Herbage Magazine Issue #63

12 IAN

5

Feminine Divine

Chelsea - Golden Hour Gardens

By Brannan Bell

The Cannabis Hangout

17 I See You Sean

The Bono-Ape Drive

By James Bridges

Herbage Magazine

This month’s recipe

Sponsored by Katie’s Baebees

18 Blueberry Honey

21 Essential Spring For Outdoor Growers

By Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D., Contributing Writer

23 A Purpose Driven NUGZ PREMIUM

By James Bridges

Herbage

IAN

Once a week Ian Brown can be found doing what he likes to do the most. That is slinging an 8-pound bowling ball down the lanes at Fire Lake Bowling Center in Shawnee.

The 24-year-old has only been bowling for two years, but in that time he’s won several Special Olympic medals and trophies in the sport. When Ian is at the bowling center, he is the one constantly encouraging others and displaying the excitement he has just to be out and about enjoying the game.

Yet, it wasn’t too long ago that Ian and his mother Leah were at a much different point in their lives when this type of night out on the town seemed impossible.

“There were many days where Ian and I both were just crumpled together in a ball in the middle of his room. Both of us were just crying and we didn't know what to do,” Leah said. “There were plenty of days when he was a young man that we didn't know if we were going to make it through each day, either of us. But the bond between us is inseparable. Between all of us.”

To see Ian now, it’s hard to imagine the tough road he has been on. Born with intellectual and physical disabilities, doctors didn’t think he would ever be able to take care of himself, much less live a normal life.

But that is exactly what Ian is currently doing. Living in a group home in Shawnee, he has a large room filled with bowling trophies, video games (His favorite is Call of Duty) and a John Grisham book in his private bathroom.

“It’s good. It’s nice,” Ian said. “This is a nice place. I’ve been here almost two years. It’s a pretty nice house. And I’ve had a job for almost two years.”

By Michael Kinney Contributing Writer

To say Ian’s development would all be owed to one factor would be a disservice. It took the work of his entire family (mother and two brothers), his community, social service programs and a medical cannabis card.

“Everything about raising Ian has been kind of a group effort. I'm a recovering addict as well. So I really spent many years in the dark with addiction and alcoholism myself whilst trying to raise three kids in a string of unhealthy relationships,” Leah said. “And cannabis has been what has helped me to overcome the addiction of the other drugs and alcohol. I don't know how I would've ever made it through raising Ian without cannabis as well. And had it been legal when he was young, we probably would've seen a lot better results with him as a youngster.”

Leah said they knew early on that something was going on with Ian. Right after he was born he was responding differently to normal stimuli.

“We knew from birth that Ian had some problems. He was born a couple of weeks early, had to be intubated due to a collapsed lung, and stayed there at the hospital for a couple of weeks until he stabilized and then was hospitalized again for respiratory illness later in that year,” Leah said. “But we could tell that he was behind because he couldn't hold down food and stuff. He always had muscular problems.”

According to Leah, Ian was diagnosed with Global Development Delay, which is the umbrella term used when children are significantly delayed in their cognitive and physical development. Also referred to as global developmental disorder, doctors use the term for individuals under the age of five who exhibit clear signs of a developmental delay but cannot be evaluated for a more specific diagnosis due to their age.

“Doctors were saying things like, ’Oh, he may never walk. He may never talk. We don't know how he's going to function.,” Leah recounted. “He couldn't even sit up on his own at that point. He was basically still a newborn at a year old. At that time with me having problems with drugs in my past, we didn't really know if it was just due to him being born early or if it was from maybe the substances. We really don't know what caused the things. It could have even been genetic for all we know.”

With Ian’s doctors unable to provide a cause for Ian’s condition, the focus shifted to providing him the help he needed to be able to function. Specialists were sent to the Jenkins’ home from SoonerStart, which is an intervention program designed to meet the needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays. They were able to help Leah identify problems and find ways to deal with them as a parent. That included enrolling him in public schools and finding a regular behavioral health therapist.

