all know and love. When Christianity spread into northern Europe and the arctic circle, crusaders were forced to adapt their stories and legends to align with the deeply engrained pagan beliefs and practices of these regions. Much of the traditions we uphold in modern Christmas celebrations are continuations of pagan practices that were adopted by early Christians in order to integrate their faith with resistant civilizations throughout Nordic and tribal civilizations in Europe. The most familiar décor in modern Christmas harkens on pagan beliefs about nature, winter, the sun, and the moon. In particular, the practices that integrate parts of the hardy natural world into everyday life are of note. Guided by shamans and sages, northern Europeans of the era honored nature, the moon, and the sun with traditions surrounding winter solstice. Modern Christmas practices include evolutions of these Saturnalia celebrations. Feasting and gift-giving in these cultures lasted for days and combatted the harsh winter nights with community gatherings and rituals believed to please the g-d so that it would renew the cycle and bring bountiful agriculture in the coming seasons. Wreaths of evergreen are a tribute of Yule to show the promise of spring. In fact, the integration of much of the plant symbology familiar to Christmas comes from these Scandinavian and Germanic civilizations. Decorating evergreens, Yule logs, holly, and mistletoe are all relics of winter solstice celebrations. It reasons then that the small red and white mushrooms that have inconspicuously appeared in Christmas imagery for centuries must also hold some relevance to the etymology of Christmas – and Santa Claus.
Carisa Rowe is:
A commercial cultivator A writer An event producer A processor & consultant She serves as VP of Oklahoma Womxn Cann Association (OWxCA) Carisa loves two outstanding teenagers, a gaggle of dogs, and dancing. Instagram @groovygrower thatgroovygrower@gmail.com,
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The Pagans of northern Europe and the Arctic circle were deeply spiritual. They revered nature as a manifestation of the favor the g-ds. Shamans were the leaders of settlements and guided people to participate in rituals that played tribute to and incorporated elements of nature to please the g-ds. Evidence of hallucinogen use by spiritual leaders is well-documented in civilizations across the globe so it should not be controversial to suggest that Amanita muscaria, the small red and white mushrooms of Christmas fame – which happen to grow symbiotically with spruce and pine trees, bare some significance to Santa Claus and Christmas rituals. During the northern winters, shamans were tasked with upholding the morale of the community through the short days and long nights in harsh conditions. Freezing temperatures and deep snowfall would drive people into their shelters for days on end, to venture out only when necessary or compelled. Ensuring that people stay sane and well-connected to themselves, each other, and the natural world, shamans would guide their communities to model after the g-ds. Norse g-d Odin was known for his ability to take spirit-journeys, where he could disconnect his spirit from his body and travel great distances incorporeal to carry out his intentions or the errands of his dominion. The Koryak are Siberian people indigenous to the coast of the Bering Sea (between Russia and Alaska) who venerated the red and white fungus as a gift from Big Raven, the first shaman of their peoples and the spirit responsible for human life. In these northern civilizations, shamans would consume entheogens such as Amanita muscarium so that they could take spirit journeys, commune with the g-ds, and connect with nature. These pagan ceremonies relied on totems, relics, and aesthetic mimicry to pay homage to their g-ds, while hallucinogens such Amanita muscaria were ingested to strengthen the tether to the spirit realm. Many of these ceremonies occur outside, even in winter, to be as closely connected to the natural world as possible. In the coastal Koryak civilization, legend tells of fishers sitting on the cliffs of the Bering Sea, laughing wildly with joy while tripping on A. muscaria. The winter gods of these civilizations were depicted with long hair and heavily bearded, shrouded in cloaks and furs, an adaptation that the people of these regions would also have developed, particularly the shamans, who would have wanted to model themselves as closely after the gods as possible. The Christian narrative absorbed great influences as it integrated into the pagan consciousness. The most obvious examples of the impact that pagan culture had on Christianity are at the holidays. Historical Saint Nicholas was a Grecian bishop turned Turkish monk who lived circa 400 CE who traveled the countryside giving gifts and teaching about wellness of spirit, mind, and body. Modern Christmas features Santa Claus, brightly clad in a vibrant red robe fringed with a white, fur habit and topped by a red and white stocking. He is often hovering near decorated evergreen trees, surrounded by animals, and poised hand out gifts and treats that will bring merriment to all. Santa Claus is the cultural evolution of the legend of St. Nick, as his work transcended seventeen centuries and countless mythologies to teach us that to do the work of g-ds, you must transcend the barrier between the physical and spiritual.
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Oklahoma’s
Fresh Sesh Spots by Anna Ervin
What truly sets Oklahoma apart from other cannabis-friendly states, is that SQ 788 was set up to allow cannabis patients to medicate anywhere that cigarette smoke is allowed. Granted, private businesses and establishments may have their own set of rules, creating a bit of uncertainty around where it is or isn’t okay to consume. To make things a little easier, I’ve created a list of 420-friendly establishments, ranging from large to small, that openly allow cannabis-consumption on-site. Is this a list of every 420-friendly space in the state? Absolutely not. Oklahoma knows no bounds when it comes to creative entrepreneurs opening up lounges, concert venues, and coffee shops with cannabis-consumption in mind. It seems as though new spots are popping up daily, and there are a plethora of great venues that invite patients to medicate openly. And while I’d love to include every single venue on the list, today I’ve chosen some of our favorite locations here at Herbage, and divided them into four categories. Community and Culture spaces serve as great settings for large industry events and markets, while the Elegance and Style locations offer an opportunity to host more intimate gatherings in atmospheres curated with luxury in mind. As far as the Shop and Sesh or Food & Drink categories go, well, I think those are pretty self-explanatory. So, whether you’re looking for a venue to reserve for your next holiday event, or simply a place to sit down and enjoy your medicine in peace, I’m positive you’ll find the perfect smoke spot using this guide!
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For Community & Culture
Tumbleweed Dance Hall is a name many Oklahomans have been familiar with, long before cannabis became legal in our state. I remember growing up in FRESH SESH SPOT Western Oklahoma and hearing about the notorious “Calf Fry” event, held at the Stillwater venue each spring, which invites college students and young adults from all over the state to enjoy a weekend packed full of live music, beer, and of course, calf fries. Today, the festival continues to live up to it’s legacy and work in sync with Oklahoma’s budding cannabis industry, adding brands like Cowboy Cup, Prime Time Cannabis, and our very own Herbage Magazine to it’s roster of vendors.
Lakeview &, N Country Club Rd, Stillwater, OK 74075
However, what makes Tumbleweed’s space so special to Herbage is the annual Cowboy Cup that takes place on the grounds of the indoor/outdoor facility each December. This two day event was triple-crowned Oklahoma’s best Cannabis Industry Event, Best Cannabis Cup, and Best Cannabis Festival in our 2021 Best Of Contest. Drawing in a crowd of young adults, business owners, cannabis connoisseurs, and industry experts, the Cowboy Cup’s mission is to give the community an opportunity to learn, celebrate, medicate, and network while also introducing at least a dozen different musical and artistic performances. While Tumbleweed may be a little too sizable for most people to consider hosting an event here, you can always stop by Thursday through Saturday night to check out the facility and enjoy some live country tunes.
OKC Farmer’s Market In the heart of OKC sits the state’s oldest and most historic event space, first opened in 1928 on the grounds of Delmar Garden’s Amusement Parks. Fast forward to today, you might stumble upon a roller derby match, edm concert, or one of many private events that take place in the second-story ballroom. FRESH SESH SPOT There’s something whimsical about the atmosphere inside the Farmer’s Market building, whether you’re picking out fresh produce early one Saturday morning, or bobbing your head to one of your favorite local sounds, it’s impossible not to recognize the historic features that mark the venue. At this point you might be wondering why I’ve included this space without a single mention of cannabis, but I promise we’re getting there. While I wouldn’t recommend sparking a joint next to Mama Sarah and her three kiddos as they browse the venue’s weekly Farmers Market, I will suggest keeping an eye out for some of our state’s most exclusive cannabis industry events that tend to pop up here from time to time, such as Cloud Fest, Phreshtival, and Cough Fest. Like Tumbleweed, this massive space could host at least 20 times the crowd you might draw in for a community “pot”-luck or small event. The real potential here lies in an opportunity to host that cannabis-friendly wedding you’ve always dreamed of (I cannot be alone in this). According to their website, the OKC Farmer’s Market building has hosted many happy brides and grooms, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of those clients were invested in *ahem* greener wedding practices.
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Gateway Event Center - Tulsa The Gateway Event Center, tucked into the southeast corner of Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, offers a unique, eclectic vibe that seems to flow naturally throughout the building. Outside you can find the walls of the building blanketed in colorful murals and graffiti art that contribute a playful feel to the surrounding streets.
FRESH SESH SPOT
When I asked Andrew of Sherweed Forest, why he chose the venue to host his first ever Throwdown Bazaar, he told me that the Gateway Event Center was special for them because “it felt like there was an opportunity to tell a story there that had not yet been told.” 851 E Admiral Blvd Tulsa, OK 74120
“It’s not Cain’s Ballroom or one of the current trend spaces,” Andrew said, “so I felt it was a place for us to make our mark on the city of Tulsa.”
Throwdown Bazaar is the first event I have attended at Gatewood, but it certainly won’t be my last. The building offers an open concept, serving as the perfect space for a vendor’s market, and according to Andrew, the manager of the property encourages the cannabis community to rent the space. “We plan to use the space for months to come as long as we keep seeing success and growth in what we’re doing,” he reported.
