HERBAGE MAGAZINE May/June 2022 ISSUE 43

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erb age

magazine

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Sarah Lee

Gossett Parrish Excellence. Efficiency. Integrity.

405/815-3434 slgparrish@slgparrishlaw.com www.sarahleegossettparrish.com

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lawyer cannabis | litigation | oil & gas

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ISSUE NUMBER 43 May 2022

Table Of Contents James Bridges Owner/Publisher Tarra Quinn Advertising Director Katie Hazen Social Media Director Anna Ervin Designer & Staff Writer Photography by: Justen Christensen The Herb Chronicles John Dorsey Media James Bridges Advertising Amber Roberts Contributors: Charles “Uncle Chuck ”Duncan Chet Tucker Dr. Pepper Hernandez Jessi Lane Michael Kinney Advertising Inquiries Stuff@Herbagemag. com NOW OFFERING Herbage Magazine Herbage Social Herbage TV Herbage Events Herbage Collabs

PG 4 / ABOUT THE COVER PG 6 / THE BUDTENDER DIARIES PG 12 / BURNOUT PG 14 / FEMININE DIVINE PG 17 / THE CANNXIETY CHRONICLES PART 4...

PG 18 / TAROSTROLOGY GEMINI SEASON PG 21 / COMPLIANCE IN A COUNTRY OF CANNABIS PG 22 / FREEDOM FLOWER PG 24 / COULD RAW CANNABIS BE THE NEW SUPERFOOD? PG 27 / ANDREW LOPEZ PG 28 / WHERE DOES IT END PG 30 / WE GOTTA TAKE THE POWER BACK PG 37 / THE CHRONISSEUR

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ABOUT erb age H THE COVER

magazine

MOTHER NATURE - BY WILL OWENS, CREATOR

I’ve always had a vivid imagination and dreamscape that lights a fire within me to share what’s in my head.

This particular idea was simple. The piece began with an image seared into my brain from a dream. A glowing floral entity of light sprouting from darkness and extending her life unto the earth. Her roots spiraled into flowers with faces eventually becoming fully formed people indistinguishable from any human that ever existed. I felt this with such an intensity that I worked for months creating this piece.

We come from the earth, Mother Nature is our creator, and we owe her everything. We must respect our mother and every subsequent mother that brings life to this world. The color, aroma, peace, and unconditional love embodied by flowers is just one of many aspects of our world that we are in a unique position to appreciate and preserve as parts of ourselves.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY Up-and-coming artist Will Owens has been refining his visual storytelling abilities for the last 20 years. From his crude childhood etchings to the surrealist paintings of idyllic and dystopian dream worlds, his work continues to evolve by the day. Inspired by a passion for neuroscience and perception, he channels the mysteries of his dreams onto the canvas to remind us that everything is not always as it seems.

The bizarre scenes are intended to provoke thought, introspection, and action to preserve the world around us. Born in Oklahoma, he fell in love with nature and felt a deep sense of connection with the earth that seemed to be forgotten and even denied by many. A desire to remind us of our ecological niche and biological origins has driven him to create unique works of art that peel back the layers of humanity. This eccentric young man is just getting started.

CONTACT BURLAPSACKK@GMAIL.COM FOR INQUIRIES.

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THE BUDTENDER

DIARIES:

QUESTIONS PATIENTS SHOULD ASK THEIR BUDTENDERS

BY ANNA ERVIN

P

otentially one of the most intimidating things followers to contribute the most helpful questions about visiting a dispensary as a new patient patients can ask their dispensaries. Today I wantis knowing the right questions to ask. From ed to dive into why some of those questions are so a budtender’s perspective, it’s easy to say “just important, and how both patients and budtenders ask about the terpenes,” or “pay attention to the can navigate the discussion in a way that offers lineage” but what if you’re only just beginning to education and transparency. embark on your journey into cannabis education?

Topics like terpenes and genetics might feel a bit I’M INTERESTED IN THIS PRODUCT, CAN I overwhelming, but this doesn’t make them any SEE THE COA? less important.

Certificates of Analysis can tell you almost everyWhen I first began shopping for legal cannabis, I thing you need to know about a product. When it lived in Denver, and my experiences in dispensa- comes to flower, the COA will show you who cultiries were borderline traumatic. I remember feeling vated it, when it was harvested, when it was testlike a burden to the budtenders who didn’t seem to ed, and what those lab results provided. Extracts, think any of my questions were valid, much less did topicals and edibles are a bit trickier, as they don’t they want to answer them. To be fair, many of my often provide the full details, such as who originalquestions sounded like “what are you smoking,” ly cultivated the flower before extraction and prowhich I now fully recognize is a loaded question cessing (always room for improvement). (again, this doesn’t make it any less important).

Every dispensary in compliance with state regulaQuestions are an invitation to provide education, tions should have COA’s readily available. Even if transparency, and empowerment for our patients. you don’t understand the test results right away, It’s the customer’s way of saying, “please help me this is a great place to help you start asking your make an informed decision on the medicine I’m budtender questions about a specific product. purchasing.” In turn, a budtender’s responsibility is to offer as many resources as possible.

WHAT TYPES OF CULTIVATION OR EXTRACTION METHODS WERE USED? So where to begin? I recently shared a post on The Budtender Diaries Instagram page asking my When purchasing flower, it’s important to remem-

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ber that different types of growers use various cultivation methods. This is a topic I would love to dive into further, but for now, simply finding out what works best for you is the goal. The different nutrients, pesticides, herbicides, and especially the curing methods used in cultivation can affect the flavor, aroma, and experience that the final product offers; and the extraction methods used for processing concentrates, topicals, and edibles carry an even greater influence.

out, and this one helps me get creative, while this one puts me right to sleep…”

To dive deeper into this topic you can ask if flower is organic or conventional, what types of pesticides or herbicides were used in cultivation, and what types of solvents (if any) were used for the extraction of concentrates, topicals, and edibles.

The Budtender Diaries is a multi-media platform that aims to provide educational resources and opportunities for budtenders and patients. If you are a member of this community, you have the potential to help create an industry that benefits both patients and the makers of their medicine. If you have questions, stories, or topics you’d like to add to the conversation, please submit them to anna@ herbagemag.com.

WHAT ARE THE CANNABINOID AND TERPENE PERCENTAGES? WHAT ARE THE PREDOMINANT TERPENES IN THIS PRODUCT AND WHAT ARE THEIR REPORTED BENEFITS? Believe me when I say that cannabinoids and terpenes can feel like overwhelming topics to dive into at first, but once you begin to understand their individual effects, you can’t help but pay attention to them. Common cannabinoids are THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN, and your budtender can tell you more about the reported benefits of each. Products with high THC percentages will provide more of a psychotropic experience than products dominant in CBD. Terpenes, on the other hand, will help you identify the flavors and aromas that you most enjoy, as well as enhance the overall experience.

Don’t be afraid to get specific with your questions: Can you recommend something that will help my body relax, but won’t make me sleepy? If I’ve enjoyed this strain in the past, what would you recommend that’s similar?

—

FOLLOW THE BUDTENDER DIARIES ON INSTAGRAM @THETENDERDIARIES

Ask your budtender which terpenes are reported to provide an active, euphoric experience, and which might provide a relaxing, sedative effect. If either of you finds yourself stumped, you can always refer to online resources to tell you more.

WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING? The return of the loaded question. Budtenders tend to either love or hate this one, but to me, this question invites a deep discussion on the benefits of various cultivars. It took me a long time to figure out how to answer this one, as I enjoy so many different products for various things. But when it came down to it, that’s exactly how I explained it to my patients. “Well, I use this strain as a pre-work-

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HONOR

MEMORIAL DAY

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BURNOUT

BY ANNA ERVIN

I

used to think that burnout was the result of being in a profession I didn’t love or a situation that wasn’t quite right for me. But as I’ve continuously pushed myself into careers and job opportunities that I do enjoy, I have found myself burdened by the same patterns of exhaustion. Tasks that I once viewed as priveleges become overwhelming and stressful, creative blockages keep me up reworking my projects late into the night, and my social battery starts to do that thing iPhone batteries do when they stop holding a charge altogether.

The truth is, no matter how much I love the work I do, I can still manage to drive myself to the point of physical, emotional, and creative exhaustion. This is not the goal, of course. So why do I keep ending up here?

