Sarah Lee
Gossett Parrish Excellence. Efficiency. Integrity.
405/815-3434 slgparrish@slgparrishlaw.com www.sarahleegossettparrish.com
lawyer cannabis | litigation | oil & gas
Issue No 13 Of Oklahoma’s Cannabis Lifestyle/News Magazine
contents
Cover Art David “Cal” Lawrence James Bridges CEO/Publisher james@herbagemag.com Marise Boehs Design/Creative Scroll3 Media Sales/Marketing james@scroll3.com Contributors Kayla Johnson Brittney Graham Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish Chip Paul Kathy Goff Advertising 405-487-9728 james@scroll3.com
FEATURES 9 14 19
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What’s pH got to do with it? Ask Grow Mama
new monthly feature
Thanksgiving Counting down the days to the Cowboy Cup David “Cal” Lawrence and the art of cannabis
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Women in the industry
Strainology Half Baked News Cooking with grass Chip Paul Pick of the month Getting to know cannabinoids Patient of the month Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish
Amanda Bertone
Women in the industry by Kayla Johnson
Since medical cannabis legalization passed here in Oklahoma, change has come in a big way to the Sooner State. As people begin to see the positive impacts that cannabis is having on the health and lives of their friends and loved ones, the ripple effect continues to spread, and more people are trying cannabis for themselves. Those who were once adamantly against the use of cannabis, whether recreational or medical, are now some of the staunchest supporters of the industry and cannabis patients. Amanda Bertone, one of the owners of Peace Out Processing in Edmond, is one of those opponents-turned-supporters. Born in Connecticut and raised in Arizona, she moved to Oklahoma in 1994 when she started high school, and says that she was against cannabis when she was young. “My brother was into drugs growing up, obviously a lot more stuff than just cannabis, but he spent time in jail, both here and in Arizona, and I saw how it just tore my parents apart.” Like many of us, Bertone grew up in the era with a heavy, dark stigma lingering around drug use, and that included cannabis. “I remember my brother used to tell me all the time, ‘don’t be like me’, and that really stuck with me.” It wasn’t until just a few years ago that Bertone began to change her perspective, when she “began to research CBD, and cannabinoids. “I had been through my third major shoulder surgery, and I was also going through a divorce at that time. After trying it, I was using CBD for my pain, rather than painpills, during the recovery from that surgery.” She says that after that, she began using CBD when she worked out. “I tied it in for my personal workouts, but I also began using it at the gym I owned, for clients and athletes for recovery. I saw the need, and CBD showed me the true medicinal side of cannabis, and how it could help so many.” Bertone says that CBD is the doorway that led her to the medical cannabis industry. “I started my career in the industry with just CBD distribution. Now I’m one
of the owners of Peace Out Processing, we opened our lab about eight months ago, and we’ve just launched our first products.” What continued to push her into the industry, however, was the way cannabis continued to change her life as a patient. “I have Crohn’s and IBS, and I’m 100% pharmaceutical free, thanks to CBD and cannabis. Seeing how it helped me, and how it helps other patients, how it touches their life, that really inspired me.” As if her own medical relief and benefits weren’t enough, Bertone says cannabis has impacted the life of her mother as well. “My mom has stage 4 lung cancer, she got her card, and only used infused chocolates and RSO along with a CBD regiment, and her tumor decreased in size tremendously.” For Bertone, like many in the industry, it’s not just about how it helps her loved ones, or even herself,” I’m a firm believer in helping with the body and the mind, and knowing that I’m providing some kind of help and relief to these patients, and being able to hear their stories, it makes me feel validated in what I’m doing, and talking to the patients is by far my favorite 4
part of my job.” Being able to help families create more memories, she says, is a priceless feeling, especially when the patient was starting to give up on life. “I love knowing that the medicine I’m making helps give patients a little more time.” As passionate as she is for the industry, Bertone admits that it hasn’t always been the easiest road to travel, especially as a woman in cannabis. “I feel at times that people don’t take me seriously because I am a woman, but at the same time, once I prove myself, I think it helps.” The disadvantages facing women in the cannabis industry, she says, are more common than we’d like to think. “I believe that being a woman in any industry has its disadvantages. I saw it in the fitness industry before I entered the cannabis world.” Bertone credits her ability to hold her own with helping her succeed to this point. “I’m a person who is very outspoken and willing to stand my ground, and I think if you’re soft spoken, male or female, you’ll struggle anywhere in life.” For Bertone, another key component of the industry’s success relies on people learning about cannabis. “There is a lot of education that still needs to be done, and I think that industry standards need to be set. There are so many rules and regulations that change, and a lot is based on how you interpret it, so I think there need to be some solid standards created, because
there are a lot of questions, and not a lot of answers.” A big part of continuing to educate people about cannabis is being willing to speak about it and discuss it openly, something Bertone thinks women especially could help with. “I think it’s important for women to succeed in any industry, not just cannabis, but especially in this industry, it’s so important for women to stand up and speak out. We tend to see things differently than men, and we need to find our voice.” Bertone also commented on the importance of women supporting women,” I believe women need to network and work together. Lifting each other up is important, and can help us be at the forefront of this industry.” Like other patients and industry members, Bertone has seen herself grow within the industry, and encourages those who are considering getting involved, especially women, to do so,” Follow your heart. Put the stigma aside, and believe in what you’re doing, while educating yourself and networking with anyone you can.” Bertone’s drive to continue learning is one shared by other business owners, industry members and patients across the state, and is easily summed up in her own words:” It’s given me life. It’s given my mom life. The patients are why I get out of bed every day, why I research everyday, because I want to continue to help them in every way I can.”