Despite the help from a variety of different resources, Leah felt overwhelmed and had already been questioning if her home was the right place for her middle child. She was still an addict and trying to raise a special needs child in that type of environment weighed on her. That intensified after she was arrested in front of her kids and they were placed into foster care for nine months while she was in rehab before she was able to get them back.

“It was tough. There were plenty of times that I didn't know if I was the right choice to be raising Ian,” Leah said. “So there were plenty of times that I talked to the therapist. But in Oklahoma in the early 2000s, we didn't have the greatest funding for children with disabilities. I felt like we were lucky to be getting the services we were. They encouraged me to try to take care of him in the home, and they did overlook a lot of my struggles as a parent. They worked with me even though they knew I was struggling with drug addiction at that time. I didn't move into alcoholism until quite a bit later in life. So that was hard going back and forth as a parent on, ‘Do I keep him here with me? Is this the right place to have him?’ And that's tough because you want to take care of your child, but you also want what is best for him. And obviously the state at that point felt like home with us, with his family was where he was best.”

“We brought in cannabis rather than stacking on another pharmaceutical. Ian has progressed more than we ever thought he would, and we are so happy...”

Leah Jenkins

As Ian grew older, the challenges didn’t lessen as much as they just changed. He was diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and an IQ score in the 60s, He was also prone to what his mother calls meltdowns.

“Ian didn't walk until he was three. He wasn't able to talk. It was still very hard for him to eat and stuff like that,” Leah said. “But boy, he was a joyous child. He never let anything dim his spirits. He was always smiling and happy. But on the other hand, he would have tremendous meltdowns. When we went through the police coming to our house and I had to go to jail and all that, they got removed. It was very traumatic for him. As a child he had meltdowns. He was self-harming. He would punch himself in the face and in other sensitive parts. He had problems such as putting dirt and foul things in his mouth and then spitting things like food out. He didn't like loud noises or certain touches.”

When Ian turned 15, Leah believed he needed to be around his father, who was living in Nebraska. Despite his other difficulties, he was still growing into a young man.

“At that point, I had DHS (Department of Human Services) kind of becoming involved because he was a boy and his self-care and me being a woman when it came to things like him being in the shower and such,” Leah said. “So at that point, I kind of felt it was better for him to go and live with his dad for a couple of years to help get through that puberty stage. We just felt it would be better. He moved to Nebraska at that point with his dad when he was about 15 years old. About puberty is when we really started seeing great improvements in him.”

According to Leah, the improvement came almost by accident. This was the first time Ian’s father had been around him for long periods of time and saw up close how much of a handful his son could be.

“Around the time he was 16 years old, his dad did introduce him to his first little bits of cannabis when he was having emotional meltdowns,’ Leah said. “That would kind of be their dad's way of bonding. “That had been the way his dad had coped when he was having problems because he was also in recovery as well. And so that helped him because having an Ian just brought into your life is not easy. It took me, his brothers, his teachers, and the whole Shawnee school system to be incredible. So then his dad having to take that on, I think it was a bit of a shell shock too for both of them. So, they had to find a way to get along together and cannabis was that bridge that helped them connect.”

While Leah was concerned about the legalities since cannabis wasn’t legal in Nebraska, she always felt that it would be beneficial for him because of what it had done to help her in her battle against addiction.

“Even during the times of it not being legal, it had helped me with my own struggles,” Leah said. “And of course, genetically, we pass things down to our kids and their learned behaviors. So a lot of the time we know what works for me, worked for his dad. We're like, geez, this would probably really be great for him. But at the time, there wasn't much education. It was all very, you could get in trouble, get your kid taken. We didn't want to get Ian taken from us, of course.”

However, according to Leah, Cannabis didn’t become a normal part of Ian’s daily routine until he moved back to Oklahoma two years ago.

“When he came back here, one of the first things he asked was if he could get a medical card because he'd experienced cannabis and he loved the way it was helping him cope,” Leah said.

“Because even as an adult, he's calmed down drastically, but he still has these outbursts and he gets where he wants to punch things. He's broken his television, and his phone. So we brought in cannabis rather than stacking on another pharmaceutical since he already takes one pretty heavy pharmaceutical for ADHD. He has an understanding of what pharmaceuticals are and the side effects they give him. He came to us, approached us with us, and so we agreed to get him the medical card at that point.”