I don’t think I’m alone in feeling any of this. Throughout the cannabis industry in particular, I hear stories from people confronted by the same uphill climb. As one might expect, these stories become exceedingly more prevalent in the weeks after April 20th, a day that each year following the passing of 788, has launched the industry into a threemonth-long season packed full of events and festivals. Of course we all love what we do, but doing it every single weekend, after a full work week can quickly become exhausting.

Burnout doesn’t have to mean that whatever you’ve invested your time and energy into is bad for you. Much of my profession relies on my own organization, time management, and creative initiative. It is up to me to ensure that the environment I work in is healthy, happy, and equipped with tools to help me succeed. When those elements are not in alignment with my career path, I know it’s time to create some boundaries.

Boundaries are often something I struggle with. I have no problems respecting most everyone else’s rules, but establishing and reinforcing my own feels a bit intimidating at times. For example, when I get overwhelmed, my home environment begins to reflect my state of mind.

Dishes and laundry pile up, clutter begins to take over my apartment, and thinking about dealing with any of that sends me spiraling with anxiety. It’s not that I don’t have time to deal with it, but that I don’t make time.

Adopting healthier boundaries here could look like saying no to projects that are too big for my busy schedule, sitting out an event or two, or delegating a bit of my work load to someone who has offered a hand (asking for and receiving help is a topic for another time). These shifts could allow me to set myself up for future success without compromising the integrity of my work.

Of course, I fully recognize that some of these tasks are easier said than done. But wouldn’t it also be easier if I didn’t have to push myself to the point of exhaustion each day? The work you put into the world is only going to be the best when you are at your best.

Take care of yourselves sweet friends.

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Feminine Divine The Holy Energy Making a Planetary Impact

by Jessi Lane Patient Advocate

Asma (“Ess-mah”) is a Palestinian Refugee, an entrepreneur, and a military spouse. She is an advocate for holistic healing and mindful living- a fierce protector of her family, of her personal goal and of our planet. She embodies the Divine Feminine. Goop.com tells us, “The sacred feminine energy is nurturing, soft, grounded with strong boundaries, and trusting of her intuition. The sacred masculine energy is present, logical, and focused with a deep desire to protect and build.1” The synergetic union of energies allow us to embrace “all that makes us human and holy,2” according to Goop.

“I believe God works and flows through energy.” Asma says. “It’s in everything around us. It’s in us.”

Asma grew up in a Muslim household with Christian extended family. Everyone prays for her to “see the light,” she says. “When I was a little girl, I thought God was this enormous giant.” She motions to the empty booth seat next to her in the dimly lit coffee shop, “Now I imagine God next to me all day -that respected fear.”

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He tur ne ga ne ral eq Sp 20 du of to pri mi fou Sh se are so Th wa mo for thi ou af Lit bro a c the the be an er’ As wo did ha wo he ey tim Die Fli en he qu be str the pre ea de Alm ca rie alo On ten ch ma ica the on erf “M him ing is bro As ly he on tat

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an d a vondher nd he ells gy ith of cund rotic man op. ws It’s s.” semee as his to her ow ay

Her decade-long passion project turned small-batch skincare business, Feel This, is handmade, organic, inclusive, and breaking into new territories. “If it is not of natural source, it is eliminated from our equation,” she says. Los Angeles’ Spectrum News 1 reported in June 2020 that the national cannabis industry generates 150 million tons of waste annually. Feel This aims to reduce that human carbon footprint by reducing the amount of microplastics and toxic chemicals found in skincare products.

She believes every ingredient serves a purpose and says, “we are here to give your skin cells something healthy to feed on.”

This mission of clean healthy food was likely derived from Asma’s mother and her grandmother before her. “My mom cooked everything. We weren’t allowed to eat out.” With a wide grin she recounts a friendly negotiation with the local Little Caesars staff. Asma and her brothers would pay for a slice or a couple and receive a whole pie they would then scarf down with their favorite side - hot Cheetos before they trashed the evidence and headed home for their mother’s delicately crafted meals.

Asma’s mother was a determined woman in a new country. She didn’t speak the language and had three mouths to feed. As she worked relentlessly to provide for her children, Asma kept a watchful eye over her brothers. For some time, they made a home in San Diego but eventually moved to Flint, Michigan. Once she was old enough Asma moved to be near her father who was living in Tahlequah. Her brothers soon followed behind her, but the little family struggled to protect them from themselves. Her father, an entrepreneur, graduated from Northeastern State University with his degree in Mathematics. It was an Alma Matter Asma would one day call her own. But not without experiencing immeasurable heartache along the way.

One of Asma’s brothers had gotten into trouble and hit with pot charges. Because he was a Permanent Resident in Trump’s America and he was deported to Jordan, the place of his birth. “He was on one of the first boats,” Asma powerfully recollects through tears.

“My reason to grind is to bring him home,” she continues, “nothing scares me because nothing is scarier than having your baby brother deported.” While in prison Asma’s brother learned to fluently read and write in Spanish and he learned to tattoo. He has gone on to become a high profile skilled tattooer in Jordan with an extenHerbAge_magazin_2022.indd 15

sive celebrity client list. Asma will never stop pursuing her goals in the name of her brother. The silver lining lies where, through her beloved brother, Asma met Calebher partner in matrimony and in business. He is her constant supporter- quiet, with a sweet knowing smile.

Asma became a mother on someone else’s mission. Pregnant with her daughter, Sophie, Asma moved to South Korea, where Caleb was stationed. A military spouse in unfamiliar territory she had developed a perinatal dermal condition. She reached out to her grandma oversees for relief. In her home growing up, when someone had a nagging cough, it was treated with a spoonful of sesame or Tahini oil. Asma recommends this home remedy to this day. For her rash Asma’s Teta recommended warm olive oil blended with sugar into a paste. Later when baby Sophie developed cradle cap, Feel This Old Fashioned Bütter was too born.

Through isolation and a longing for community Asma discovered Hearts on a Mission, a health and wellness support group of military spouses. Her friend Gia encouraged her to turn her handcrafted home remedies into a marketable product. “You have a gift,” she told Asma. The Hearts on a Mission ladies put their money where their mouths were. “They wiped me out!” she joyfully recounted. With two thousand dollars in her pocket Asma embarked on her relentless personal mission to heal the planet and our bodies, no matter who told her she couldn’t do it along the way- and they told her. “They said you won’t. I said f-ing watch me.”

Caleb and Asma moved back to Oklahoma where Asma personally shattered glass ceilings in the automotive dealership industry.

She knocked the machismo out of every service department she touched by excelling in customer service, retention and upsells.

Caleb too excelled as a Service Advisor. She lovingly reminisces, “He respected my boundaries as a woman in the car industry.” In November 2018, the couple obtained their OMMA patient licenses. Having lugged the hefty stash of yogurt and mason jars used in her alchemy everywhere they called home, Asma at one point bought a couple of grams of CBD isolate, “just to play around.” She began formulating with her tried and true recipes.

There was no stopping her from climbing to reach her goals and continue to shatter those ceilings along her way to the top.

Asma persevered through business licensing, incessant pack-

aging delays and interpersonal industry heartbreak. She went on to single-handedly plug her renowned Feel This product line into one hundred dispensaries. Feel These products include Asma’s famous Feel This Lipbôm - voted Oklahoma’s best cannabis lip balm in 2021 by Herbage readers - her incomparable Mineral Sünscreen and Coffee Sügar Scrub, plus Shower Stēamers, Underarm Bâr and other unique skincare food. But this road to the top has not been paved with gold and Asma has had to do some real soul searching as she pivots from the cannabis market to a boutique beauty and spa client list by removing THC from her entire line sans Lipbôm. Nearly all Feel This products are now hemp derived.

While pondering the state-required packaging labels adhered to her precious metal tin reading “Women should not use marijuana or medical marijuana products during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects” and “Keep out of reach of children,” Asma began to reevaluate her target clientele.

“My real clients are babies and grandmas,” she declared. I had to ask myself, “Do I want 1% of the world or 90% of Oklahoma?” With her eyes on that glass ceiling prize Asma is creating opportunity for herself using all her valuable skills.

Recently Asma and Caleb have launched a new project they call the Alpha Experience Collective offering creative one on one and group training to companies looking to transform their customer experience. Alpha Experience provides data driven results in the form of comprehensive brand strategy, interactive sales training, problem-solution strategies, recruitment and hiring, and many other customer retention and upsell points. The days of working to prove a point are behind her as Asma has written off crying over other people’s opinions.