For Elegance and Style
Hempton Heights - Vinita This list would not be complete without our favorite weekend getaway. Tucked into the northeast corner of the state, Hempton Heights serves as the perfect spot for family reunions, weddings, retreats, or industry conventions. Owners Nicole Holt and Jeff Lipe designed this cannabis-friendly, boutique-style resort to host guests who just want to medicate in peace. With over 16 uniquely styled accommodations (some featuring jacuzzis), a salt-water swimming pool, event barn, and 30 acres of woodland to explore, hosting a gathering, or even just finding a little time for yourself at Hempton is sure to feel like a luxury treat. The best part? You can find a dispensary on site offering some of Oklahoma’s favorite medicine.
918-782-6113 info@hemptonheights.com
The Magnolia - OKC You know those old loft-style apartments that sit on top of old buildings? The ones with beautifully aged wooden-framed windows blanketing the walls, and layers of paint and plaster exposing old brick foundations… That’s what stepping into The Magnolia feels like, perched on the top floor of a historic building primely located in OKC’s Automobile Alley. Home of one of Oklahoma’s popular cannabis meet-ups, The Sesh, this venue offers a vintage-styled, open-concept space perfect for weddings, intimate events, large classes, and industry gatherings. Natural light fills the space from nearly all directions during the day, and glittering twinkle lights blanket the ceiling to illuminate the room at night. However, my favorite time of day at the Magnolia is right before sunset, when golden sunlight spills in through the windows on the west side of the building, highlighting glimpses of OKC’s downtown skyline. Now add a little smoke to the setting and you’ll understand why this venue made the list as one of my favorite consumption-friendly event spaces.
722 N Broadway Ave, OKC, OK (405) 410-6196
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Agora - Tulsa Featuring a breathtaking view of Tulsa’s city skyline, Agora offers an elegantly decorated space for intimate community events, weddings, and meetings. While their website doesn’t advertise a consumption friendly venue, Agora has hosted some of our friends and fellow patients for some pretty great community events, like Kenny Wilmath’s Herb&Art Night, or the recent 1-year anniversary of The Sesh. When I asked William Nagy, co-owner/coordinator of The Sesh about the venue, he reported that Agora exceeded expectations. “We chose this place because every inch of it felt classy and comfortable. We are looking forward to booking this venue again.”
FRESH SESH SPOT 1402 S Peoria Ave #200, Tulsa, OK 74120 918.819.1044
For Shopping and Seshing
Gator Alley - OKC Nestled into Oklahoma City’s downtown area, PlantMed created their 420-friendly patio with patients in mind, providing a safe and convenient space for outdoor consumption. Adjacent to the dispensary, Gator Alley is open to patients Monday through Sunday, but occasionally reserves the space for birthday parties, industry events, classes, and so much more. All talk of convenience aside, you can count on finding some of Oklahoma’s favorite brands on display inside the dispensary, as well as one unique feature that truly sets this space apart from the rest. Plant Med is home to one of the first fully customizable blunt bars in the state, and this just might be the reason Gator Alley was voted as Best Sesh Spot in Herbage Magazine’s Best Of contest earlier this year.
Smoklahoma - Tulsa The newest spot on the list, Smoklahoma Lounge in Tulsa, is just opening up their space for private events this month. Complete with a dab bar, pool table, free wifi, and storefront loaded with smoking accessories, this 4000 square foot space serves as the perfect setting for parties, meetings, or a quick sesh with friends. While you don’t need an OMMA license to visit Smoklaho- FRESH SESH SPOT ma, as with any sesh spot, you will need one in order to medicate. Low stash? Stop by the Mary Mind Dispensary located just next door!
1865 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa
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The Cowboy Cup
Cured Resin Cartridge Winners By Carisa Rowe
Dried and cured resin is the base extract in a significant number of cannabis concentrates, including vape cartridges. Coveted for its full spectrum experience, cured resin boasts high potencies while keeping valuable terpene profiles intact, resulting in a more complete medicating experience. Resin, in the cannabis sector, refers to the sticky, waxy substance that is extracted from mature cannabis flower. Comprised mostly of microscopic trichome heads and oily terpenes, resin is a powerful goo harvested with the intentions of delivering a powerful medicating experience. In fact, cured resin is one of the leading products used to create edibles, topicals, tinctures, and a variety of dabs. Cured resin is made from dried, cured cannabis flower. The material is ground and packed into a vacuum-sealed column that is then filled with clean, high purity butane. Butane is a solvent that breaks the cannabinoid-rich trichomes away from the plant material. After soaking for a period of time, the butane – now carrying terpenes, THC, and other cannabinoids is flushed out of the column and sent through a purging process. The purge is where solvent residues are removed before sending the concentrated material to cure, which removes trace solvents from the cured resin. Extraction specialists then take the cured extract and turn it into the final product. Cured resin cartridges, like the ones these winners have manufactured, are fast on the rise for smart consumers who want the convenience of on the go concentrates with a medicating experience that feels more like whole plant medicine.
3rd Place Hybrid Ripstick from Escalated Greens Escalated Greens’ Hybrid Ripstick features a full gram of BHO cured resin in their proprietary, disposable cartridge and battery. The vertically integrated facility, located on the west side of Lake Eufala, grows the flower that their lab processes into cured resin for the Ripstick. Extractors Gavin and Tristan hold down the lab every day, taking the craft cannabis grown on site from flower form down to pure concentrates that are then manufactured into award-winning Ripsticks and grams of dabs. The concentrates that Gavin and Tristan create are the very same concentrates used to power Escalated Greens’ delicious, full-spectrum edibles lines. The lab uses whole plant material to create their custom concentrates and blends. Their butane honey oil (BHO) process undergoes extreme purging to remove solvent residues from the final product, resulting in clean medicine that tastes like the plants it was made form. Escalated Greens is staffed by a tightly-knit team of Eufala locals that understand the value of good medicine. Gavin and Tristan, along with the cultivation team, the kitchen crew, dispensary staff, and office personnel, take deep pride in crafting cannabis products with their community in mind.
2nd Place Rude Boi from 64 Farms
The Rude Boi cured resin cart from 64 Farms is a fan favorite for effect and flavor. The folks at 64 Farms use whole plant methodologies to craft their cured resins. They have developed products with three mentalities in mind: FLOW; curated to help you unwind and socialize, FOCUS; curated to draw out your creativity and clarity, and FINALLY; a premium-extract, nighttime blend designed to help you rest and rejuvenate. The 64 Farms guarantee is an assurance that they will always create their medicine through whole plant processing. When sourcing plant material from Oklahoma growers, the 64 Farms team chooses cultivators who have shown to be ethical, who practice truly organic gardening and pest management, and who practice sustainability. The lab team at 64 Farms incorporates natural, cannabis-derived terpenes into their proprietary blends to ensure the most bioavailable medicating experience they can provide. Their full spectrum terpene profiles deliver a flavorful, enjoyable medicating experience that patients rely on time and time again. Their products are intentionally crafted with safety, quality assurance, testing, and training in mind during every step of the manufacturing process. They take time to triple test batches so that patients can rely on the information they provide with the medicine they sell. The pride of 64 Farms is delivering safe, clean, reliable medicine to every Oklahoma cannabis patient.
Winner Gelato Cake from
Elite Cultivation Elite Cultivation has made it their mission to introduce to the cannabis industry a previously unseen level of precision in the growing and cultivation process. The company has built out more than 36,000 square feet of cultivation space. Their processing lab is responsible for turning cannabis flower into high-quality concentrates that are then manufactured into one of seventeen different products, which includes the Gelato Cake cured resin cart that earned them a buckle at this year’s Cowboy Cup. Relentless devotion drives the Elite Cultivation team to develop products that not only taste great but that provide a safe and reliable medicating experience. Their state-of-the-art facility in Wynnewood, OK is a particular point of pride for Elite Cultivation as it provides a clean space for them to do what they love: make medicine. The team cranks out premium quality flower on a rigorous schedule to keep patients stocked with their favorite buds, to stuff pre-rolls with, and to make premium grade concentrates for dabs, cartridges, and edibles. Their second-to-none customer service and professionalism sets the Elite team apart from their competitors. Their dedication to their consumers is the reason that patients chose them to take home the buckle!
For Food & Drinks
Three Cubed - OKC Located on the corner of Sheridan and 4th St in Downtown OKC, Three Cubed is a restaurant and bar with a 420 lounge on site. With a menu that serves a majority of dietary needs, and (in my opinion) some of the best cocktails in OKC, Three Cubed is a great spot to bring your laptop and finish up some work for a daytime sesh, or grab some friends and enjoy a toke with your meal, but their consumption-friendly lounge can also be rented out for private parties and events. Either way, make sure you check out their Boozy Brunch on the weekends!
800 NW 4th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 | (405) 242-3333
Tacos X Mezcal - Tulsa Word on the street is that you can find some of the best authentic Mexican street food in Tulsa at Tacos X Mezcal, located on SE 18th Street. After a little more digging I found that you can also book their patio for consumption-friendly parties. Offering a menu loaded with items made from fresh ingredients, including a plethora of vegan and vegetarian options (I am geekin’ out over this), I don’t see why TXMZ shouldn’t be at the top of your list for holiday parties, birthdays, or a classic lady’s night out. Taco Tuesdays anyone? 39 E 18th St, Tulsa, OK 74119
918-764-8666
The Beany Bar - Clinton, OK I just could not fathom putting this list out there without including one of my favorite places in the state. Aside from that, I haven’t had the opportunity to show Western Oklahoma any love, so that brings me to my final stop: The Beany Bar. Located between Weatherford and Clinton off of historic Route 66, this historic farmhouse has been redesigned as an open-concept bar and lounge that feels like home. The Beany Bar sits adjacent to and is under the same management as White Dog Hill, a scratch-kitchen steakhouse that offers western Oklahomans a unique experience. While you typically need a reservation to visit the steakhouse, the Beany Bar is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday. Perched on top of a hill that overlooks the city of Clinton, this spot offers one of the most whimsical sunset views in the state, in addition to some of the most unique cocktails I’ve ever seen. And while they don’t openly advertise a consumption-friendly space, I’ve had no issues bringing a vape pen or pre-roll and discreetly medicating on their outdoor patio. This one is worth the drive.