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Strainology Aries: Love and money will have sparks flying for you in November Aries. Venus will be echoing a message of love when it enters fellow fire sign Sagittarius at the beginning of the month so be prepared for some heat. Keep up with all this energy by grabbing the Sativa Dominant Hybrid Space Queen. Taurus: November brings a full moon to your sign this month Taurus, are you ready to share your truth? Change is on the horizon and blessings are on the way, just be sure you stay true to yourself as you let go of the past. Stay grounded and relaxed by grabbing some of the Sativa dominant Hybrid Trainwreck. Gemini: Mercury, your ruling planet, is in retrograde this month dear Gemini, which means your schedule is going to be a little full. This is going to be a very productive season for you in the love and career sectors of your life. Stay relaxed but keep your cerebral energy at the end of your workday by picking up the Indica leaning Hybrid Sherbert. Cancer: This is a very sexy time of year for you Cancer, but you will want to be feeling yourself more than some one else. Which means you will want to focus on reconnecting with your body and your wellness routine. Adding rest to your self-care routine would be a lot easier if you pick up some of the Indica Purple Punch with its body and mind-numbing effects. Leo: Have you been having enough fun in your life Leo? November will have Venus in Sagittarius and having a good time at the top of your to do list. If there is a relationship in your life that lacks humor and fun, you will be more willing to let it go now. Stay the happy and upbeat life of the party by grabbing some the of the Sativa Laughing Buddha. Virgo: Fall season is hitting you hard Virgo. This month you will be focused on redecorating your home, spending time with family, and entertaining your friends for a cozy night in. Stay in a euphoric yet creative state during your holiday festivities by grabbing the Hybrid Golden Goat. Libra: Mercury Retrograde has your communications and finances a little topsy turvy this month dear Libra. However, you won’t be letting that get you down, which will pay off when a more productive energy flows through your sign around the 9th. Stay relaxed and carefree with the Hybrid Cheese Quake.
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Your November 2019 horoscope and what Cannabis strain will help you get through it! by Brittney Graham
Scorpio: Happy Birthday Scorpio, it is your season! You will be feeling a boost of creativity and vitality this month as the sun shines in your sign. Be prepared for some well-deserved financial blessings coming your way this retrograde. Stay dreamy and uplifted in your celebrations this month by grabbing the Sativa dominant Hybrid Cinderella 99. Sagittarius: With your season fast approaching and a new moon in your sign this month Sagittarius, you need to take some much-needed rest and relaxation time. Spend some time with yourself meditation, doing yoga, or even do some journaling. Take a deep rest with the Indica leaning dominant Key Lime Pie. Capricorn: This month marks a time for you to find the balance between your public and personal life Capricorn. November is going to prove to be a great time for you to get out and socialize with friends, however, be sure to keep up with your work responsibilities as well. Stay focused, alert, and happy but keep your body relaxed with the Indica leaning Hybrid ZkittleZ. Aquarius: Watch out for arguments at the beginning of this month Aquarius. With Mars in Libra there are a lot of people riding their high horse right now and some, including yourself, might not know too much about the topic at which the argument is over. Pick up the Sativa Super Silver Haze to stay uplifted and out of the arguments. Pisces: What message do you want to share with the world this month Pisces? Much deserved rewards and recognition are coming your way with blessings in your career. What will you say with your spotlight? Stay happy and uplifted during this time of celebration and reflection by grabbing the Hybrid Jillybean.
Half Baked News Cannabis News and Trending Topics by Brittney Graham
Acres of Hemp…nope.
The Kern County Sheriffs Office in Arvin, California have seized 10 million, yes you read that right MILLION marijuana plants in 11 hemp fields in a joint effort with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Apparently, they were tipped off that the hemp fields in the area were not actually hemp fields at all, it was 459 acres of cannabis plants. The estimated value of the plants is $1 billion
with a B. The sheriff ’s office wanted to be clear that preliminary testing showed the plants were well over the legal limit for industrial hemp production, which means they were ganja plants! Also, it is being reported that the plants have been destroyed but one has to wonder with all those plants on fire and with all this wind lately, wouldn’t we have gotten a little whiff of something?