A natural entrepreneur, Asma has many aspirations to heal the planet and its people including an animated children’s storybook character, Frank, the Alpha Experience Center, and maybe even a clothing line. She also dreams of creating a rehabilitation facility with a voluntary one year sign up that would include dorms, commissary, church and holistic, plant-based therapies because Asma is never doing anything for just her. She arrives for battle waving a banner of all the names of the people she loves and fights for. Even all of us and all the things are around us, for they too are holy energy.

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Certified Ganjiers Bring Comprehensive Judging Standards to OK’s Premier Cannabis Competition and Festival Stillwater, OK - The Cowboy Cup, Oklahoma’s premier cannabis championship and arts festival, has partnered with Ganjier, the first of its kind cannabis sommelier certification program, for the Cowboy Cup Championship Powered by Ganjier™ on Dec. 2nd and 3rd in Stillwater, OK. The fourth annual Cowboy Cup event brings together Oklahoma licensed growers, processors, vendors and enthusiasts in the spirit of competition, collaboration, and celebration of Oklahoma’s booming cannabis industry–with the Cowboy Cup Championship Powered by Ganjier™ bringing an elevated standard of credibility to to the judging of this already-prestigious competition.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ganjier to provide a new level of judging expertise to the Cowboy Cup Championship as we build on our reputation as the most prestigious cannabis competition in Oklahoma,” said CEO Daniel Lewis. “We pride ourselves on having the most fair, unbiased, and educated judging of any competition in the country–and bringing Certified Ganjiers™ on board doubles down on that commitment to all growers and processors who compete in this year’s Cowboy Cup Championship Powered by Ganjier™.

Ganjier is a first-of-its-kind, rigorous, multi-tiered cannabis sommelier certification created and taught by the most respected names in the field with the intent of producing an entirely new class of cannabis professional. As Masters of Cannabis Service, they are expertly trained in assessing and grading cannabis flower and concentrate quality using Ganjier’s signature Systematic Assessment Protocol™.

“The Cowboy Cup Championship Powered by Ganjier™ is a perfect demonstration of what Certified Ganjiers™ bring to the table–they are a true voice for quality as a trusted, reliable, and verifiable guide for the cannabis consumer,” said Derek Gilman, Managing Director of Ganjier. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Cowboy Cup for an event that raises the bar for cannabis connoisseurs in Oklahoma by recognizing the best of the best in the spirit of fair competition.”

Oklahoma licensed cannabis growers and processors dedicated to strengthening the impact and quality of the medical cannabis industry will enter their products in the Cup to be tested and judged to determine the highest quality products in Oklahoma. Winners will gain recognition as a top Oklahoma grower or processor earning them greater demand and higher prices for their wholesale products.

Prospective judges will apply via the Cowboy Cup website, and will be hand-selected to rate entries via our point based system on Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Cure/Trim and Overall Experience. From there the Certified Ganjiers™ will handle the final judging process as they are given the top 15 selections in each of the three flower categories selected, and they will determine the award winners in each of these categories.

Along with the awards ceremony and live music, event highlights include an art exposition featuring local Oklahoma artists, glass blowing demonstrations, vendor booths, and educational seminars from top cannabis experts. Local food trucks will be on-site and alcohol sales will be available for the over-21 crowd.

Tickets go on sale July 10th, with fill details of the two-day event at https://www.cowboycup.com.

About The Cowboy Cup

The Cowboy Cup is Oklahoma's premier and most comprehensive cannabis competition. It is held annually in December to include Oklahoma cannabis growers and processors, including outdoor flower.

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About Ganjier

In the tradition of the wine sommelier, cigar aficionado, or master chocolatier, Ganjier is a first-of-its-kind, rigorous, multi-tiered cannabis sommelier certification created and taught by the most respected names in the field with the intent of producing an entirely new class of cannabis professional—the Ganjier.

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THE CANNXIETY CHRONICLES PART 4...

Y

ou know those commercials that show a man on one side of the screen and a woman on the other and at the end they let you know that he makes much more pay than her?

Have you ever wondered to yourself, why are they telling me? It's not like I control her (or his) pay. It’s safe to say that the majority of people seeing that commercial have little or no control over anyone’s pay. There are more worker bees than manager bees in the world.

The short answer is, they are recruiting you to be an advocate for equal pay between men and women. They want you to get out and demand a change. That is the goal of advocacy. To support a change. To really make a change, in my opinion, you have to be willing to share your story. Why are you interested in the specific change for which you advocate?

We each have our own story and they are as important as they are unique. Fear and embarrassment often hold us back from telling our story and working toward receiving the help we need and living our best lives. This is my personal story and I truly hope that by telling it I inspire others to do so as well.

Charles “Uncle Chuck” Duncan A middle aged cannabis advocate living in central Oklahoma.

Founder of Uncle Chuck’s Cannabis Camp ( theuccc. com ) charlesduncan68@ gmail.com Cannabis Advocate, Educator, and Consultant A friend of the leaf for over 35 years

Opening oneself to the world, or in this case the followers of my articles, blogs and podcasts, is no easy task. It’s hard enough to talk to your family and friends about your mental health. Telling people you have never met and putting it in print often opens up a whole new set of challenges. Even more so for some battling anxiety and depression.

It’s often difficult to talk about an illness when that illness contributes to your silence. But ironically, talking about it is one of the strongest weapons you have when battling these mental health issues. Like leaving a job you’ve hung on too long, it can be very liberating to open up to others about your challenges. And when you do, chances are you will be amazed at the number of people who want to help. Nurturing is in our DNA, it’s just not in the DNA of those responsible for most of the media and advertising so you don’t see it. But it’s there.

My testimonial on my battles with anxiety and depression started when I was very young. My father was in the Air Force so we moved often.

Like almost every year. This combined with a skin condition made life very interesting and sometimes cruel. Interesting in the fact that I got to see new places and meet new people all the time. I was the new kid and I had a skin condition. That made me easy fodder for the attention seekers and bullies of the world. I fought back with humor and finding ways to get along with who I could. I did, in hindsight, develop more friends than enemies but since we moved a lot, i never really got to see those friends for more than a year. Then it was a new state, new set of friends (and bullies.

All that ended in 6th grade. My dad finished his stint in the military so our annual migration ended. And so did I, being the new kid. The skin condition and bullies were still there, but so were friends. Friends I would have this year, next year and in some cases decades later.

Friends who learned about my skin condition and came to me with love and empathy and not hate and ignorance. These traits of love and empathy, as I would soon learn, would benefit me more than I could ever imagine.

You see, having the pleasure of not being the new guy and being able to hang out with friends that I knew for more than a year shined a spotlight on a previously undiscovered condition I suffered from, other than the previously mentioned skin affliction. Anxiety. More specifically, anxiety when speaking to large groups. Something I never had to experience before as my circle of “friends” stayed small until now. Also lucky for me, my new circle of friends included someone who would introduce me to cannabis. Not as a party drug but specifically as a way to battle symptoms of anxiety. Did it work? Well I currently advocate for groups that sometimes number in the thousands. And I got here by telling a friend 35 years ago of my anxiety. Imagine who you might help by just speaking your story to a friend, professional or family member.

WWW.UNCLECHUCK420.COM

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TAROSTROLOGY:

Tarostrology Gemini Season

BY ANNA ERVIN hough I write this editorial nearly a month before it’s published, I can already see how the cards for Gemini season deliver unlimited possibilities. Many of the signs drew messages that resonate with their individual characteristics. For example, I pulled the King of Wands for my own sun sign (Aries), which puts me right in my element and reminds me of my leadership abilities. Pisces drew the Hermit, a card that many (like myself) might find intimidating while sweet Pisces placements often enjoy their alone time.

Lately, I’ve found that the card of my rising sign seems to resonate with me the most If you know your rising sign, or ascendant, I recommend reading that first. Use the following guidelines along with your natal chart to give the cards a deeper meaning (for example, the card that falls under your moon sign will apply to your subconscious and emotion).

Sun: identity Moon: emotions Ascendant: personality Venus: love

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GEMINI–PAGE OF WANDS CURIOSITY, EXPLORATION Happy Birthday sweet Gemini! You might find that this season delivers a bit of a playful, explorative tone as the page of wands indicates taking a childlike approach toward creative ideas and projects.