22901 Nth Rte 66 Frontage, Clinton, OK 73601 Wed - Sat 5:30PM - 9PM (580) 323-6922
FRESH SESH SPOT
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The Seed of
Life
By Brook Miller
I am extremely grateful for the Oklahoma cannabis community. I feel forever indebted to the community as a whole. To be writing this today is surreal. For all of us to have a platform to help others because cannabis is beyond me. Cannabis saved my life and continues to positively impact the lives of millions. There are countless lives that could have been saved and forever changed if you take away the absurd laws which we have been forced to live under in the past. I spent my early twenties running from the trauma of my best friends dying from overdoses due to opiates. My escape from that pain became a vicious cycle. After overdosing 6 years ago, I decided to dedicate my life to helping others not feel the pain that I did. I’m here to be the voice for every friend I’ve ever lost. To help someone still struggling. Cannabis has helped me tremendously in this journey. I want to spread the message of hope to anyone who is struggling. We can do this together. I ask you to become a part of Sherweed Forest and what we stand for. It is amazing. We are connecting patients with quality medicine and the people behind it. We would like to use this platform to continue to help others and spread awareness that there is a better way to a healthy sustainable life. I want to show others by example that everyone has a place here. We’re here to help others, to grow and evolve. Let’s do just that, together.
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Cannabis 101 Endocannabinoid System, cont’d... by Jasmine Harvey The Endocannabinoid System or ECS for short, is the backbone of regulation for your immune system, nervous system and organs. Due to the legalities of cannabis we are just now discovering many ways our ECS works. It is forever evolving. It has been discovered that naturally occurring endocannabinoids produced by our bodies and also the brain signalers are essential to human physiological function. Functions such as bone growth, appetite, blood pressure, immunity, pain, and so much more. Our ECS is found throughout our body and not a central location. Two key cannabinoids that are naturally produced by mammals bodies are Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol. Anandamide is a fat messenger (neurotransmitting lipid) which could be described as the body’s own natural THC. For example if you ate a chocolate bar it would stimulate the production of anamide which heightens the sensation of joy. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol is responsible for playing an important role in regulating our immune system and appetite. With more widened research, it is also believed that this aids in killing unhealthy cells such as cancer. These two beautiful endocannabinoids aid in so much and regulate even more. How these two cannabinoids pass through the body is through our Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. We will dive deeper into our CB1 and CB2 receptors coming next! The vast universe of Cannabis awaits! -Universe With Jaz
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By Charles “Uncle Chuck” Duncan The difference between Recreational and Medicinal Cannabis is a topic that brings much debate. Personally, I think the only difference is Tax Rate and Accessibility. Some say its all Recreational. Others say its all Medicinal. I tend to follow the philosophy that to have a healthy smile you need both. There is another issue at hand regarding medicinal cannabis that no one seems to want to talk about. And that is that cannabis does not “cure” anxiety nor depression. It helps alleviate the symptoms of both in some people. Read that again. Cannabis is not for everyone and it does not cure anything. But in order to talk about the benefits of using cannabis for anxiety and/or depression we must first understand that neither anxiety nor depression are things that get “cured”. They are mental health issues and not a cut that heals or bone that mends. Some people experience symptoms of anxiety or depression daily while others are a lot less frequent. Some symptoms may be more severe for you than others with the same challenges. But the point is, they don’t just get “healed” and go away. Its hard to argue that the person using cannabis to help increase their appetite so that in turn they can take other medication isn’t using it for medicinal purposes. Obviously they are. But I would ask you to consider that the person using cannabis in order to relax after a stressful day is also using it medicinally. Just for mental health as opposed to physical health. Pain Management comes in many forms. The bigger question that we should be asking is why are we allowing state and local governments to apply excise tax rates to cannabis and at higher rates for those they feel are buying it for “recreational” purposes. Just because they are treating their mental health personally and privately without the request of a doctor’s permission. Hopefully, sometime soon, we can eliminate this sideshow for the taxman and have meaningful arguments over cannabis. Like why isn’t there cannabis taught in science class? I have decided to focus a large part of Uncle Chuck’s Cannabis Camp (theuccc.com) to educating the heart and not just the mind when it comes to cannabis education. The ADaPT Program will highlight cannabis use for those facing PTSD-driven and NON-PTSD driven Anxiety or Depression.
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Lotus Letters By Kathleen Long-Barker
The cat was nowhere to be seen as you gulped down deep shuddering breaths in an attempt to regain yourself from the grips of searing radiating red. Hand comes to chest as you glance about the room. Books shudder in their shelves, fine china shivers behind glass. They do not feel any safer than if they were directly before you. For you see...the aggressor in question isn’t a physical one. Rather an energetic pulse that can not be avoided. Guilt blooms somewhere, enough to make you ease just a little. Just then, off of the shelf, a book leaps and crashes before you; opening to a page marked with an envelope. A red one.
Dearest Daring Divine,
Another lesson in the alchemizing of shadow is in order, I think. After all, books don’t often throw themselves from precipices. You must be in dire need, look at all of this miasma. ‘Did this letter just gesture vaguely to all of me?’ you wonder, squinting at the words. Oftentimes when we are having problems with another being, or a situation, what’s really happening is our individual cells are trying to inform us that we have been holding onto the very same energy that is currently jarring us. The annoying truth is that this particular lesson takes several reviews before it really sinks in for most of us. I’ll share an example: I know a Daffodil and a Dog that are the best of friends. They’re quite fond of one another despite being very different. The dog is feral, prickly, very loud and barks at quite a lot of things. The Daffodil is wild, soft, and bright while becoming fussy less frequently. One day the Daffodil bobbed its little face, telling the Dog how tired it’s become of it’s barking. She was miserable at times because of it! Or so she thought. Never mind the autumn leaves had been falling all around her bed, cramping her. Also never mind the wind, which was chilly! Even the Sun began visiting less and less. ‘But it must be the barking’ She thought. Some time later, more than three leaves toppled over onto her stalk. She shuddered before becoming enraged. Concerned, the Dog trotted over to see what was the matter. The wild little flower wasn’t feeling herself. She spewed and shrieked, flinging her poisonous pollen to and fro. The dog’s ears went back and he retreated a few steps, wishing he hadn’t inquired. She wished she could stop, she knew she was overreacting, but she kept on. The dog sat, waiting for a lull. ‘You know, not too long ago, you fussed at me for barking in general. Here you are barking at me for checking on you.’ The dog stated. The sunny little flower let out a tiny gasp and felt ashamed. He was right! Over many seasons, the dog never sneered at her fits or told her she was tired of them. He kept her company until the anger passed. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispered. She could see now her rage had nothing to do with him, just as his barking had nothing to do with her. She had behaved most hypocritically. Anger resides within, and it’s our responsibility to navigate it when it arises, not spew it about. In turn it is also our responsibility not to take on other people’s emotions. We can not control what others do, only how we respond. This Lotus Letter is dedicated To Johnny Barker Starglass
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Progressively Growing By James Bridges
A true vertical grow with family orientation. That’s what I had set out to go visit. I wanted nothing more than to feel as if I were around close families during the holidays. I believe I got my wish. Brian Goodwin was practicing pharmacy in Ada, OK with the Chickasaw Nation. His brother, Grant Hall, had a CPA practice. The father of the two brothers was a dentist. The family wanted to go into business for themselves. An opportunity presented itself for them to do so. They would also have the bonus of working collectively. “We had another investor. We all went in together.” Brian was to the point. “So we then had the financial means to begin. Now it was time for my brother and I to turn on the sweat equity. Here we are 3 years later and we feel like we’re getting better. We know it’s a very hard market right now. We’re doing everything we can to separate ourselves.” “If it were up to me we would have 8 dispensaries coming soon on a sign hanging everywhere.” Grant Hall, sweat equity and partner for Progressive Grow, laughed. Of course, then we would be spread too thin. My brother prevents me from overdoing it like that.” I watched Grant talk about the creation of Progressive Grow. He was so passionate and proud in his approach to this natural medicine. I could tell he was a driving force in the company that would carry them even farther down the path of success. Grant was motioning for me to follow him. “Our other partner is a really smart person. He started lot of companies. He’s very savvy. So when we ever get in a bind and we need some ‘real’ business advice, we go directly to him.” We walked down the hallway into the flower rooms. Exactly what I was there to see. I could smell happiness as the doors opened. There are thousands of growers in the Oklahoma cannabis market. They are competing for the same footprint. There are times I step back and take a look at the Oklahoma market and how far we have come and I can only say the word, wow! In order to stand out you must be on your A-game at all times. There most assuredly is no time to pause. Having the ability to adapt and evolve are the key components to surviving in this current environment.