Why Doesn’t the Federal Government? The Hill has recently reported that, “a survey of practicing physicians in New York State reported 71% of respondents believes that cannabis ought to be legal for medical purposes and 76% percent acknowledge having had patients who reported using marijuana for symptomatic relief at some point in their lives.” A more recent study in Minnesota of primary care physicians
shows that 58% of providers agree with the following statement, “Medical cannabis is a legitimate medical therapy.” The Oklahoma Cannabis community sure feels the same way about these statements as well. There is a lot of support throughout the states for the benefits of this amazing medicinal plant, but the question remains why doesn’t the federal government support this?
Cannabis is Helping Sell Luxury Homes Real estate agents in Hollywood hills are trading in open house wine and snacks for vapes and edibles. Wall Street Journal has reported that gone are the days of tie dye bongs and VW Bugs and here are the days of smoking for creativity and health. For this reason, real estate agents are cashing in on the high-end cannabis market and all the modern
products that are now coming into it. We’re talking 9.5 million-dollar homes that have puff puff pass circles on the patio of the open house with 7 different vape flavors to choose from. Of course, all vapes are bought from legal dispensaries because black market vapes, and million-dollar listings do not seem to go well together. Who would have guessed?
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What’s pH got to do with it? by Kathy Goff, EdD
I have grown plants for many years and have heard of pH but never really paid much attention to it. My previous marijuana growing experiences were clandestine outdoor grows where you found a place and planted the seeds. Then you let them grow and hoped that nobody else found them before harvest. So tending them was not really an option. Now that it is legal to grow personal marijuana with a patient card, I found out that pH is totally important. Soil pH is the measure of acidity (sourness) or alkalinity (sweetness) of a soil. The pH scale goes from 0.0 to 14.0. The most acid soil is 0.0 and the most alkaline is 14.0. Halfway along the scale, 7.0, is neutral, neither acid nor alkaline. A soil gets more acid as the pH values decrease from 7.0 to 0.0 and is more alkaline as pH values increase from 7.0 to 14.0. Marijuana thrives in a slightly acidic growing medium in the range of 5.56.5. In fact most plants prefer a slightly acidic pH. The ideal pH for growing marijuana should be considered as a range rather than a specific number. This is because different nutrients become available to the plant at slightly different pH levels. By having your pH sitting within a range rather than at a specific point, you make more nutrients available. If the pH of your growing medium veers outside of these ranges, certain nutrients and trace elements will no longer be available to the plant. This means that the plant may begin to show symptoms of deficiency of a particular nutrient, even though that nutrient may be physically present at the plant’s roots. If you do not monitor the pH of your growing medium, you can end up feeding a plant more and more nutri-
ents to fix a deficiency and the plant simply cannot take them on board. If unchecked this situation can lead to a build up of salts in the growing medium that block up the plant’s roots. This is nutrient lock out. Your plants can literally die of starvation despite how much you are feeding them. When you grow marijuana in soil in containers, pH of the water changes the pH of the soil and the whole range of nutrients become available to your plant as the soil slowly dries out again. Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients to the plants and the beneficial bacteria and microbes that help with the uptake of nutrients. If you are using tap water, let it sit in a bucket or reservoir for a day or two to allow it to dechlorinate, then check the pH to make sure it is within the required range. Tap water often contains minerals and impurities that can affect pH. Rapidly growing plants consume different nutrients at different rates, thus altering pH. Maintaining the correct pH level for your soil is an ongoing task. If you grow marijuana in a hydroponics system, then pH management is a much more important issue. With no soil to act as a buffer changes in your pH values take effect much more quickly. With hydro grows allowing your pH to fluctuate within a prescribed range is important as it allows all of the nutrients in the solution to become available to the plant in turn. Luckily, this happens naturally as the pH of the solution in your hydroponic reservoir will drift over time. Whilst pH levels are important to all marijuana growers, hydro growers need to be more in control of pH than soil growers. In general there are three ways to measure your pH level, either by using
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a pH pen/meter, pH testing liquid and pH strips. They all measure the acidity and alkalinity based on a 0 to 14 scale, 7 being neutral (water). The pH meter/ pen costs the most, but provides more precise measurements to the decimal level. pH testing liquids allow you to raise and lower pH of your nutrient mixture and water using proprietary pH Up and pH Down liquid solutions. With either the nutrient testing liquids or a pH test strip, you will just get a general idea of the pH level based on the color of the testing solution or strip. There are several organic solutions to raising and lowering pH as well. To raise the soil pH use lime or dolomite. The addition of Dolomite Lime to soils at about 1 – 2 tablespoons per gallon of soil is a good way to help control the pH of overly acidic soils. To decrease the soil pH use superfine dusting or water soluble sulfur, sphagnum peat or organic mulches mixed into the soil. When the new growth of my plants was bright yellow, I knew something wasn’t quite right. I did some research and found that it was a pH problem. I had not been paying attention to the pH. I began to monitor the pH by testing the water, with and without nutrients, that I gave to my plants. I fed them lower pH water to bring it down which resulted in new growth that was green. Now I monitor the pH in all of the water that use on my plants. Monitoring pH levels must be part of your regular plant maintenance routine. For more in depth or personal information, I suggest you contact a local grow supply store, such as Skunk Grow Supply in Tulsa or Lucky’s Grow Supply in OKC.