Consider allowing yourself to quiet that ever-so-active mind of yours and allow your intuition to take the lead. Get curious about the way you allow energy to flow in your life. Children are unattached to ideals and outcomes, allowing them to explore and create beyond the limitations that many of us, as adults, place on ourselves. Are there any areas of your life where you could afford to relinquish some control and open up to new possibilities?

Adopting an open mind and exploring new ideas allows me to have fun with the natural flow of energy in my life.

CANCER–FIVE OF PENTACLES LACK OF RESOURCES, VICTIM-MENTALITY Nothing tells me that Cancer is going through it right now better than the five of pentacles. This month could deliver a series of hardships, leading you to feel alone in your struggles. I’d like to invite you to consider this: are you feeling helpless because others refuse to help, or could it be that you refuse to receive help? Sometimes it feels like you’re drowning while the whole world keeps swimming around you. It’s not that your friends and family don’t care about you, they might not even realize the weight of the burdens you carry. It’s important to learn how to communicate your needs with the world around you, and to open yourself up to receiving.

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MAY 21, 2022 - JUNE 21, 2022 I am safe and supported. My needs are met when I communicate clearly with the universe.

LEO–EIGHT OF SWORDS FEELING STUCK, MENTAL BLOCKS Leo, the card I drew for you this month should feel familiar because I pulled it just two moon cycles prior. The eight of swords once again invites you to examine the limitations and boundaries that you allow to tie you down.

It’s time to unbind yourself from those burdens and open your eyes to the reality of your situation– the only person holding you back is you. What kind of limiting beliefs have you allowed to occupy your headspace? Do the people and energies in your life support your best interest or limit your mobility? It’s not always easy to face the truth, but you and I both know you can’t stay stuck here forever.

I am dissolving the limitations of my own mind. My thoughts support a healthy flow of energy.

VIRGO–THE DEVIL UNHEALTHY ATTACHMENTS Fear not, sweet Virgo, for the devil card is not nearly as scary as it looks.

This month invites you to consider the attachments in your life that are holding you back or keeping you chained to lower vibrational frequencies. It’s time to take a closer look at the relationship you have with the people in your life, technology, and your own vessel. Unhealthy attachments can come in the form of addiction, toxic relationships, and self-harm. What is it time to let go of?

I lovingly release that which no longer serves me, which never served me to begin with.

LIBRA–THREE OF SWORDS HEARTBREAK, LOSS Libra, it’s likely that you’re already aware of the heartache that the three of swords implies. Sometimes our lives move in a different direction than that of those we care for. Trust that the absence of others,

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SCORPIO–STRENGTH EMOTIONAL STRENGTH The focus for Scorpio placements this month is strength, but I’m not talking about the kind you build at the gym. This type of strength will require you to better understand the inner workings of your heart, and learn how to transmute your deepest emotions into lessons in healing and growth. What can you learn from the things that bring you sadness, and alternatively, the things that bring you joy? When you feel angry, what is your heart trying to communicate with you?

My sensitivity gives me strength, and my vulnerability makes me resilient.

My open heart is a blessing.

SAGITTARIUS–THE SUN CHILDLIKE BLISS, EUPHORIC I can’t think of a more perfect card for my sweet Sagittarius friends than the sun itself. This joyous card predicts forecasts of sunshine and blissful days. Gemini season will likely invite Sagittarius placements to tap into their inner child and look at life as one big adventure— something that should come easily for most of you. Let yourself bask in the light, fulfill your sense of wander, and find space to hold gratitude for each of the tiny blessings you find along the way.

When I send love and joy into the universe, love is returned to me, joy surrounds me.

CAPRICORRN–THE STAR INSPIRATION, HOPE Capricorn, if you have recently found yourself in the midst of turmoil, the star indicates a renewed sense of hope and faith in the universe’s plan for you. The struggles you have faced have taught you important

TAROSTROLOGY:

or the end of a relationship, no matter how painful, will likely help you grow into the version of yourself you long to be. Everything is in alignment with your plans, Libra, but sometimes that means having to walk away from people and situations that are not.

I gravitate towards healthy love. The relationships in my life are in alignment with the highest version of me.

lessons about the role you play in this world, and the values you hold dearest to you. It’s time to open yourself up to a fresh perspective and new sources of inspiration. Allow this hopeful energy to carry you to new heights in the pursuit of your dreams.

I am in alignment with the universe’s plan for me. I find hope in both darkness and light.

AQUARIUS–THE MOON ILLUSION, SUBCONSCIOUS ENERGY Sweet Aquarius, this month, the moon’s dreamy message indicates that you may be experiencing subconscious breakthroughs, or a persistent “gut feeling” lately. Allow those intuitive thoughts and messages to flow. The universe is trying to help you to notice energies that require a deeper awareness to perceive. Keep a dream journal, pay attention to synchronicities, and trust the natural flow of your subconscious thoughts.

My subconscious allows me to witness the natural patterns and synchronicities that surround me.

PISCES–THE HERMIT ALONE-TIME, PERSONAL GROWTH The hermit implies comfort in solitude for Pisces placements this month, which should make this dreamy sign feel right in their element. Pisces may enjoy the company of others, but typically have no issues being on their own. Right now, you are being challenged to use that alone time for personal growth and development. Cancel your plans, turn your phone on DND, and dive whole-heartedly into the things that inspire you to learn.

When I sit comfortably in my own silence I learn valuable lessons about myself and the world around me.

ARIES–KING OF WANDS ENTREPRENEUR, VISIONARY Aries, this Gemini season should invite confidence in your leadership skills and success in your entrepreneurial efforts. Fiery Aries placements are often known for being visionaries, and the king of wands emphasizes following through with these goals.

Move with intention, stay focused, and believe that you have the power to achieve great things.

I lead my life with intention and meaning, because I know I have the power to manifest great success.

TAURUS–SIX OF WANDS CELEBRATION, VICTORY Lovely Taurus placements should be gloating with pride as the six of wands invites a season of celebration and accomplishment. It appears as though whatever you have poured your efforts into lately has met some milestone of achievement. You might find yourself surrounded by people cheering you on, and it’s important to allow this sense of pride and victory to remind you of all that you are capable of.

I humbly applaud myself for each milestone of success and reward my efforts with celebration.

19

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13.05.2022 21:17:50

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Compliance In A Country Of Cannabis

By Michael Kinney

When Donnie Pyatt was asked to describe Country Cannabis, some of the first words he uttered were ‘veteran-owned’.

As the Chief Compliance Officer of the Oklahoma-based dispensary, he could have used a myriad of different phrases, but that seemed to be the one that was most important to him.

It’s not just because Pyatt spent 23 years in the military himself. Or that his brother, Clint Pyatt, who founded the company was in the Marine Corps for six years as well.

“We come from a military lineage. Our dad was in the army and was drafted to Vietnam,” Donnie Pyatt said. “Both his brothers got drafted. My son is 18 and about to leave for the Marines Corps boot camp after he graduates high school.”

So, when Pyatt says Country Cannabis is ‘veteran-owned and also trying to help veterans out,’ it’s not just some words stuck on a company bumper sticker. It’s something they mean.

In the four years Country Cannabis has been in existence, they have strived to give to the military community. That includes providing a discount for military (retired or active) personnel.

Pyatt knows the physical, emotional and mental toils of being in the military and knows cannabis is an option that many veterans are starting to explore more and more.

“Every veteran deals with their demons the best that they can. All veterans will have demons. There is no doubt about that. For good or worse, if you become a veteran and get out of the service, you are a changed person,” Pyatt said. “How you deal with that is completely independent upon each veteran. I can’t say that a veteran is handling it wrong or handling it right because I had to deal with my own.

If medical marijuana, or even if it goes recreational, if they have PTSD and they have demons, or they have things they can not forget, and if medical or recreational marijuana helps them, then more power to them.”

As a former member of the Tulsa Police Department, Pyatt has seen firsthand the alternative of not getting the help that is needed to battle those demons. That is a road that can lead to addiction to drugs that can destroy lives.

“I have seen so many lives shredded and

torn apart by hard narcotics, oxycontin, prescription meds, Heroin is a huge one,” Pyatt said. “Those are nasty drugs to get addicted to. That’s why a lot of people are on heroin. People I have made arrests on and talked to, I would ask them why they are messing with heroin, it’s horrible.

They are like, “well, I got hooked on OxyContin and I can’t get any more Oxycontin. It was just easier to buy Heroin on the streets.’ It’s a nasty drug to get addicted to.”

Part of stopping the surge toward opioids and other drugs means helping change the perception of marijuana in the medical field.