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The first room we entered was huge. Karsten Thompson, flower manager, Clay Balthrop, grow manager, and Christian Colbert, assistant cultivation manager were introduced to me as “part of the team”. They wanted to be sure that I was aware they could not operate with only the people currently standing in the room. I feel it necessary to point out a great character indicator when I see one. So I did. I asked them all for some pointers for growers wanting to get in the industry. I received collective answers. “Don’t give up. It doesn’t fall into place right away. Be aware of shady people fronting as legitimate grows. They do exist. Sometimes you have to weave through some of the bad to find your place in the industry.” They also pointed out, “Don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s such a new industry that there’s not a set way to do anything. So there might be a better way to do everything. Keep experimenting and finding out.” I thought for a minute we were all going to high five. It was simply one of those moments. Grant could barely contain himself, “We used to have plants in here that would literally be hitting the top of the lights. They were so lush. So we started growing a ton of different strains. We were spending a lot more on genetics. We are trying to have first generation mother’s. We are now actually flowering out the clones to see which ones we like. Then we’re going to have the first generation mother’s always cloning. So, we are starting to run out of room.” He smiled.
Karsten Thompson - Clay Balthrop - Christian Colbert We both had a laugh as we looked around at the flowers. Such a wonderful sight. Some of the struggles they were facing are common among growers of all sizes. It’s a matter of dialing it in. Growers must consider doing things like changing the size of the pots. Small details that add major weight gain exponentially throughout each cycle. “This harvest right here is already cut by 40 lbs.” Grant pointed at the flower, “because the plants are too small. We are tweaking operations now to achieve a more full and lush harvest. Our HVAC is being upgraded from 30 tons up to 45 tons. Now we will have much more room. You see all the fans now and everything we have upgraded. We are probably going to be switching over to some high powered LEDs soon throughout the grow. We are also looking into an air scrubbing system that constantly scrubs the air clean. We are basically trying to do everything we can to get dialed in.” I was curious how Grant chose the strains to grow under the pressure of the Oklahoma cannabis market. Grant informed me of the difficulty to pick something that may or may not be good for the market. The ability to foresee the future somehow missed him when he was created. Grant shook his head, “Way early on we had a strain called comfortably dumb. It was super popular. It kind of gave us a name. So, we embraced it. We started putting all of our efforts into a ‘popular’ strain. We put so much effort into it we got tired of it. But it’s something we felt needed to be done. We had Comfortably Dumb all over our veg room. It was all over our flower rooms. When you load your rooms with a strain then it takes a while to effectively change that.”
A major issue while dealing with this is finding yourself at the other end of the spectrum. You change everything so that you have a ton of variety. When you go this far over to the other side you get harvests that are only 3 to 4 lbs each. That just doesn’t make financial sense. Grant talked about how they were focusing on higher terpene and potency levels. He added, “By growing less strains it allows us to focus more on the quality of the medicine. We are able to make it easier on ourselves while still focusing on quality and potency.” We made it over to the lab. There were two young men operating the lab. I managed to pull Tyde Thomsen, head solventless processor for Progressive Grow Labs. “Straight from harvest we trim up the buds, then vacuum seal them. We throw them in the freezer to get the whole extraction process going. They sit in the freezer for about 2 days,” Tyde was all smiles. “We throw it into our fully automated washing machine. This really helps out not having to break our backs to obtain washes all the time. It has really helped us improve low temperature work. We do that then we drain it into rosin washing bags. It filters out all the tricome supermicro layers. and then we’ll collect that throw it into a freeze dryer. We collect it and then we immediately press it. It’s been a whole process of learning the ins-and-outs of hash. It’s such an amazing opportunity to work in this lab. I couldn’t help myself at that point of the conversation. I had to point something out. I asked Tyde to tell me again how old he was and how long he had been doing what he was doing. Tyde smiled and confidently said, “I graduated high school in 2019. I’ve been doing this for about a year.” I was set back. I imagined myself at that age. I imagined the opportunities in front of Tyde.I’m not sure how often Tyde thinks about his moral value to this world and the people that live within his bubble. So I acknowledged it. I asked Tyde to think about the number of lives that he is now affecting in a positive way. The medicine he is in charge of is making others have a better quality of life. Thousands of individuals touched by the work of a recent high school graduate. His weapon of choice just happens to be one from caring and enjoyment. Just imagine the possibilities.
Tyde Thomsen
One of the major factors that a good quality business tends to set aside is marketing. It’s extremely important to advertise and market to your audience and potential customers. There are no cookie cutter ways of doing so. The best way to handle this is through a consultant. Someone that knows the ins and out of both advertising and the cannabis environment. The team at Progressive Grow Labs is now looking into marketing and advertising as it should. “We are no longer in the flea market or barter/trade style market.” Grant agreed as we both talked about the number of current growers in the market. “This industry is starting to grow up, sort of speaking. Also there are just too many people in the market. So if you just do the simple math of 7,000 growers. If they merely harvested an average of 1 lb per month that would already be a lot of cannabis. However, no one is going to grow only 1 lb per month unless they aren’t operational. So that’s just a ton of cannabis in the market. You have to set yourself apart in some way. That’s where our advertising and marketing come in.”
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I started imagining how awesome it would be to work on something of this scale with my own brother. Grant chimed in, “My brother and I are very close. This has actually forced us to become closer. It’s been great. It can be challenging sometimes, but it’s totally worth it. Because we learn from everything. Then my dad works with us. Mostly things he could do from home. He’s retired, but he helps us a lot.” I asked Grant about the next steps for Progressive Grow Labs. “I think the next step is trying to figure out how to make a few more products for our store. We want to make them for ourselves and then also wholesale. I think now we’ve kind of switched gears and we’re going to be hyperfocusing on our current grow. We want to make it the best that it can be then expand from there. Ultimately we want to be multi-state. Right now we need to concentrate on our home bas which will continue to be Oklahoma.” Brian reminded me, “We had no struggle with the crew when we went through some changes. I feel like now we have a really good tight crew of hard-working people. Everything is family and we’re trying to open a dispensary. So it’s just that. You know? Family. Making friendships and acquaintances. That’s what we’re looking to do in this industry. We are looking to be a good name for the industry. We want to do things right. We fully support the cannabis industry and want to portray the best for it.” Brian was sincere. The way marijuana has been treated throughout the years has been so bad. We are trying to change things.” “This industry is very progressive. To us that sums up this industry. It’s always growing progressively. Brian had undertones of pride in his voice, “The whole marijuana industry is progressive.”
Progressive Grow Labs is for a free and fair “craft cannabis” marketplace, where experienced cannabis growers and dispensaries create jobs and develop new products and services through innovation and sustainable agriculture.
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 580.399.0441
The name obviously resonated with the group of entrepreneurs. Progressive. It was interesting having the opportunity to speak with the family at Progressive Grow. To notice another crew at the top of their game and to understand that they have consistently had twists and turns along the way helps me see something beautiful. The dream is not dead. Entrepreneurs rest assured. If you do in fact have a premium product idea, the courage to commit, and the sweat to spare then you can, indeed, achieve the dream. You just have to go get it. A progressive family full of very progressive thinkers. I was once again fulfilled by witnessing the life of a deserving family being made better. All due to our amazing life ally we call cannabis.
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Going Bananas By James Bridges Everyone noticed. Having a thought is one thing. Acting upon that thought is a completely different experience. Once you are in it, you are in it. The experience... I told her to sit next to me as we rode around on the bus. I wanted to talk about what had happened. I wanted to make it right. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I assumed she would blow things out of proportion in order to save face. I assumed that we would never talk again after. I felt so strongly that what had happened could never be forgotten. So we sat. I told her that I couldn’t believe how I had acted. I felt as if I had let everyone down. I told her I should have shown strength when I chose to expose heart strings instead. I found the situation I was looking at to be ridiculously malicious and personal. I chose to make it about me. I became what I had feared. I made myself a victim. We both exited the bus. She had said nothing in return. She pulled out a leather case. Inside was flower and a glass pipe.. So we smoked. I started thinking again… I realized that she hadn’t gotten mad at me. The fact that she’s still standing there meant a lot. I noticed her beautiful smile. One that was fixed upon her face the day we met. We smoked more. I noticed that the sun had come out. It was turning into a day of which one would love to be outside. I commented and even smiled a bit. She finally spoke. She let me know that what I have done is discovered the 80/20 rule. I was curious. I wanted more knowledge. She said about 20% of most people’s day is focused on negative thoughts. The other 80% is untapped positivity that goes unnoticed by most of society. She wanted me to know that in order to function at a higher level of self love one must essentially retrain the brain to see the 80% and capture it. It’s natural to have negative thoughts. It’s much easier to remember that there are way more positive thoughts that come when you smoke my strain of the month from Algoma Farms. STRAIN: Apples and Bananas CULTIVATOR: Algoma Farms Dominant Terp: Caryophyllene 3.76 THC: 25.68%
Algoma Farms | Oklahoma City | algomafarmsok@gmail.com
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24-Carat Trajectory
By Contracted Writer
Jessi Lane is a Patient Advocate, Writer, and Oklahoma cannabis industry Consultant. She is a native Tulsan and Mom to three boys- two with ASD and SPD- one of whom is an OMMA licensed pediatric cardholder and she his licensed Caregiver. Jessi Lane is a Certified Cannacian III and Trichome Institute Certified Cannabis Consultant.