“I like to throw strikes and spares,” IAN SAID SMILING.

Ian started out taking gummies and using a vape. But they thought the vape was becoming a crutch when they would take it away from him. So now he just takes one gummy at night before bed. They plan to introduce a tincture to use during the day with low-dose THC to avoid meltdowns at work.

Despite that, when Leah looks back on where Ian is now and the life he is living, it’s something she could never have imagined.

“We always had hopes and we always encouraged, Ian you can do what you set your mind out to do,” Leah said. “So we always encouraged him to have a normal life. But never did I expect him to not have to live with family. I never expected there to be a suitable place for him to reside where we would feel comfortable as his family is leaving him there to reside full-time. And then for him to also have a job that he goes to not just one day a week, which is what the norm for special needs people. But to have a five-day-a-week job where he's doing things such as delivery driver assistant, no, we never expected that for Ian, honestly.”

Yet, it may be Ian’s passion for bowling that is the biggest surprise. Doctors once believed he may never walk or even hold himself upright. Now he is jumping for joy and when he knocks down every pin with thunderous velocity.

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Feminine Divine

BY BRANNAN BELL

Meet Chelsea. She's an intuitive female cultivator at Golden Hour Gardens. She takes pride in being a living soil, micro batch garden. I had the opportunity to learn more about her, what makes her unique and where her deep love for the plant came from. Start reading and get ready to learn!

Chelsea grew up in Blanchard, Oklahoma. Growing up in a small town with plenty of spaces to play and explore always kept her wheels turning. She comes from a very close family, which she values, and that has greatly impacted the person that she is today. As a child, and even as an adult now, being outdoors was the place she was always drawn to. Anything outside was a good time and Chelsea lives for being in the sunshine! Being an Oklahoma girl, she spent time with family at the lake on the weekends, along with riding horses! I believe horses teach you so much and the bond you develop with them is a special and therapeutic feeling. People who ride horses bounce to a beautiful rhythm that not everyone has the chance to experience.

Relating to Chelsea and her time spent growing up, she values live music and how important it is to her to experience that atmosphere more often than not, when she can get away. Her and her husband bond over going to shows together. They got to attend 12 concerts together during their first year of dating! She also has the pleasure of bringing her son to all the Reggae rock shows she can. No matter what she's dealing with, seeing live music always makes her feel joy and gratitude. Traveling re-energizes her and the mountains always leave her feeling inspired and full of life! I can most definitely relate to finding joy and myself in nature. Finding the time to go on an adventure isn't always the case when you have to show up for your plant babes, but balance is necessary.

Back in 2019 when Chelsea and her husband and business partner, Mark, first met, he had a small home grow with his patient license. She began finding herself enjoying helping him with the plants and she started to look forward to doing it together, whenever she would come over. They got to blast music and play in the dirt, feeling the therapeutic benefits of bonding with plants and your partner at the same time. Dreaming up ways they could make this a career a few years ago, Mark and Chelsea are still standing strong in 2024. The journey for them is ever changing, especially with the rules and regulations.

With being extremely passionate about bringing clean, organic plant medicine to the patients of Oklahoma, it’s something they fight to be able to continue on. The transition began at the beginning of the year to becoming a clone nursery. Now, they currently provide unique genetics that have been hunted by them personally, as well as other growers too, along with well known breeder cuts for growers looking to expand their menus. Golden Hour is the exclusive nursery partner with their friends at Hermetic Flower Company, where they share a very similar style of cultivation. It’s a change from them not bringing their own flower to the market for now, but focusing on growing out the healthy mother plants and really honing in on their clothing methods has been an exciting switch up for them.

Chelsea feels like people she has crossed paths with have helped to inspire her spark and love for taking care of plants. She expresses that it's a special thing for her to watch the process from seed to harvest, knowing that she cared for that specific plant at each stage of growth.

“Growing and caring for plants has made me feel more connected with Mother Earth and I feel at peace when I am in the garden, and for that I am so thankful”.