“The TPD, we have had our times when we have been in the news for stuff, but it is a huge family,” Pyatt said. “You make so many good relationships and they are just like your family members. It was a tough decision because it was like leaving one family to go work with my blood family.”

In that time Pyatt has had a crash course on the industry. He is having to learn the ins and out of not just the company, but also a growing industry that is still trying to figure out which way it’s heading.

“Cannabis is not seen very well in the medical field as helping. There are still a lot of people who say it doesn’t help,” Pyatt said. “That is just not the case. We have patients who come up and they will tell us straight out they had a problem until they got their card and took our product. ‘I had nothing else to turn to. Now I do.’ It’s kind of like the giving back is being able to do something that is not a hard drug. I know from personal experience, from my wife’s family members, who could have had a better quality of life before he passed if was able to have medical marijuana.”

“Wading through all the rules and compliance. Not just Oklahoma. We also have processors in Colorado, we’re getting into California, South Dakota, Florida is coming up, New York. Just reading all the rules and regulations for each state is definitely a challenge. It is exactly what I thought it would be. I knew I would be dealing with people who have been in the game for a while. I am new to it. I knew it would be very challenging to try and catch up and I’m not even close to catching up to everyone else’s knowledge in other companies or just my brother.”

Yet, the challenge of learning the industry is just one of the elements that excites Pyatt about his new position.

The Country Cannabis motto of giving back extends beyond the military as well.

The very first Country Cannabis dispensary in Oklahoma was opened up in Wilburton, which is in the Southeast corner of the state. Built on the backs of the coal and gas industry, it now has a population of under 2,500 people and is declining.

“What’s really exciting about coming to work for my brother at Country Cannabis is him opening up in other states. He puts the business in other states,” Pyatt said.

“It’s just to see the company grow. That is what’s exciting. Like Kansas. It’s not legal there yet, but if I was a betting man, I would say it will be by next year.”

It doesn’t seem like a prime spot to introduce a business. But that is not the way XX Pyatt saw it.

But no matter where a Country Cannabis store is located now and opens up in the future, Pyatt said they will still have the same foundation they started with.

“My brother, when he came into Oklahoma, he started in Wilburton Oklahoma.

My grandparents are from there, my parents still live in that area. Our bloodlines run deep in that county,” Donnie Pyatt said. “That is not an area that is usually hit with a lot of industry. He could have picked Tulsa right away. But his thinking was, if we go in there and do this, maybe we can help out the area and give some jobs to people. Maybe I can kick start the growth of Wilburton again and make it to where it’s not a dwindling little ghost town like so many other small towns in Oklahoma seem to be doing.”

Pyatt has only been with Country Cannabis for four months. He previously had been a member of the Tulsa Police Department for close to seven years until his brother was able to convince him to take a job with the company.

It was not an easy decision for Pyatt to leave the police department for a career in an industry he knew almost nothing about.

“We’re not a bunch of people who just got together and said, ‘Oh, we’re going to make this company in Oklahoma and we’re just a bunch of outsiders and we’re just trying to do it to make money.’ I would like for people to know that Country Cannabis, born and raised, native Oklahomans, and we’re not out to just sell a product to get rich or to make money off of it,” Pyatt said. “That’s not the goal. The goal is to provide a product that people can take for medical issues. And that it’s just good people trying to do good things with it.”

Thank You All for helping honor the men and women who protect our freedom.

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bougiehealth.com 13.05.2022 21:17:59

FREEDOM FLOWER

BY CHET TUCKER t what point did we wake up to realize that we've been indoctrinated into a system that curbs our natural instincts of being at one with ourselves and our provider, earth? Who decided that a truancy officer could enforce a dictated governmental (govern mental states) school systems that box our thinking and funnel our energy to learn so many irrelevant idealisms? When did we give up our individual and parental rights in exchange for what some foreign entity deems right for our minds? What form of being freely born unto a planet formed without ownership have we misinterpreted? Why does some collective bureaucracy dictate what we can and can't do with our bodies, land, and property? Really think beyond a "that's just the way it is" and realize that's how programmed we are to accept the current state.

A

We've clawed back civil liberties and still haven't won all the battles for self autonomy ... but we're getting there and just have to continue standing and speaking up. No single other person should control our individual rights. Not a single other person. If we are doing harm to another human then that's where the line is drawn. However, to trust a collective of suits and ties to make decisions about our right to cultivate plant medicines, amongst other self liberties that I'll not address here, is giving up our own rights. At what point were we convinced to keep pretty green lawns in exchange for spraying down some amazing and healing "flowers/ weeds" (cannabis aside) like dandelions. At what point did we wake up to realize the propaganda to spray DDT and other chemicals in the interest of our health?

So, what do we do to press forward a powerful republic of Oklahoma and put our rights above the "rulers" that say cannabis, again trying to keep it down this narrowed scope but it relates to so many other liberties, must be managed so tightly and that we allow a government

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to spend these tax dollars in ways that aren't fully accounted for ... only to spread their tentacles of control as if they're doing us a favor? Whether you see it as medicinal or a basic right to a plant, it's our right to consume as we may and without so much governmental overreach. The additional costs for tracking businesses and the rising taxes that stack up on the back end only comes out to cost the consumer/patient more. And for what benefit? The consumer then is faced with paying more for a plant than possibly their government assisted pharmaceuticals that are proving more and more to be less helpful than plant based medicinals. In addition, it creates a marketplace that's considered as the illegal black market. Ironically, it's more of a free market trade without all of the strings and costs attached.

I've passionately shared before that there is a need for regulating testing and dosage because we know that it's important for consumers (patients) to know what they are taking. However, the tax monies earned by the state should be leveraged for honing in these test results with developing more useful and educational ways for the marketplace to thrive. THC, cannabinoids, terpenes, and how they interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) could only further illustrate the power of the plant, especially when the variety of characteristics are understood and illustrated for a better result for all. It's not just indica, sativa, or hybrid; it's how does this particular flower or processed flower product assist me personally?

I hope that words are read and digested to continue helping not only Oklahoma but other communities of people to demand transparency and more individual rights. A right to cultivate is a born right and we certainly don't live in a "free" country if we are taxed to death (and sadly after too) and dictated as to what we can or can't do with our bodies, lands, and property. The key is in our hand, not the other way around. Hanta Yo!

13.05.2022 21:17:59

Could Raw Cannabis Be The New Superfood?

WRITTEN BY DR. PEPPER HERNANDEZ ND, PH.D., CTC AWARD-WINNING, BOARD CERTIFIED HOLISTIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

S

o did you know that cannabis is a superfood? I have been well aware of that starting over a decade ago when I started juicing leaves for health and wellness benefits. Cannabis is an incredibly unique plant that contains over 400 different chemical compounds. The number of vitamins, essential oils, and acids found in cannabis has leading experts calling cannabis a “dietary essential.”

Cannabis is a particularly special plant in the world of nutrition because the herb contains extremely high concentrations of cannabinoid acids. Turns out, these acids are incredibly important for a human basic cell function.

Among the main cannabinoid acids so far studied are THCa and CBDa. In the process of smoking, vaping, or cooking cannabis, these acids are broken down into slightly different chemicals. Specifically, some convert them to psychoactive THC and cannabinoid CBD via metabolism. Activated THC and CBD offer their own benefits, but the one downside is that your body can only handle a limited amount of these newly activated cannabinoids. Decarbing is the process of converting these cannabinoid acids into their active form.

Raw cannabis is capable of processing extremely large amounts of THCa and CBDa without any issue. The body then converts these acids into the nutrients it requires through its own metabolism.

The endocannabinoid system helps your cells communicate with each other when you consume these cannabinoids. By consuming more can-

HerbAge_magazin_2022.indd 24

nabinoid acids, chronic diseases caused by deficiencies in endocannabinoids may be prevented.

Endocannabinoid deficiencies are thought to play a major role in the development of medical conditions like: ● Anti-inflammatory properties ● Anti-diabetic properties ● Anti-ischemic properties If you are going to start consuming leaves, grow your own, grow organic always, and learn how to choose the correct cultivar for your health and wellness needs. Start by adding leaves to your juices and smoothies. To keep the raw acids intact do not cook or heat the leaves. Eat them raw. #craftcannabis The information in this article is provided solely for educational purposes. Research gathered from external sources has been used as a basis for the content.

Before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change, check with your Cannabis Educated Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant.

Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, CTC, CNHP is a Naturopathic Nutritionist, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, Founder and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute. To find out more about her private practice, educational programs, videos, and other offerings you can find her on the massive inter-webs, social platforms, or at drpepperhernandez.com.

Go forth, Go Cannabis...

13.05.2022 21:18:00

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13.05.2022 21:18:01

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13.05.2022 21:18:02

ANDREW LOPEZ

BY MICHAEL KINNEY

B

y all accounts, Andrew Lopez seems to be living the ideal life. The retired Army Staff Sgt., who spent 22 years in the military, is married with five kids and three grandchildren.

Almost nothing brings a smile to his face more than when talking about his family, except maybe his passion for lowrider cars. Especially the 1963 Impala that he has been working on for the past few years.

However, it took Lopez years of pain before he could get to the point where he could appreciate what he has. From the murder of his younger brother to having a fellow soldier die in his hands, the 47-year-old Los Angeles native has been to hell and back.

Lopez credits the discovery of medical cannabis for him being able to make his way out of the dark path he was on and into the light.

“I have been happy. Wonderful. I consider life lovely now,” said Lopez, who lives in Lawton. “I owe everything to Mr. Green. This is a miracle drug. Without, I don’t think I would be here to tell you the truth.”

Many of the issues Lopez has had to overcome began back in 2004 during his first tour of duty in Iraq. While on patrol was hit downrange with an IED (Improvised explosive device).

“It basically hurt my entire right side,” Lopez said.

“I got severe nerve damage on the right side of my body. But it also messed up my back.”

Lopez was medevaced out of Iraq and taken to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany where he underwent surgery. According to Lopez, after just three months of physical therapy and recovery, the Army sent him back to Iraq.

“I was hurt, but regardless of my injuries they still felt that I was fit to go back downrange with my back and neck injury. I was doing the same mission,” Lopez said. “I was still busted up. I wasn’t ready to go back and do much. But in the Army, they really don’t care. It's to get the mission done first, then we’ll worry about you.”

Despite how his body felt, Lopez was sent back to Iraq to complete the final six months of his 18 month tour.

For the next few years, Lopez said he kept complaining to his superiors and doctors about his constant back pains. Their solution was to give him more pain pills and muscle relaxers.

“That was my life,” Lopez said. Pain pills and muscle relaxers and physical therapy. It was horrible because it messed my body up so much. I felt like I was always bloated. It was messing with my digestive system.”

According to Lopez, the only remedy the doctors had for him was to lower his dosages. But the pain and physical ailments continued.

In 2010 one of Lopez’s physical therapists was looking at his X-ray and noticed a mass that didn’t look right. She told him he might want to get it checked out and suggested that he might have a tumor. This was the first time anyone had mentioned it to him.

“She said this has been here for a while,” Lopez said. “She was looking at my X-rays back from 2008. I was happy that she actually spotted it.

Because how many of my doctors in the military have seen this and haven’t said anything and just let it go by? All these years I keep thinking they could have found it so long ago. When you are in the military, you really can’t do anything. You can’t do anything because you are their property.

That’s what gets me so mad.”

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Lopez went and had an MRI done. When the test was completed, Lopez’s doctor had one question for him.

“He asked ‘how are you walking,” Lopez said. “I said excuse me. I walked in here with my cane.

The doctor said no, ‘how are you walking? There is a tumor blocking all your nerves to your lower extremities. You shouldn’t be able to walk.”

Lopez said they scheduled him for an operation the very next week. But that week turned into years due to a difference of opinions between several physicians.

According to Lopez, the cancer specialist said he thought it was just a fatty mass and wanted to just keep an eye on it.

The cancer center in Lawton suggested radiation as a treatment. However, the doctors at the cancer center in Oklahoma City told them not to do radiation because it’s too dangerous and too close to his nerves.

“There was too much running through my head,” Lopez said. “I got doctors from over there, over there, these guys, those guys. I’m like you guys are killing me. What do I do?”

Lopez did his research and decided against the radiation treatment. He felt compelled to follow the advice of his primary cancer doctor who said it was just a fatty mass and just wanted to keep an eye on it.

However, in 2016, the mass had gotten so huge it was blocking his nerves. So, a decision was made to have surgery and remove it.

“They didn’t know it was cancerous until it got too big,” Lopez said. “All they could do was scrape out the tumor. It was too late to cut it out. From them scraping it out, they damaged even more of my nerves. I couldn’t feel my legs when I woke up.

I was just devasted. I thought I was paralyzed.”

Even though the cancer had been removed, that didn’t mean an end to the medication Lopez was on. He had to continue taking a variety of different pills such as Oxycodone and OxyContin.

“It was enough to knock out a horse and they wanted me to take it every four hours,” Lopez said. “You basically could call me a zombie. I couldn’t live like that.”

In January of 2021, Lopez was at his breaking point. The years of constant pain and the medication had pushed the veteran to the brink until he did the unthinkable.

“It just got too much for me. I was just (at home) laying in bed and I couldn’t do nothing,” Lopez said. “The pain got too much for me. It got way too much for me. I ended up trying to kill myself. I said I’m done with this.”

Lopez didn’t go into detail on exactly how he tried to take his life, but he didn’t succeed and ended up being sent to a hospital in Texas, which he said made him even worse.

Lopez soon came back home and was still in the same situation he was before the attempted suicide. With nothing else to lose he decided to take his health and well-being into his own hands.

“It ended up just being me having to see reality on

my own,” Lopez said. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just like I have seen the world through my other eyes. I think I had suffered just about everything. I’ve been through so much. My wife said I was like a cat, but with only two lives left.”

Lopez had heard medical cannabis was an option to help ease the pain. So he asked his pain management doctor if he would help him apply for his medical cannabis card. However, because the federal government still sees marijuana as an illegal drug, that goes the same for military installations. So, his doctor could only tell him no and that he doesn’t support cannabis.

Lopez didn’t let that stop him and found a more understanding physician who was not associated with the military, and he was able to get his card early in 2021. He said he didn’t care if the Army allowed it or not, he was tired of being helpless.

Lopez has been under the surgical knife 16 different times during his 22 years in the military. But he said medical cannabis is the only thing that has eased his pain.

“When I first tried, I felt the pain relief,” Lopez said. “‘I don’t need a wheelchair, I don’t need a cane. I walk fine. I am really glad I got rid of all the pills. Those man-made pills. They weren’t helping me at all. All they were ding to me is clogging up my stomach.”

Anthony Rodriguez, who runs the dispensary Nice Dreamz Collective in Lawton, has seen what a vast transformation Lopez has taken.

While Lopez is grateful he found cannabis when he did, he still feels anger that it has taken as long as it has for it to become available. When he looks back at his mother who had to deal with seizures her entire life, tears begin to stream down his face.

“This should have been legal a long time ago. My mom could have used this years ago,” Lopez said.

“She is epileptic. My mom could have used this when she was young. You look at my mom now and her hands are all burned because she had a seizure when she was cooking and her hands fell in the oil. Now her hands are just all torn up. Her face is jacked up because she had a fall during another seizure. But this was illegal. She has suffered through so much when they could have just made something with this and” they could have given it to her. It is just so upsetting.”

Lopez now looks at his life and how he was living before cannabis and he can hardly believe how much he has changed. He says if he hadn’t found it in time, he knows he would have tried to take his life again and would have succeeded.

But that does not seem to be a worry anymore.

“It mellows me out. I see how it connects me more with my family. I really have a short fuse, but ever since I have been on cannabis, it has brought me a lot closer with my family,” Lopez said. “My kids see it a lot. I have been able to communicate a lot better with my kids than I used to. I am able to communicate better with my wife. Our relationship has gotten a lot stronger. It’s made me a better man. I wasn’t like this before. Ever since last year, when I tried to take my life, it has transformed me into a better man.”

13.05.2022 21:18:03

Where Does It End With Heartland Farms

BY JAMES BRIDGES

I

f I were to get involved in a sporty game of “who would you rather” and the topic was: Who would you rather ride for two hours in a car with? I know my answer.

casual pleasantries. I was waiting for a break in the nearly silent noise that was surrounding us as we made it down a hall with tiled floors. Thankfully I heard a voice.

The rules are simple. No tunes and the conversation will be packed full of amazing attempts at philosophical exchange between two very unqualified thought provokers. I would definitely choose to travel with my friend and photographer Justen Christensen.