They say the Snozzberries taste like Snozzberries. Now, I don’t know what a Snozzberrry tastes like, but I do know the Golden Trends Reserve unique 100% glass one gram Snozzberry cartridge is sure to be Golden Trend’s best seller, offering a delectable, quenching flavor profile you can only expect from Russ Harrison, who is truly the finest salt of the earth. Meet Golden Trends, a state of the art Oklahoma-owned processor and producer of finely engineered cannabis products offering a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. Their one-gram cartridges and Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Vegan gummies provide Oklahoma patients with the synergistic effects of a full spectrum product while offering the reassurance of a predictable, lab created profile. “We are very outcome driven,” says C.W. “Russ” Harrison, Founder & CEO of Golden Trends. “When (the extract) leaves we know exactly what we’ve got.” This is due to Golden Trend’s implementation of a multitest process, lab testing their extracts in-house prior to sending out for compliance testing. Using their High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system -the same equipment used by OMMA accredited labs- as well as a qPCR instrument, gives them the ability to perform rapid detection of microbial contamination. “Everything’s independently tested,” notes Russ, “You need to be monitoring the process, not the outcome.” Access to onsite testing that aligns with state approved labs helps Golden Trends develop new and innovative delivery systems more quickly. Golden Trends stays above the curve by utilizing on-site quality control biochemist, Jason Davenport. He tells us, “I’m responsible for performing cannabinoid profiling on all incoming plant material, distillates, and final products, as well as material from various points in our process stream.” And according to Russ, “A good chemist is conservative.” Their products are CO2 extracted in a revolutionary 3-system laboratory and manufacturing facility. These trailblazing brand characteristics can be attributed to to the life’s work of Mr. Harrison, who has delivered food-grade products to national consumer brands since 1986. “These sound, food-grade principles are ingrained into our training and processes.” Russ Harrison may have grown up on a farm but he didn’t aspire to be a farmer. Young Russ couldn’t foresee the high-CBG plant based medicine his future self would attempt and succeed in soil growing one day. Instead Russ found his fortune in salts and in plaster- “a serial plaster entrepreneur,” his wife, Celina, refers gently.
Charles “Russ” Harrison Founder & CEO GOLDEN TRENDS Predictable Is Priceless
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For 32 years Russ grew his reputable business-to-business enterprise in the food-grade Gypsum salt industry with his company Allied Custom Gypsum. Gypsum salt, sometimes called land plaster, improves soil’s workability and capacity to receive moisture. Gypsum is used in toothpaste and to make cement, drywall, and streets. As described by Russ, “Gypsum salt is a yeast food.” Russ’ A+ rated partnership with industry giant in the yeast business- Anheuser Busch aligned him to join the bubbly hemp market merger. In 2018 Russ sold Allied Custom Gypsum, initially focusing on CBD processing for food and drink manufacturers. The Farm Bill was signed into law that same year and Russ seized the opportunity. However, due to the 2019 FDA ruling that CBD could not be considered GRAS- Generally Regarded As Safe, Harrison pivoted into the Cannabis as Medicine industry. “He’s very curious and likes to figure things out,” relays Celina.
Abstract product art is designed by local artists, with a portion of the product’s proceeds going to local arts. Giving back is very much a part of who Celina and Russ are, as good-hearted Oklahomans. Russ himself has adopted six children, some of which work for the family business. Everyone else on Team Golden Trends was intricately chosen. “Creating the right team is critical because nothing is more important than making safe, high quality products for patients,” Russ relays. Golden Trends trajectory is sure to surge with its unmatched 24-carat team and Harrison at the helm. When it comes to Golden Trends, “Predictable IS priceless.”
Harrison has always been an exemplary model of following Good Manufacturing Practices while producing a food-grade product. “Good Manufacturing Practice is a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. GMP is a mindset and covers all aspects of production – not just equipment,” explains Russ. For Golden Trends, “it’s about patient safety first. It’s about repeatable, predictable, traceable, and transparent processes.” Russ and his team extensively researched to find the top equipment, consulting with industry experts to perfect their extraction methodologies. He relays, “the result is a proven extraction process that is clean, safe and produces the best cannabis product for patients. ” Golden Trends’ extracts used to craft their carts and gummies are potent- testing at 80-90% THC, “I’ve seen 95%!” exclaims Russ. Their extract is pure, providing only naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes without using fillers or cutting agents. Cannabis materials undergo a comprehensive sampling, quarantine and testing protocol to ensure quality. “Everything we do is to ensure that our products are of high quality and free of contaminants,” relays Russ. Golden Trends Prime one-gram carts are manufactured using Jupiter hardware, providing less packaging and waste than the industry standard. Golden Trends Reserve carts are supremely manufactured using 100% glass hardware. Both lines are currently available in the flavorful throwback Indica- Blueberry, Lemon Lime Sativa, Pineapple Chunk Sativa, and Golden Trend’s own uniquely floral and candy sweet Snozzberry Indica. Golden Trends Reserve high dose gummies are currently available in packs of ten and come in 50-milligram per piece Cherry, 100-milligram Lemon Raspberry, and 200-milligram Grape. This all-natural edible option is notably Sugar Free, not an easy product to come by in the Oklahoma cannabis consumables market. The Golden Trends team is gearing up for the launch of Abstract- premiere 10-milligram lab created ratios targeting a patient’s desire for Sleep, for Relief, for Focus, and for Balance. “When you are developing products to target specific outcomes, having a chemist on staff allows you to test in-house at each stage of production. This ensures the products contain the correct dose for the targeted outcome,” declares Russ.
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Big Houses by Anna Ervin For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of one day having a big family. Those who know me well are probably laughing as they read this (I’ve never been a fan of the idea of having kids), but today we’re not talking about family in the traditional sense of the word. For years, I have had a recurring dream where I find myself in a large house, surrounded by people from both my past and present. Over the years, the souls who have occupied this house with me have changed, over time becoming fuzzy in my memory. However, the dream is always the same. It feels like a vacation at first, and I’m running around excitedly ensuring that everyone has the best time. This is what I do best, the place in which I thrive. I’ve always been an entertainer, constantly seeking the thrill of making people feel warm and fuzzy. In this setting, the faces that appear in my dream feel like family. Sometimes old friends from high school, others, they are new acquaintances from work. Regardless, when they approach me in my dream world I recognize a feeling of deep understanding and love for that person. At first my efforts in pleasing this crowd are rewarded ten-fold, finding smiling faces in every room of the home we share. “This is where I’m meant to be,” I think, as I embark on yet another mission to bring someone in my circle joy and comfort. Eventually, however, things begin to take a nasty turn. It always happens before I can stop it. The fun we’ve had begins to reap consequences, debts start bubbling to the surface for the steep price of each individual moment of joy, and I find myself so exhausted from keeping everyone satisfied that I can’t put nearly the same energy into cleaning up the messes I helped create (though this never stops me from trying).
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Once again I find myself running around excitedly, trying to ensure that all of these problems are solved without anyone else having to break a sweat. Only this time, I look around and the faces I adore so much are no longer smiling back at me. The joy in their eyes is suddenly replaced with discontent, doubt, and blame. I feel alone. I begin cursing them for not stepping up to offer a hand. They look back at me with confusion. How can I blame them? They had never asked for this, to receive my love and devotion so intensely. They were simply just existing in my world, and I made it my own personal mission to entertain, please, or “help” them— emphasis on the quotation marks around help. This all feels so familiar. I’ve been here a hundred times before, and not just in my dreams. I have revisited this setting various times throughout my life. The house might not be relevant, the faces occupying it rarely the same, but I always find myself falling into the same pattern. It has taken me years of dreaming this same dream, existing in the same pattern of reality, to finally realize that I’ve been trapped in a cycle of codependent behaviors and their consequences. I have spent my entire life trying to please everyone around me, and if they’re already content with me, I take it a step further by attempting to “help” or “fix” them. This makes me feel needed, validated, and appreciated. I have been relying on the dependency of others to fulfill my own sense of self worth. Mirroring my own feelings to reflect the joy, amusement, confusion, or discontent that I find in the eyes of those who surround me, rather than to sit with and acknowledge my own emotions. As I find myself embracing these lessons in healing and growth, I’ve struggled with how to finish this story. For months I’ve stumbled over words, as this chapter of my life is still being written. I explained this to one of my sweet friends recently, and he told me that no matter where I decide to go from here, that I should act courageously. And that gave me chills. To hear those words; to think of the bravery it would require to start establishing healthy boundaries, to honor my own feelings all alone, and to build a big house within myself honestly felt… terrifying. But, isn’t that the whole point? To let go of the safety that can be found in validation from others, and to step into the discomfort of knowing that no matter how much I allow others to lean on me, I’ll never truly be satisfied until I learn to provide for myself first. “The Universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” -Elizabeth Gilbert