Cannabis has opened her mind in many ways. This plant has helped her to enjoy the present moment, fully. It has made her into more of a free thinker. Cannabis is such a diverse plant, which she loves to explore and experience. When working with plants, you’re always learning, growing with them and finding out more about yourself and touching new parts of you that you didn’t know existed. That’s the power of plants and we’re all connected.

In the garden, she actually enjoys tasks that most would find monotonous and mundane. It clears her mind, and at times she almost goes into a state of meditation. Defoliating is always something that she gets in the zone while doing. Looking at a bed of plants that needs a serious clean up, getting in there, and then stepping back to admire how they look after will always be satisfying to her, even if she’s sore afterwards! In a way, Chelsea sees the plants as her babies, so it always feels good to give them the love and care they need. She also mentioned that one of the perks of having a small commercial facility is that she has the opportunity to get hands on every single plant, every single day.

Chelsea is passionate about helping patients find what works for them. By exploring different terpene profiles and cannabinoid ratios, she loves a good 1:1 strain with it being such a great balance for her body. CBD is an amazing cannabinoid on its own, but when combined with THC, it’s wonderful for daytime use and when she needs to get work done in the garden or around the house! Always encouraging patients to take note of the strains that they love and look into what their terpene profile is. Keeping in mind that it’s not a one size fits all type of thing, Chelsea believes that it’s worth the time it takes to figure out what products will meet your needs.

With her love for plant medicine, she’s also had the chance to explore other forms of plants that have been life changing for her. Psychedelics have been it for her. It has helped her connect to parts of herself that have gotten buried and forgotten about that have missed her love and attention. With being a huge believer in therapy and doing the work, plant medicine has been an extremely important tool in her own journey for digging deep and healing parts of herself. With being open to exploring, she says that she views the world more clearly than she ever has before. This can be a good and bad thing, feeling the sadness more deeply, but also feeling joy and the beauty our world has to offer, so much more deeply as well.

When asking Chelsea how she embraces her own Divine Feminine, it means being true to who she is, ignoring any outside opinions and perceptions that don’t serve her highest good, and listening to her gut. When you spend most of your life being a people pleaser and caring too much about what others want out of you, you jip yourself without fully recognizing it. It's in the awareness of the change and the enlightenment happening while you step into yourself in a way you never knew you could. Stepping into what she sees as being her Divine Feminine and embracing her softness and nurturing nature is exactly what she’s doing. It’s the little things, like not being afraid to dance and laugh loudly, to love fiercely and live without fear of judgment.

I loved to know what people choose to read and where a book takes them. Currently, Chelsea is reading ‘The Body Keeps the Score’. It’s a book about how trauma is stored in the body and how to heal that trauma. Psychology has always been one of her favorite things to study, and her book choices reflect that. Before starting their business, she got accepted into a masters program for clinical psychology, but she ultimately decided against moving forward in that direction.

She’s always finding ways of nourishing her inner child. Chelsea says that it actually comes natural to her with her playful personality and goofy spirit. Dancing barefoot in the grass, wearing butterfly clips in her hair, getting a strawberry tattoo that reminded her of her grandparents garden and picking fresh ones as a kid, are a few of her favorite things! There are so many ways we can say ‘yes’ to our inner child, and it looks different for everyone, but she believes it can be so healing if you give it a chance! There’s so much possibility and opportunity that awaits you.

Chelsea often reminds herself that, “Everything will work out.” She doesn't mean to say that everything will work out how she envisioned it or how she believes it should be, but she does believe that everything will be good in her life at the end of the day. This has a lot to do with having an intentionally positive mindset, along with having the willingness and grit to do everything in her own power to make sure her actions align with how she wants her future to look. There are so many things out of our control in this world, but she has always tried to control her reaction and response to those things, which she says has been helpful in keeping herself sane!

“My mood is elevated everyday when I walk into our little jungle. Even when I feel overwhelmed with tasks, I am quickly reminded how lucky I am to get to do what I do. I always go straight to the speaker to turn on music, take a look at each plant to see how they are doing, and then get to work!”