However, little did I know… my ride along partner was, by chance, somewhat of a fanboy of the powerful Oklahoma original, and dominating nationwide company, Heartland Cannabis.

“Who’s the deadhead?” My trusty photographer saves the moment with his never ending eclectic knowledge of things most consider quite intellectual and intriguing.

30 years ago Pat Dickey and Chris Elias made a pact. The pact was silent, but still they knew. They would be friends for life. Still to this day…they can look at one another in the eyes and trust in the sanctity of that relationship.

Both can be extremely proud of a powerhouse company making waves in the cannabis industry.

As Justen and I approached the doors to one of the two facilities run by the operation, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Gelato. “Gelato 33 or something.

You would not believe it. I love it man” Justen’s words were looping inside of my head. I just wanted to taste it.

We were both greeted at the door by Pat and Chris and some visitors from out of state. We instantly connected as they were visiting from an area that was literally blocks from where I had once lived. I collected a definite sense of a wholesome family and friends oriented company. There was this warmth about it. Like walking inside on a cold day into a warm room. Yet, it was hot outside that day. Still, I felt it.

They asked us to follow them down the hall as we opened the discussion with

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“Been at every show for the past 5 years bro,” both Pat and Chris were smiling as if we had turned a page. Discussions of past encounters with the musings of greats such as Dead & Company along with many others were being reminisced from the newly found friends of the same tune. We walked further down the long hall toward more doorways.

Pat smiled as he looked back at me.

He had to have noticed the look on my face as I understood the enormity of the warehouse. I’m wondering how many of our readers have been inside of a 19,000 sqft warehouse. What I am more curious about is how many of our readers have, “legally”, been inside of a warehouse that large with 6,720 sqft of actual flower canopy. It makes for a nice afternoon.

We were fortunate enough to see the moms during the 18 hours of lights on before the 6 of sleep while doing their best not to allow the forces of nature to blossom their flowers of healing.

24 total strains are currently selected through a process that is often overlooked and uncalculated by many cultivators and business owners alike. Pat presented it to me as something very serious. You go into the situation knowing that 3 out of 5 usually won’t hit.

Chris talked about the hand trimming and presentation of the flower. The importance of every step as a whole. He

noted that his trim managers go through and make sure there are no seeds or stems throughout the product. “Pure nug,” Chris said with a cheshire cat grin. I couldn’t help but make the correlation as he held out a cleverly crafted Heartland Farms branded burlap/plastic bag. I took a whiff.

“We already had the Gelato 33 from Denver and one from LA,” Pat was talking about whatever was inside of the package he was carrying. However, my focus drifted away from his words about the package as I noticed the unique structure, color, and overwhelming brilliant aroma coming from it.

Even in this crowded room full of flowers I was captured by the most valuable player in the room that they called, Gelato 2. It was definitely unique enough to be on its own.

“Right now the traditional lime green strains like OG’s, etc… are not moving as quickly as the dark colors, and more developed strains. We kind of focus on what is different and unique, but also a little tried and true because they move a lot better.” Pat’s business mind revealed a great strategy.

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It was at that moment I understood the duo’s roles. Pat was a great sales person for the company. He was extremely intelligent and a natural. He came across as someone that could possibly score very high on an IQ test as well as roll the fattest joint you ever wanted, then smoke a while for some good company.

Chris was a developer type and a cultivator. He seemed to me as the Wyatt Earp to his Doc Holliday. I sensed a foundation of sorts that they could both grab ahold of if ever any one of them felt alone in this business and in life.

There was camaraderie and brotherhood which must have supported them to work with such a strong passion to keep moving forward. Not alone, but together.

the room. He thought of it as the “magic room”. He wanted to know if that was where his uncle kept all of his magic to grow everything. We all had a laugh.

Taylor said he knew there wasn’t magic. The room is a product storage room now. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with him. After he left the room Chris nearly teared up. It was a character trait I hope Chris never loses touch with.

“We finally have our license, you know?

There's no more gray area.” Chris’s passion peaked a bit. “We have legitimate bank accounts. We pay all of our taxes.

It's very hard whenever you're running into thousands of dollars in cash and attempting to track everything. It's been a long journey. In many ways it's been surreal.”

We moved on through the tour of this enormous facility. I noticed the fluidity and the careful planning that must have taken place during the layout stages of the property.

are easier to get good feedback when someone is talking to an employee rather than an owner.”

Chris was very proud to show what they have been working with a crew of people that are “extremely talented.” He introduced us to fellow employees along the way, as if they were family members. Some even were!

Taylor Elias is the nephew of Chris Elias. He doesn’t necessarily love being introduced in that way. However, it's not for the loss of love for his proud uncle.

Taylor runs the drying, trimming, and maintenance. The hardest part of the warehouse is the maintenance according to both Taylor and Chris. Some may disagree, however they were essentially holding the mic at the time. So… Taylor seemed to know his job well.

I was able to ask him about key performance indicators and he instantly schooled me in a course of curing I would have gladly paid tuition for. He loves working with the best team. He says it's really not a matter of pay. He loves that they all wake up and work together to have the best day possible.

Chris glanced over with that cheshire cat grin again. “Tell him about the magic room.”

Taylor told a story about when he first started working in cannabis. He would walk by a specific room inside of the warehouse. He never went inside. He would always ask his uncle what was in

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While listening to Chris answer my question of whether he missed the “grind”, I received a glimpse of what a natural entrepreneur looked and sounded like. He explained how he loved the blossoming of a business. He loves to plant a seed, get everything ready to be on a growth pattern of perpetuity, and watch the benefits that it has for all of those that touch it. It is rather poetic in my point of view.

“Sometimes I am so excited.” Pat seemed a little reluctant. “I’m so eager to tell people that I'm one of the owners of Heartland Farms, you know? I want to. However, often, I just say that I work here. It provides me, you know, with more real information. Honest opinions

I sensed a moment of retrospect within Pat. “Our first grow was over by the Drillers stadium in Tulsa. We had two, 600 watt, HPS lights in the garage. This is like 18 or 19 years ago. We were so freaking excited about our first quarter pound of weed. Every year it just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger you know?” Pat seemed to be reaching the point of awareness only privileged business owners achieve. “We went to Durango, Colorado and started doing a lot of outdoor cultivation. Our first green houses were very small, the second one was a lot bigger, and then the third one was huge. After that we went out to California to start commercial indoor growing . It's funny to watch the evolution of this beast we developed and it's been pretty sweet man.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if the two were where they wanted to be. Where was the finish line? Did it exist? Pat told me quite frankly, “We're just going to keep producing exceptional medical cannabis to the best of our abilities.

I don't think we will be stepping back anytime soon. I'm still young. We both have a lot of years left to kick some ass.

So I will see you in about 30-40 years.

Then we’ll let you know.”

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We Gotta Take the Power Back, THE KILLER WHALE ON THE FRONTLINES WITH STATE QUESTIONS 818 AND 819

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BY JESSI LANE, PATIENT ADVOCATE

re you ready for the rec, retroactivity, abolishment, and rebirth that is about to be the Oklahoma Cannabis Medical and Right To Use Acts?

If ever we needed a call to arms, this is it. Zack De La Rocha said it best, “We need a movement with a quickness. You are the witness of change. And to counteract- we gotta take the power back!”

State Questions 818 and 819 have the industry a buzz.

Oklahomans are tired of this “shot-gun approach to chop up our medical program” says Brandon Rust, and they are moving to take the power back. State Question 818, also known as the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Act, protects the Oklahoma medical program and “makes it part of the state constitution, not a health code as it is now,” Rust says. This progressive grassroots stride for change and reclamation of power for and to the people can be attributed to the tireless efforts of the Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action or ORCA. Founded by Jed Green, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action is a 501(c)4 not for profit incorporation. According to their website, ORCA’s “task is to establish the organization and structure with the intent of stepping back into ancillary support roles as the organization grows and a long-term structure developed based on interest and support from the cannabis community and industry.”

But SQ818 isn’t just about cementing in the rights and privileges of licensed cannabis as medicine patients. Oh no. Leaving no stone unturned, ORCA developed a hefty fourteen sections that make up 818, with the goal of permanently establishing an unbreakable constitutional amendment and medical program Oklahomans deserve. Beginning with the disbanding and break down

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of the OMMA and the creation of a new state agency called the Oklahoma State Cannabis Coalition (OSCC).