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Edibles Baked Goods 3rd: Intent Distribution PB&J Blonde Duos 2nd: Pharmers Daughter Edibles Churro Cake Jar 1st: ButterstuPHD Bud Bark Capsules 3rd: High Sunshine Farms EZ Dose It Nano Caps 2nd: Mint Company 300mg Rocket Fuel Refuel Pack 1st: 918 OG Strawberry Raspberry Fruit Crisps Drinks 3rd: Pharmacated Kalvara THC Infused Cocktail 2nd: Infamous OG Grape Pie 200 mg Infused Infamous OG Drink 1st: JKJ Processing Lemon Berry Holy Water Hard/Soft Candies 3rd: Kosmik Brands Peanut Butter and Jelly Blasters 2nd: Wana Peach Bellini 1st: Dandy Lion Edibles Strawnana High Dose Edibles 3rd: JKJ Processing Dragon Paw PB Wafers 2nd: Flav Rainbow Belts 1st: Kosmik Barnds 1000mg Black Hole Gummies Specialty Edibles 3rd: Esco Brands Crispy’s - Iced Out Oreo Bar 2nd: Escalated Greens Caramel Coma Corn 1st: 918 OG Strawberry Raspberry Fruit Crisps Tinctures 3rd:Hourglass Extracts 1000mg Cottonmouth Spray Mint 2nd: Delta Oil 5:1 Tincture 1st: Mint Company 750mg RSO Indica Tincture Topicals 3rd: JKJ Processing Pink Passion Bath Salts 2nd: Pharmacated Cannidex
1st: Xen Xtract Xengay Medicated Rollon Prerolls 3rd: Lake and Bake Shop Tropicana Cookies 2nd: Kind Origin Cannabis Mimosa 1st: Progressive Grow Labs Tropical Runtz Infused Prerolls 3rd: Icy Melts Solventless x Carter Creek Cannabis Vixen - Hash Rosin Stix 2nd: Cicada x Leaf Logic Cattail Solventless Infused Pre-Roll 1st: ALTVM Mafia Funeral Blunt Concentrates Best New Concentrates 3rd: Tribe Collective Dog Walker Diipped & Rolled 2nd: Noble Nectar Tropaya BHO/SHO Powdered Donut 1st: Xen Xtracts Geode Liquid BHO 3rd: 710 Diamond Co. GDP Diamond 2nd: Giddy’s (GreenLeaf Organics) Mac Gelato 1st: Apothecary Extracts Hazelnut Cream Ambrosia Live resin Solid BHO 3rd: Slow Burn Desert Extracts Blueberry Kush 2nd: Xen Xtracts Liberty Haze 1st: Xen Xtracts Macaloupe Live Resin Cart 3rd: Apothecary Extracts Tropicana Sunrise Ambrosia Pod 2nd: Origin Extracts x Stability Orangeade 1st: Origin Extracts x Stability TropIcana Cookies Rosin Cart 3rd: Noble Nectar Slurricane 2nd: War Party Extracts Strawberry Jedi E-Blunts 1st: Scissortail Solventless &
T C 3 2 1 C 3 2 1 Ic 3 2 1 T 3 2 1 R 3 2 T 1 T
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Top Notch Herbal Care Cured Resin Cart 3rd: Escalated Greens 2nd: 64 Farms 1st: Elite Cultivation C02 Cart 3rd: Golden Trends 2nd: Golden Trends 1st: Golden Trends Ice Water Hash 3rd: Cicada x Phresh Harvest 2nd: Cicada x Juble Exotics 1st: Cicada x Juble Exotics Temple Ball 3rd: Tribe Collective 2nd: Progressive Grow Labs 1st: Cicada Labs x Snaxland Rosin 3rd: Cicada x ALTVM 2nd: Scissortail Solventless & Top Notch Herbal Care 1st: Scissortail Solventless & Top Notch Herbal Care Flower Sungrown Light Assist 1st: High Prairie Farms 2nd: High Top Harvest 3rd: High Prairie Farms
Papaya Punch Hybrid Ripstick Rude Boy Gelato Cake Golden Hawaiian Cart Grape Ape Cart Snozzberry Cart Guava Juice DK Smash Mai Thai Mints Amnesia Haze Temple Ball Ice Cream Cake Lylac Diesel Papaya Papaya Punch
Orange Cheese 33 Degrees Headband Cookie
Sungrown (Top 5 in no particular order) Fusion Botaicals Slurricane Pharmicated Wedding Cake Wild Natives Farmacy Peanut Butter Breath Pott County Boys Terple 17 Pharmicated Lemon Meringue Cake Sungrown 3rd: Pott County Boys Terple 17 2nd: Pharmicated Wedding Cake 1st: Pharmicated Lemon Meringue Cake Indoor Flower (Top 10 in no particular order) Nexleaf Cultivation Lunch Box The Healing Hand Collective Tropicana Cookies Elite Cultivation Lemon Skunk Healing Pharms Terple 17 ALTVM Slapz The Releaf Zone Tropicana Cookies Heavenly Haze Liberty Haze ALTVM Designer Runtz F5 Farms Killer Cupcake Drip Cultivation Superboof Indoor Flower 3rd: Heavenly Haze Liberty Haze 2nd: Drip Cultivation Superboof 1st: ALTVM Slapz Distillate Cart 1st: ESCO Brands/Swerve 2nd: Hourglass Extracts 3rd: ESCO Brands
Runtz Strawnana Sweet Stuff Blueberry Kush
Buckle Design winner Best Booth
Richard Frye The Great Spirits
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My
Story Gets Happier ~It’s ok if that takes some time. by Anna Ervin “I get paid in three days,” I think to myself as the noises around me condense into a low hum, “and that should be enough to cover bills and groceries, but what about gas? … can’t forget to find a dog sitter for those Saturday events… do I have anything to wear for work—” My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my own name. “Anna? Are you okay?” My mom is staring back at me, confusion and concern flood her expression. She’s been telling me about a conversation she had with, well… I couldn’t actually tell you. I’ve been dissociating like this for weeks now. As hard as I try, I can’t seem to focus my attention on whatever’s happening right in front of me. My mind is clouded with anxieties bigger than I have ever imagined for myself. I have been avoiding my friends and family, isolating myself for fear of disappointing those I love as I find myself seemingly stuck in this lower vibration. The notifications on my phone begin to stack up as weeks go by and I haven’t quite found the courage to open them— is it ever the right time to come up with an authentic and thoughtful response? Not being able to be a patient, mindful, and present companion for my friends and family makes me wonder if I deserve them at all. The fear and concern that I have adopted over the problems in my life are now seeping into my relationships, the way I communicate with the world, and more importantly, the way I communicate with myself. I don’t write this to look for sympathy or make excuses for myself, but to be honest about a chapter of my life that hasn’t been quite as eloquently written as many of the others. I know that I can’t go on like this forever, and I think that a truthful analysis of where I find myself today is a good place to begin shifting the narrative. This isn’t easy for me, I typically try to focus my attention on the positive energies in my life, and I think that this character trait has served me well in a lot of ways. When gratitude is the focal point of my perception, I’ve noticed that I manifest more abundance. However, that gratitude has to be genuine, and in hindsight I’m beginning to question whether it has been recently.
Life threw a series of major shifts my way this year. Through everything, I think I was so hellbent on focusing on whatever felt happy and safe that I glazed over crucial pieces of my journey that begged for tenderness and healing— pieces that required a little more bravery and depth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying that a positive mindset isn’t courageous. At certain times in my life, looking for something positive in my reality felt like the most empowering thing I could do for myself or those around me. In those moments, I recognized the need for that mindset through self-awareness. At other times, though, that same awareness has invited me to take a closer look at some of my darker feelings, and I haven’t always embraced the challenge. Lately I have made a bad habit of ignoring those feelings, which has inherently led to an even nastier habit of allowing my focus to drift away from the present moment and into some inauthentic, fairytale reality. This lack of awareness has caused a mountain of problems in my life to pile up around me as I have allowed myself to tiptoe around them, focusing solely on the glimpses of light I might find in their valleys. But as the mountains grow bigger, the light that reaches those valleys becomes sparse. I realize that now, the most abundant light exists on the peaks that surround me, those that will require a lot of dedication and hard work to reach. I think I’m not alone in feeling that sometimes the whole self-help/self-love movement tends to focus more on “love and light” than the dark, scary shadow work that is sometimes required for deeper healing. I know I’ve been guilty of this in my own writing at times. The uncomfortable truth is that in order to embody the highest versions of ourselves, we have to be able to acknowledge the darkness just as much as the light. Finding a way to balance the two as our lives constantly shift into new planes of reality is half of the challenge. I think that for me, taking accountability for the role I play in my own healing looks like moving through life with a lot more intention. Rather than making gratitude and positivity my sole focus and mission in my life (which I now realize became a bit of a reactive tactic I used to avoid difficult feelings) I’m now shifting my mindset to one of unconditional awareness, and challenging myself to sit with my observations, no matter how uncomfortable they may be. Affirmations + Journal Prompts: I acknowledge and lovingly release feelings of inadequacy, fear, and frustration. I maintain a mindful awareness of all of the feelings my soul is asked to process on this journey. I embody my most authentic truth.
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The Cowboy Cup
Cured Resin Cartridge
Winners By Carisa Rowe
Cured Resin
Dried and cured resin is the base extract in a significant number of cannabis concentrates, including vape cartridges. Coveted for its full spectrum experience, cured resin boasts high potencies while keeping valuable terpene profiles intact, resulting in a more complete medicating experience.
Resin, in the cannabis sector, refers to the sticky, waxy substance that is extracted from mature cannabis flower. Comprised mostly of microscopic trichome heads and oily terpenes, resin is a powerful goo harvested with the intentions of delivering a powerful medicating experience. In fact, cured resin is one of the leading products used to create edibles, topicals, tinctures, and a variety of dabs. Cured resin is made from dried, cured cannabis flower. The material is ground and packed into a vacuum-sealed column that is then filled with clean, high purity butane. Butane is a solvent that breaks the cannabinoid-rich trichomes away from the plant material. After soaking for a period of time, the butane – now carrying terpenes, THC, and other cannabinoids is flushed out of the column and sent through a purging process. The purge is where solvent residues are removed before sending the concentrated material to cure, which removes trace solvents from the cured resin. Extraction specialists then take the cured extract and turn it into the final product. Cured resin cartridges, like the ones these winners have manufactured, are fast on the rise for smart consumers who want the convenience of on the go concentrates with a medicating experience that feels more like whole plant medicine.