You can stay in the loop with Chelsea on Instagram @goldenhourgardensok and @goldenhour_chels. Listen to Chelsea and Mark on The Cannabis Hangout Podcast, episode #149: A Labor of Love.

BONO-APE

THE BONO-APE DRIVE

BY JAMES BRIDGES

I SEE SEAN BONO. I’M ABLE TO INTERPRET HIS VERBAL COMMANDS AS PROPULSION AND DRIVE TO DO BETTER AND MORE. WHAT SOME MAY CALL, “OLD SCHOOL” BUSINESS MENTALITY, I SEE AS A PROFOUND JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION AND PURPOSE, ECHOING THE COMPLEXITIES OF HUMAN NATURE AND THE CAPACITY FOR CHANGE. HE HAS BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER THAT I LOOK AT AND GAIN INSPIRATION, NEAR TO THE REALM OF JEALOUSY, AS HE HAS TAKEN A STRONG STANDPOINT AGAINST CONFORMITY. AND I ENVY THAT…

HE'S GONE FROM BEING THE GUY WHO ALWAYS TOOK MORE THAN HE GAVE (HIS WORDS, NOT MINE) TO SOMEONE WHO'S ALL ABOUT THROWING POSITIVITY AND HELP BACK INTO THE MIX. AND WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT WRITING CHECKS FOR GOOD CAUSES. SEAN ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVES AND REALLY GOT STUCK IN, ESPECIALLY WITH HIS WORK SETTING UP SCHOOLS FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. HE'S REDEFINING WHAT SUCCESS MEANS, SHOWING IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT HOW MUCH CASH YOU'VE GOT BUT WHAT YOU DO WITH IT THAT COUNTS.

IT’S OBVIOUS THAT BONO-APE CANNABIS ISN'T JUST A BUSINESS FOR HIM. IT SEEMS WAY MORE LIKE A MISSION TO ME. HE'S BUILT THIS CULTURE OF PUSHING FOR THE BEST, BUT IN A WAY THAT'S ALL ABOUT LIFTING EACH OTHER UP RATHER THAN STEPPING ON EACH OTHER TO GET AHEAD. SEAN'S APPROACH TO PUTTING A TEAM TOGETHER AND KEEPING HIS BUSINESS TICKING OVER ISN'T JUST ABOUT MAKING PROFITS; IT'S ABOUT SETTING A BAR FOR HOW THINGS SHOULD BE DONE.

GRIT, INTEGRITY, AND A WHOLE LOT OF HEART.

BALANCING HIS CRAZY BUSY WORK LIFE WITH BEING A DAD TO TWINS? NOW, THAT ADDS A WHOLE NEW LAYER TO SEAN'S STORY THAT A LOT OF US CAN RELATE TO. HE TALKS ABOUT HIS ALL-IN, KINDA OBSESSIVE NATURE LIKE IT'S HIS SECRET WEAPON. IT'S REFRESHING TO HEAR SOMEONE EMBRACE THEIR QUIRKS AND USE THEM TO DRIVE FORWARD, BOTH IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE.

DIGGING INTO SEAN BONO'S JOURNEY REALLY HAMMERS HOME THIS IDEA THAT CHANGE IS WITHIN REACH, THAT STICKING IT OUT THROUGH TOUGH TIMES PAYS OFF, AND THAT GIVING BACK IN A BIG WAY CAN TRULY REDEFINE WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND. SEAN'S LIFE IS THIS VIVID, REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE OF HOW STAYING DETERMINED AND WANTING TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE CAN LEAD TO AWESOME THINGS. LET’S DARE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT WHAT WINNING REALLY LOOKS LIKE.

Savor the simple joys with Blueberry Honey Scones, made uniquely indulgent with our award-winning Drip Styx honey. Imagine buttery scones bursting with juicy blueberries, each bite sweetened to perfection with the rich, nuanced flavors of our signature honey. This isn’t just a treat; it’s an experience crafted from the heart of nature to your table, combining homemade warmth with a hint of luxury. Let each bite transport you to a moment of pure bliss.