OSCC would be comprised of a twenty-member board including a representative from the Oklahoma Department of Health, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Fire Marshall, and the office of the Attorney General. They would share this panel with licensee representatives for subgroups like Growers and Dispensaries, Patients and Caregivers, and many more. The coalition would be led by a Governor-appointed Commissioner who, additionally, must be approved by two thirds majority of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

OSCC would assume authority over cannabis and hemp, plant-based medicines, and the products and services therein. 818 would also hold OMMA accountable for potential misspending of funds that may be found via an audit and require the funds paid in a structured, timely manner to an established OSCC General Fund- also named and included in the sections therein.

All funds collected and spent by the OMMA, OSDH, and the Oklahoma State Tax Commission from June 26, 2018 to the date of passage would have to undergo an audit, report, and accounting of, and be publicly provided by, the State Auditor within a specified timely manner. Any funds found by the Auditor to not have been spent in a lawful manner would be returned to the OSCC General Fund by the agency which expended the funds. However, if said agency is unable to transfer within 30 days, the transfer would come from the Oklahoma General Fund.

Speaking to Oklahoma cannabis business owners Rust says, “If you want to get rid of METRC this is the only way. The contract is with OMMA.” If Oklahoma votes to disband

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the OMMA through State Question 818, the contracts made with said agency would also cease to exist. The goal is to keep Oklahoma cannabis money in Oklahoma not Lakewood, Florida, the location of METRC’s headquarters. Under SQ818, OSCC would be tasked with the creation of a new tracking system that is “no more restrictive or burdensome than federal guidelines for hemp harvest batches”, according to ORCA. Currently Oklahoma cannabis business owners are excluded from state tax write offs. 818 would allow for state tax deductions and exemptions for licensed cannabis businesses. It also provides and regulates tax credits for hemp businesses and separates hemp from cannabis excise taxation. According to ok.gov, over three million dollars in state taxes has been generated by medical cannabis sales. In the taxation section of SQ818, 7% excise tax would be collected on cannabis sales at the point of sale. Should we go rec, this percentage may increase up to 15% on nonmedical purchases. A portion of the excise tax would go into a Research Fund, another portion into a Rural Impact and Urban Waste Remediation Program Fund, and another to the Dept of Ag to provide mitigation support efforts and insurance related to crop damage caused to our agricultural nonindustry neighbors by accidental overspray. There are portions of the collected taxes allotted for emergency mental health response programs, to fund addiction recovery programs, and to support mental health crisis training for law enforcement.

SQ818 outlines patient and caregiver rights including parental rights, offering protection from state agencies like DHS. It protects those patients seeking housing, healthcare, employment, or public assistance and those wanting to own firearms from denial due to licensing. It defines the limitations and annual fees of commercial, patient, and caregiver licensing. For example, the newly drafted Marijuana Handling License requires dispensary employees to undergo a minimum of two hours of cannabis related education every two years. Just knowing what’s fire won’t be enough product knowledge for a budtender under 818. An education license would provide license holders with the opportunity to apply for grants to develop cannabis materials and curriculum.

Due Process and Equal Protection Rights would protect persons under state supervision from penalization based on cannabis consumption as it is outlined in SQ818. Furthermore, cannabis can not be used as reasonable cause for search, seizure, or arrest nor can the cannabis itself be seized. 818 also states that the existence of THC alone in one’s system does not assume a position of impairment while operating a motor vehicle.

SQ 819, the Oklahoma Marijuana Regulation and Right to Use Act sets out to legalize cannabis for anyone 21 years of age or older and structures the regulation therein. It allows for existing medical dispensaries to also function as recreational dispensaries without any additional licensing. Like SQ818, there is consumer General Protection Language specific to housing, healthcare, employment, etcetera. Parental rights and firearm ownership rights would be protected for 21 and up recreational consumers as well. Due Process and

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Equal Protection Rights are covered in 819. Most notably, the Retroactivity section of 819 states that those with cannabis related convictions may file a petition for resentencing, modification, reversal, or dismissal of their sentence.

Under 819, tax rates are built to reduce over time for medical cannabis patients. The excise tax is also divvied up in 819. Portions would go to DHS for the benefit of persons with developmental and physical disabilities, the OK Water Resources Board, to agencies with the end goal of increasing access to evidence-based low-barrier drug addiction treatment as well as job support, housing, and counseling for people living with substance use disorders. A portion would fund mental health and addiction services grants and law enforcement mental health crisis training, like 818. The Research Fund, Rural Impact and Urban Waste Remediation Program Fund, and the Dept of Ag are all allotted a percentage of this excise tax.

Brandon reminds us that all these rights and privileges could be provided to us in the following months if we collectively sign the petition -95,000 signatures will be required within 90 days- and vote Yes on the November ballot. If you’d like to get involved with ORCA to best ensure positive Oklahoma cannabis industry change for the people, fill out their volunteer form at https:// orcaok.com/volunteer-sign-up/

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THE CHRONISSEUR

WRITTEN BY PAMELA JAYNE REVIEW BY HOPPER PHOTO BY RON EBERHART nd we’re back! I want to start by giving a huge shout out to everyone I saw and smoked with on 4/20 at The Brickhouse block party. It was a perfect day, with nothing but good vibes and great, likeminded people at a chill event celebrating this beautiful plant that has brought us all together. I can’t wait to be back at The Brickhouse on June 2nd for the Underground Alliance Tour presented by RX3 and Herbage Magazine, featuring King Klick, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, and Stacc Styles. This show is gonna be sick and the smoke will for sure be thick, so you do not want to miss it. Now let’s load up this DGAF bong gifted to me by the homie Chucky Chuck and get started…

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COOKIE MAC BY ESSENTIAL FLOWERS Visually, it’s an impressively chunky, resinous, good sized nug. It’s incredibly dense and heavy, and has solid structure. The color is a paler shade of green due to the large amount of resinous trichromes, and it has extra-long orange pistils weaved throughout the knotty, swollen calyxes. It’s a looker, for sure, and it also smells amazing. I can’t wait to get this in my lungs and see what it has to offer. So it has

a pretty heavy, substantial hit and cough that produces an instant head change. Do a big hit or two and you’ll be immediately relaxed, and able to forget about the stresses and frustrations of the day and get some clarity and motivation. The last time I smoked this, I went to pick up Ron at the airport. I rolled a fatty and we had a nice, productive ride back to my place while we took some phone calls and had a little RX3 mobile meeting sesh. I’d say this is a great strain for the working stoner. Even though Cookie Mac is a strain that tends to be more cerebral, it does also have some physical benefits. Shoulders relax and tension melts away, and you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of medicating, and still get shit done. Don’t get me wrong, you’re gonna have a chill, stony time with the Cookie Mac. It’s great for helping you laugh and see things in a positive light. You’re just not gonna get glued to the couch wondering why you can hear your hair growing. I think this is a great strain for both newer and more experienced patients, just adjust your dose accordingly.

COLLISION KUSH BY ESSENTIAL FLOWERS Up next is the Collision Kush (Triangle Kush x Kush Mints), also from Essential Flowers in Shawnee. I could wrap this one up right now in just three words- Damn near perfection. I mean, it’s just an absolutely stunning bud. Hats off to the grower. You can see the love and knowledge that was put into growing this. The super swole bud has phenomenal structure with very tight calyx formations. I can’t believe it’s even more dense than the Cookie Mac! The coloring is art. It has so many different shades of green ranging from emerald to olive to lime, and there are a few dark purple leaves in there too. It’s draped with these thick, burnt orange pistils and coated in trichromes that give it a really pretty sheen. And wow, it smells soooo good. The terps are LOUD LOUD LOUD. I get major notes of limonene with undertones of that traditional skunky/poopy kush aroma. The first hit expands the lungs just the way I like, and the second hit really opens you up. This is another strain I’d recommend for basically anyone. It gives you that classic, on the couch type of relaxation, so if that’s what you’re looking for, get the snacks ready and enjoy the munchies, and have a laid back night. You’re going to be introspective and talkative, in a positive way. It also opens up the mind and encourages creativity and long conversations. It really is more of that stereotypical high, which I personally love.

I really can’t say enough good things about the Collision Kush. You’ve really got to get down to Essential Flowers and try it. I’m actually gonna head there myself soon to see what else they have to offer, because judging by these two selections, their shelf is pure fire.

That’s it for this month, check back in June to see what Oklahoma is gonna be smokin’ on this summer, and follow me on Instagram @hopper448 and let me know what you’re putting in your lungs. Peace!

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