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Winner
Gelato Cake Elite Cultivation
Elite Cultivation has made it their mission to introduce to the cannabis industry a previously unseen level of precision in the growing and cultivation process. The company has built out more than 36,000 square feet of cultivation space. Their processing lab is responsible for turning cannabis flower into high-quality concentrates that are then manufactured into one of seventeen different products, which includes the Gelato Cake cured resin cart that earned them a buckle at this year’s Cowboy Cup. Relentless devotion drives the Elite Cultivation team to develop products that not only taste great but that provide a safe and reliable medicating experience. Their state-of-the-art facility in Wynnewood, OK is a particular point of pride for Elite Cultivation as it provides a clean space for them to do what they love: make medicine. The team cranks out premium quality flower on a rigorous schedule to keep patients stocked with their favorite buds, to stuff pre-rolls with, and to make premium grade concentrates for dabs, cartridges, and edibles. Their second-to-none cus
2nd Place
3rd Place
64 Farms
Escalated Greens
Rude Boi
The Rude Boi cured resin cart from 64 Farms is a fan favorite for effect and flavor. The folks at 64 Farms use whole plant methodologies to craft their cured resins. They have developed products with three mentalities in mind: FLOW; curated to help you unwind and socialize, FOCUS; curated to draw out your creativity and clarity, and FINALLY; a premium-extract, nighttime blend designed to help you rest and rejuvenate. The 64 Farms guarantee is an assurance that they will always create their medicine through whole plant processing. When sourcing plant material from Oklahoma growers, the 64 Farms team chooses cultivators who have shown to be ethical, who practice truly organic gardening and pest management, and who practice sustainability. The lab team at 64 Farms incorporates natural, cannabis-derived terpenes into their proprietary blends to ensure the most bioavailable medicating experience they can provide. Their full spectrum terpene profiles deliver a flavorful, enjoyable medicating experience that patients rely on time and time again. Their products are intentionally crafted with safety, quality assurance, testing, and training in mind during every step of the manufacturing process. They take time to triple test batches so that patients can rely on the information they provide with the medicine they sell. The pride of 64 Farms is delivering safe, clean, reliable medicine to every Oklahoma cannabis patient.
Hybrid Ripstick Escalated Greens’ Hybrid Ripstick features a full gram of BHO cured resin in their proprietary, disposable cartridge and battery. The vertically integrated facility, located on the west side of Lake Eufala, grows the flower that their lab processes into cured resin for the Ripstick. Extractors Gavin and Tristan hold down the lab every day, taking the craft cannabis grown on site from flower form down to pure concentrates that are then manufactured into award-winning Ripsticks and grams of dabs. The concentrates that Gavin and Tristan create are the very same concentrates used to power Escalated Greens’ delicious, full-spectrum edibles lines. The lab uses whole plant material to create their custom concentrates and blends. Their butane honey oil (BHO) process undergoes extreme purging to remove solvent residues from the final product, resulting in clean medicine that tastes like the plants it was made form. Escalated Greens is staffed by a tightly-knit team of Eufala locals that understand the value of good medicine. Gavin and Tristan, along with the cultivation team, the kitchen crew, dispensary staff, and office personnel, take deep pride in crafting cannabis products with their community in mind.
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DIVINE
FEMININE
Q&A with Holly Mills of CanOkie Buds by Veronica Castillo
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Canadian Cultivator in Oklahoma Committed to Producing only Top Shelf Medicine: Canokie Buds “It took just diving in and putting myself out there to find out.” From northern Ontario to the southern region of the United States (though, in cannabis, Oklahoma is considered the wild west), Holly Mills with CanOkie Buds says that moving to Oklahoma was a culture shock for her. She describes northern Ontatrio as a cultured, and the town she moved to in Oklahoma back in 2009 as: “A small town that was much slower paced. Everyone seemed to know everyone else.” What once was shock is now gratitude for a place that Holly describes as: having the prettiest sunsets, the wildest winters, and incredible sense of community; “ I’m lucky to be here!” Licensed, passionate, and growing cannabis with a touch of divine feminine; I am happy to share my latest interview with woman owned and operated: Canokie Buds.
Q&A with Holly Mills of CanOkie Buds Please tell me about your childhood and cannabis- what did you learn about it? Was it considered the devil’s lettuce in your home? Did people around you consume? “When I grew up in Canada cannabis was still illegal and considered taboo. My dad was a strict rule follower and expected the same from his kids. I don’t remember people consuming around me until I was a consumer myself.”
When did curiosity begin to develop and when did you start consuming cannabis? “I started using cannabis in high school around the 10th grade. Never during the week, only on weekends with friends. When I finished high school, I moved to Northern Ontario and became a bit more of a habitual cannabis smoker. I guess I’ve consumed on and off since I was about 14. When I became a mom I didn’t for a long time. When cannabis became medically legal in Oklahoma, my youngest was 2 and I decided to try it again.”
Have you lost anyone to a condition that cannabis could’ve treated? “I haven’t lost anyone that could have been treated by cannabis, but I do have family and close friends with illnesses currently being treated by cannabis. My dad has MS and is a medical user in Canada. Even though it is recreational, there is also a medical program designed to contour cannabis use to individuals. My younger brother Timothy, works for a group initially called Marijuana for Trauma. They cater to veterans, my brother being one of them. Both my brother and my father’s medicine is subsidized by the government and they stay in contact with nurses and doctors who monitor their wellbeing. It would be awesome to see cannabis actually be treated as medicine across the United States the way it is in Canada.”
When did Canokie launch and can you provide insight on the journey from idea to launch? “After building a new home on our property I began debating what to do with our old home. I knew I wanted to use it for a business that would be a career for myself. Before medical marijuana went legal, I was looking into growing hemp crops for CBD processing purposes.
I was using some full spectrum CBD products for anxiety, stress, and insomnia and wanted to be a part of that industry, for medicine. Then medical marijuana happened and I started adding THC to my CBD regiment which was a game changer. At the time it was legally easier to grow marijuana because they hadn’t passed the right to farm bill here in Oklahoma. So I thought: what if I turned my old house into an actual grow house? I’ll never forget the moment I was standing in my old living room with my friend Jean, the effects of a weed brownie just starting to kick in, and Jean turned and said, “imagine how many plants you could fit in this room.” So that was it. I ordered the George Cervantes Cannabis Encyclopedia off Amazon, started reading and watching Youtube videos, I tapped into the cannabis community with a million questions for other growers, and I got started in one room with a $5,000 tax return. I popped my first seeds in May 2019. This fall I found the answer to Jean’s question, it’s 91. My old living room is currently full of 91 beautiful, healthy, organically grown Maneater OG plants.”
What was the hardest and easiest thing about entering the cannabis industry? “I don’t think there was anything easy about entering the cannabis industry except for maybe the application part. I had no idea what I was doing when I started, and every step along the way was a learning curve. I had grown all sorts of plants and vegetables in the past, but cannabis plants were a whole new ball game. Learning not just about the plants themselves but then how to perfect their environment was very challenging. There are a million and one different products and equipment out there designed for growing cannabis. As far as the business side goes, I had plenty of experience with running a business and with customer relations but my knowledge of cannabis at the time I had finished my first harvest, was limited to what I had read in books and online. I honestly had no idea what my product was like compared to others. My first harvest was 4 pounds of 5 different strains and 1 dispensary bought the whole thing. Patients loved the flower and my reputation started to grow. I’ve continued since then to build the brand and positive reputation of my flower.”
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Please tell me about the team. “I am a small team of just 4 incredible women. Laura has been with me for close to 2 years now and had no experience with cannabis plants or medicating with cannabis. The first time she visited my grow facility she thought I had a major skunk problem! Lol. Ashley started with me 6 months ago and also had no experience with growing cannabis. I have been friends with both of these women for 7 years. Our newest team member is Elizabeth, who joined the team just recently. She came on board with limited experience from another grow she helped with, and just dove right in! All of these women are incredibly hard working, honest, and loyal; and I am so grateful for them. We are all moms and constantly strive to create a positive work/life balance for each other and ourselves.”
My favourite one to consume changes based on what I’m looking to medicate for. If I want a get up and go strain, I love the Maneater OG or Alaskan Purple. If I’m looking for a relaxing and mellowing effect, I love our Canadian Kush or Galactic Runtz. Honestly, they’re all good and beneficial in their own way.”
Do you believe that women have a deeper relationship with plants? Why or why not? “No, I wouldn’t say that women have a deeper relationship with plants. I might say that women could be more in tune to them because we tend to be more maternal, and pay more attention to detail. I know some incredible cultivators that are men. It’s really the individual that makes the relationship. Being a man or a woman doesn’t make a difference.”
Where can people find Canokie Buds in OK? Please tell me about curing in a jar, and the difference between traditional curing and jar curing. “CanOkie Buds can be found at Bud Barn in Marlow, Can“Jar curing is the only way to go in my opinion, to achieve a true top shelf flower product. Not only do the glass walls prevent unwanted chemicals from leaching into the product, but they also circulate trapped air which allows the flower to biosynthesize. This converts cannabinoid compounds into new blends. So, for the flower to reach its full potential during the cure time, glass is the only way to go! This is a 100% more time consuming method to curing but, I am dedicated to producing only top shelf medicine, and the cure process is a major part of that. It’s important to note that before we even get to the cure process, everything we grow is in top of the line organic soil, and we brew all organic teas. We do not- at any stage- use synthetic nutrients or synthetic mediums. All of our plants are hand fed and carefully cultivated to ensure that every strain reaches its full potential before it is then hand trimmed and jar cured.”