Ingredients :

4 ounces blueberries – fresh or frozen

2 tablespoons Katie’s BaeBees Drip Styx Infused Honey (6 straws)

2 tablespoons Katie’s BaeBees raw honey

1/2 cup heavy cream

8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg chilled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blueberry Honey Scones

Directions :

N A T U R O P A T H & C A N N A B I S

T H E R A P Y C O N S U L T A N T

P e r s o n a l W e l l n e s s

A p p o i n t m e n t s

W o u l d y o u l i k e t o b o o k y o u r o w n h e a l t h a n d

w e l l n e s s a p p o i n t m e n t w i t h D r . H e r n a n d e z ?

F i n d o u t m o r e a t D r P e p p e r H e r n a n d e z c o m t o d a y V i r t u a l a p p o i n t m e n t s a r e a v a i l a b l e

E d u c a t i o n a l P r o g r a m s

W e h a v e s e v e r a l p r o g r a m s t o h e l p e x p l o r e p e r s o n a l s e l f - d e v e l o p m e n t T h e C a n n a b i s

H o l i s t i c I n s t i t u t e C e r t i f i c a t i o n , H o l i s t i c

H e a l t h P r a c t i t i o n e r s P r o g r a m , B u d t e n d e r a n d C h a k r a c l a s s e s a r e a v a i l a b l e t o t h e

g e n e r a l p u b l i c .

I n t e r e s t e d i n t h e p o d c a s t o r r a d i o s h o w ?

Q u a n t u m A l i g n m e n t & J o i n t D i s c u s s i o n

P o d c a s t s a r e a v a i l a b l e a n y w h e r e y o u f i n d p o d c a s t s a n d b r o a d c a s t A c c e s s H u m b o l d t i n A r c a t a , C a l i f o r n i a .

P o d c a s t a n d R a d i o S h o w s

ESSENTIAL SPRING GROWING TIPS FOR OUTDOOR CRAFT CANNABIS GARDENS

As spring blooms anew, outdoor cannabis enthusiasts eagerly prepare to nurture their craft cannabis gardens. For those seeking to cultivate premiumquality buds bursting with flavor and potency, careful attention to organic practices, soil health, and cultivar selection is paramount. In this article, we'll explore essential tips for spring cultivation, focusing on the use of organic compost, soil nutrition, and the art of selecting the perfect cultivar seeds for your outdoor craft cannabis garden.

Lay the Foundation with Organic Compost:

Organic compost is the cornerstone of a healthy and thriving cannabis garden. Begin by enriching your soil with high-quality compost rich in essential nutrients. Compost improves soil structure, enhances water retention, and fosters a robust ecosystem of beneficial microorganisms essential for plant health.

Prepare your garden beds by incorporating compost into the soil, ensuring an optimal growing environment for your cannabis plants.

Feed the Soil and nourish the Plants:

Prioritize soil nutrition by supplementing with organic amendments to meet the unique needs of your cannabis plants.

Consider adding natural fertilizers such as composted manure, bone meal, kelp meal, and worm castings to provide a balanced array of macro and micronutrients. Utilize cover crops like clover or vetch to add nitrogen, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure, contributing to long-term soil health and fertility.

Choose the Correct Cultivar Seeds:

Selecting the right cultivar seeds is crucial for achieving the desired characteristics in your craft cannabis.

Research cultivars suited to your climate, considering factors such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight requirements.

Look for cultivars renowned for their terpene profiles, cannabinoid content, and overall flavor and aroma profiles, ensuring a truly exceptional end product.

Opt for cultivars bred for outdoor cultivation, with robust genetics capable of thriving in natural conditions and resisting pests and diseases

Embrace Biodiversity and Companion Planting:

Embrace the principles of biodiversity by integrating companion plants into your cannabis garden.

Companion plants such as marigolds, basil, and lavender can help repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and improve soil health through nutrient cycling. Create a harmonious ecosystem where diverse plant species coexist, fostering resilience and sustainability within your outdoor garden.

Practice Sustainable Cultivation Techniques:

Practice sustainable cultivation techniques to minimize environmental impact and promote eco-conscious gardening practices.

Implement water-saving measures such as drip irrigation or mulching to conserve water and reduce runoff.

Avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides, opting instead for organic pest management strategies and cultural practices to maintain a healthy garden ecosystem.

As you embark on your journey of spring cultivation in your outdoor craft cannabis garden, remember that success lies in the meticulous care and attention you devote to your plants and soil. By prioritizing organic compost, nourishing the soil, and selecting the perfect cultivar seeds, you can cultivate premium-quality cannabis that embodies the essence of craftsmanship and sustainability.

May your garden flourish abundantly, yielding a bountiful harvest of artisanal buds for your enjoyment and appreciation.

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Educated & Trained Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change.

Written

by Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D., CTC, CNHP in ECS & Naturopathic Medicine, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, The Founder and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute. To find out more about her Telemedicine Consultations, Educational Programs, YouTube videos, and other creative content, you can find her on the massive inter-webs on all platforms or at drpepperhernandez.com. Go forth, Go Cannabis...

By James Bridges

"Greens is kind of my gig because I like, do salads.”

Shannon Illingworth is the CEO and founder of NUGZ Premium Cannabis and Elixir House of Flowers. He led myself and my team of observers through the gates of his hidden fortress. What awaited us had been anticipated for months. We were finally visiting NUGZ Premium and their state of the art cultivation facility.

As we entered the 100,000 SQ Ft facility I was nearly overwhelmed by its enormity. This was a first of its kind for my eyes. Rows and rows of precisely monitored and controlled custom containers inside of a giant warehouse. Mostly controlled and monitored by an automated system with assistance from very few, yet very skilled cultivators.

“I like healthy salads and I know what a “good healthy” salad is. I very much prefer a clean and natural product that is actually “cleaner” than most available in stores today.

It’s essentially impossible to grow anything outdoors here in Oklahoma, at least year round. Maybe a couple months out of the year you'll see something nicer. Like that brown lettuce…” We both smiled.

Shannon is also the creator of Produce Now. This is the launching pad for NUGZ. “So the idea behind it is that Produce Now stands on its own. Produce Now is the reason why it got into this cannabis industry. It was to revolutionize the way we grow produce. Self sustainable produce, right?” Shannon was explaining, “Anybody can grow the best produce on the planet if you had your own modular greenhouse. So I created them in 2016.”

Produce now is a system where anybody can grow inside at the ease of flipping on some switches and maintaining a very navigable and functional home grow. “So you can grow your own leafy greens or whatever you decide to grow inside.”

Shannon was happy to state, “We're doing leafy greens, we're doing strawberries, we're doing peppers, we're doing tomatoes, so we have different environments for all those different kinds of grows.”

The company prides itself on giving people the opportunity to be self-sustainable. “For some reason our government doesn't seem to want to allow us to be selfsustainable.” Shannon was true from the heart, “They're trying to take our ability to produce or grow our own food. They'll control your food costs. We need a better way to manage our own costs, so we can grow our own food.”

The conversation flowed effortlessly into the intricacies of their operation. NUGZ has mastered the art of small-batch production on a large scale, a feat made possible by their extensive facility and a keen understanding of the specific needs of different strains. "So many strains, because every strain needs its own ecosystem. Everything needs its own way of growing." He elaborated, underscoring the precision and care woven into their cultivation practices.

Their product lineup is as diverse as it is impressive, with strains like Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Parfait, and Sunday Driver, each perpetually grown to ensure a constant supply of top-quality cannabis. This meticulous attention to detail extends beyond cultivation to their innovative approach to product offerings, including the intriguing concept of fresh salads sold at local dispensaries—a nod to their commitment to health and wellness.

Our discussion ventured into the broader vision of "Produce Now," an initiative born from the desire to revolutionize the way we grow produce. The idea is simple yet profound: empower individuals to cultivate their own sustainable produce, thereby reclaiming control over their food sources. This ambition, fueled by a blend of technological innovation and a deep respect for nature, is a reflection of the broader ethos that guides NUGZ.

As we delved deeper, the conversation took a turn towards the regulatory and societal challenges facing the cannabis industry. The passion and frustration were evident as we talked about the hurdles of bureaucracy, the need for community unity, and the

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