How many strains do you all grow? What’s the most popular? We consistently run 10 really great strains. We are constantly pheno hunting new strains but it’s not often that I add a new one to the mix. Our most popular strain, which has become the number one strain in every dispensary that has picked it up, is our Maneater OG strain. This high testing sativa consistently hits 28-29% THC, and terpenes from 3-3.5%. She is by far the stickiest, dankest, most heavy hitting strain that I have ever come across as both a grower and consumer.
What’s your favorite strain to grow? What about your favorite one to consume? “These are both really difficult questions to answer. I guess my current favourite strain to grow is a newer one called Mimosa Evo. Her plant structure, colour, and aroma are amazing. She will make an entire room smell like pineapple. Her buds are dense and frosty, and her fade late in flower is dark purple.
nawise in Duncan, Higher Care in Chickasha, Pharmers Market in Norman, Green Buffalo in Norman, Prestige Cannabis in Del City and Edmond, Frontier Medicine in Edmond, and Buds dispensary in Lawton. These dispensaries consistently carry CanOkie flower. If your favourite dispensary doesn’t have CanOkie flower, ask them to reach out to me!”
Final Words When asked about advice for aspiring cultivators, Holly ended with:
“Stay true to the medicine. Don’t take shortcuts and don’t falsify information about your product. Build relationships with labs, dispensaries, and processors that are dedicated to the medicinal value of cannabis, not just the money-making aspect of it. There will be a multitude of hurdles you will face while growing this incredible plant. Pay attention, troubleshoot, ask questions, try new things; but not too many new things at one time. A good friend once told me that it takes 18 months to become an expert on a new field of study. With cannabis, that 18 months will just make you a little more comfortable but certainly not an expert. Don’t sweat the small stuff and keep at it!”
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 www.delta9labsllc.com ANALYTICAL LABORATORY PONCA CITY, OK
(580) 304-9392
The Gaffnies By Michael Kinney
From 2015-20 one of the hottest television shows was “Empire,” the fictional drama focused on the Lyon family, which had started from the ground up to build an empire in the music industry. While the show featured banging music and eye-catching fashion, the core of the show was about a family that essentially did not get along but was forced to work together in order to build their empire.
oils, coconut oils, things like that and we also portion our food correctly.” Creating an environment where people can eat well, but also healthy goes back to how the Gaffnies live their own lives.
In less than a year, the Gaffnies have started two businesses right next door to each other in Norman’s Merkle Creek Plaza. The first was Bee High Dispensary, which opened its doors in January. Then in July they opened Delish Nutrish Café & Meal Prep, a restaurant that feeds the soul in a healthy way.
“Over the years we’ve always tried to eat better seeing what our parents have gone through with their health,” Michelle said. “We started just changing, eating habits and things. But that’s always been a passion that we’ve incorporated at home and we just always said, when we got to a place that we could, we would love to have a healthy cafe. Being parents of three boys that played sports and you’re busy and you’re running the kids here and there, McDonald’s or Burger King is where you’d end up getting something to eat because it’s quick and fast and you don’t have time to cook, but it’s horrible for you. So yeah, that’s basically from our experience raising our kids and wanting to be healthier.”
Both businesses are family-owned and run. Along with Bobby and Michelle, their three sons Braden (21), Bentley (18) and Brian (17) put in work at both establishments.
The meal prep portion of the restaurant has become popular among the athletes at the University of Oklahoma. It has picked up steadily in just a few months.
“We’re trying to perfect it, I guess, at this level. We’re teaching our kids. So we have a 17- and 18-year-old that actively cook over here and make new drinks and things for people,” Michelle said. “Our 17-year-old actually wants to go to culinary school. So that is something he’ll end up stepping up into the role of head chef as the position my husband carries.”
“I was surprised actually,” Bobby said. “Once one came in, he spread the word on how the food tasted. Next thing, another one came in. That word of mouth is nuts.”
Bobby and Michelle Gaffney have taken a page out of the Lyon’s playbook as they also work to build their own empire, without the backstabbing and murder plots but instead use delicious food and strong cannibus.
With Bobby as the head chef, Delish Nutrish serves all organic and healthy food. Everything from Lamb chops and steak to Korean BBQ bowls and burgers. “We try to source local ingredients. We do have some farms that we work with. Everything is certified organic down to the spices that we use,” Michelle said. “We use certified organic chicken. We use grass fed meats. So everything that we use here, ingredient-wise, you can eat and know that it is very good for you. We don’t use any oils that are bad. We use avocado
Even though Bee High was the first to open, according to Bobby, the family has always had an eye on getting into the restaurant business. Both he and Michelle have extensive experience working at other eateries and were looking for the right opportunity. But then came State Question 788 in which Oklahomans voted to legalize marijuana in 2018. The couple saw that as an opportunity they couldn’t pass on. As a family that had a strong connection to the positive effects of marijuana and CBD products, they put their focus into getting into the field. It wasn’t until 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic that they decided to go for it. According to Bobby, they saw other people shrinking back and their mentality was to push forward.
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When the Gaffnies first approached the landlord of Merkle Creek Plaza about opening their dispensary, they were initially told no. She wanted a restaurant in that spot, which had been lying empty for the past eight years. According to Bobby, his oldest son Braden was thinking on his feet and told their potential landlord that the restaurant was part of the plan. That was seemingly enough to convince the landlord and took over the space in September of 2020. But then the hard part came and they had to figure out if it was actually legal and what they would have to do to make it so. After the family completely gutted and renovated the space, which included putting up a wall to separate the two businesses, High Bee opened at the start of 2021. Despite joining an ever-growing field of dispensaries in Oklahoma, the Gaffnies like the direction High Bee is going. “It takes a lot of money to get a product on the shelf,” Michelle said. “So we’re at that point where we’re starting to expand. I think we have 30 strains of different shelves right now that we carry from diamond down to the silver shelf. Actually, we have a value shelf there too.” As they continue to expand, the Gaffnies are looking to increase their product line to at least 50 strains.
Conversely, patrons of Delish Nutrish have taken an interest in the dispensary as well. “Some of the people that have come to eat here and would never step foot in a dispensary, I think it kind of made them curious for one and they also saw the type of people going in there,” Michelle said. “So I think there’s a stigma with a lot of people that it’s a certain type of people that use marijuana. For us, it’s a natural way to help with pain or anxiety or other elements and it goes with that, you want to be healthy but you’re on these pills to get rid of your anxiety. Well, we can show you a natural way if you’re interested and they see businessmen and women and different people go in there and they’re, ‘Oh, so it’s not just Hippies and Rastafarians and whatever.’” According to Bobby, the Gaffnies have already received offers from groups to purchase their business. But they see the potential in what they are building and more importantly, it allows the family to do it together. “We are big on family,” Bobby said. “All my kids stay with me. My grandbabies stay with me. We want a compound. We want to get some land. We wouldn’t mind building different houses. But we are big on family. Everybody is in. They are with it. They can see the vision. We want to do farm to table. We are working on building greenhouses so we can sustain our own food. Everybody is just motivated.”
“It’s really just putting money back in, and now that we’ve perfected things here, we have our processors. So we’re going to start making organic and sugar-free candies, that are edibles and things,” Michelle said. “So I think that’s a market too, that other people haven’t touched to look at. Yeah. It’s medicinal and everybody likes edibles, but can a diabetic come in or can someone with cancer come in or someone that doesn’t like sugar or wants more natural foods. So we’re starting to incorporate that as well.” The Gaffnies credit their growth to the type of service they provide their customers. Because they are a family operation, they believe that enables them to add a personal touch that most people aren’t used to getting. “We’re smaller. So what I’m seeing is that we’re a lot more personable,” Bobby said. “A lot folks tell us that they’re able to come in and ask a question and not feel rushed, not feel like they have to hurry up and get out because there’s a 50 mile wait or it’s so big and they see so many people that you’re just another person in the herd.” Even though High Bee and Delish are two separate businesses, the Gaffnies have found a way to meld the pair. When the cafe closes down at 4 p.m., it later becomes a lounge for customers at Bee High.
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Nice To
Catch Up By James Bridges
Growing up I often had a lot of “cool” friends. One of my best was considered somewhat of a catch to the many qualified individuals standing in line to be his next girlfriend. I found out the other day that he is now growing cannabis commercially here in Oklahoma. I knew the day would come as I recalled all of those “schools out early” afternoons driving around, smoking some of the best ditch brick “weed” we could find while both singing every single word to Kashmir. We reminisced about some life advances and some moves not so much in the forward direction. He told me of one of his biggest regrets. It was not at all what I had thought. After knowing him in high school through college years, I would have assumed him to be covered in gifts from the universe. He was, in my eyes, a charmed person. We used to talk about how we would someday be badass, baseball stars. The largest accomplishment we could both foresee was to one day walk up to home plate with a kick ass song playing over the loud speakers. He wanted me to consider hope. I’ve always thought of hope to be something given to those in need of direction in a positive light. I never really looked at it within myself as guidance. However, I knew deep down that hope had been a major player when it came to decisions in my life. It’s hard to admit sometimes, but I truly believe that hope has value. I imagine conservative thinkers to snicker and shuffle if they were to read those words. He said that it seemed much of his life he had something on his mind. An idea of sorts. One that gave him a sense of purpose. A quest if you will. One that he recently discovered. Yet it was there all along. Some call it an imagination. He said to consider that imagination as truth. He hadn’t found the courage to do so himself. He noticed a twinkle in my eye. He said he figured I had some hope left in me. We took a few last tokes off of a blunt that should have been rolled 20 years ago. I “hope” to run into my old friend again very soon.
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