Cooking with grass by Kayla Johnson
The sugar-powered fun of Halloween is over, and the Christmas season is waiting just around the corner, along with other beautiful holiday celebrations. As much as I love carving pumpkins, and decorating for the holiday season, Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart for a multitude of reasons. There’s something really heartwarming about gathering together with your friends and family and being grateful that you’re together, but for this holiday, there’s something that most of us enjoy just as much, if not more (we won’t judge): the food. Whether your family and loved ones create a traditional feast with turkey and the fi xings, or if you forge your own culinary path for Thanksgiving, there’s something about pecan pie that almost makes it mandatory this time of year. It’s a classic, sweet-with-a-hint-of-salty dessert that you can make before your holiday gathering with minimum effort, and depending on whether or not you make your own crust, you can make it a pretty potent treat for your holiday medicating needs. Pecan pie has become even more popular in recent years thanks to a lot of customizations to the classic recipe. The one we’ve chosen to share is a classic recipe, but however you want to add some pizzazz to your pie, there’s a way: caramel
Cannabutter Pie Crust
Ingredients: 1 ½ C all purpose flour ½ Tsp. salt 3 Tbsp. white sugar ½ C cannabutter - very cold 3 Tbsp. ice water 1 large egg yolk Parchment paper and dry beans/pie weights for pre-baking Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 425In a large bowl, combine your flour, sugar, and salt, and using either a fork or a pastry blender, cut in your cannabutter until the mixture looks like it’s coarse and crumbly. 2. Add your yolk to your ice water, mix, and then combine with the flour and butter, until the mixture forms a ball. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour. While the dough chills, grease a nine inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray or oil, whatever you usually use to bake. 3. Roll out the dough until it’s ⅛” thick, and carefully place it into the greased pie plate, making sure the crust doesn’t hang over unevenly on any side. Trim or crimp edges as you desire, then poke holes in the bottom with a fork. After greasing one side of a piece of parchment paper, place it grease-side down on the crust, top with the dry beans or your pie crust weights, and bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove the weights and paper, cover the edges of the crust with foil, and bake for 5-8 minutes, or until it’s dry to the touch. Baking it lightly before adding the filling will keep the bottom crust from becoming overly soft, but if you prefer it that way, feel free to skip this step.
pecan pies, chocolate pecan pies, mini pies, huge sheet pies, cheesecakes..the list goes on, so don’t be afraid to branch out a little. We won’t judge if you decide to bake more than one with different fl avors added; you know, for research. As always, make sure you keep your infused pie properly labeled or separated from the desserts for general consumption, just to keep anyone from any unexpected Thanksgiving-esque naps. It’s also important to remember that this recipe, however delicious it is, is infused, so eating multiple slices in a short amount of time may result in an extremely potent effect, so go back for seconds of this with caution. Note: If you’re low on time or just not a fan of making your own crust, you can absolutely use a pre-made pie crust from the store, but if you want an extra opportunity for infusing your pie, we’ve also included a very simple recipe for a cannabutter pie crust, for all your infused pie needs.
Canna-pecan pie Ingredients: Pie crust, either homemade or pre-packaged 1 C packed light brown sugar ¾ C light corn syrup 6 Tbsp. cannabutter, melted 2 Tsp. vanilla extract ½ tsp. Salt 3 large eggs 2-2 ½ C pecan halves
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Instructions: 1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together your cannabutter, corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. Use a whisk to beat in the eggs, and stir in the pecan halves. If desired, save some halves to decorate the top neatly before baking. 2. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees, cover the edges with foil if desired, and continue baking for 45-50 minutes, until the filling is set and golden brown. Cool for at least one hour, or until the middle is more solid.
From the Front Lines
The Oklahoma Medical Cannabis Movement
by Chip Paul My wife Cynthia Paul was featured with her personal story in the last Herbage Magazine, which has been well received. You never know when you are that intimate with your story. A lot of people ask me when and how I got interested in cannabis and when I become a patient, so
This was a BIG decision for me. I had alot of fear about becoming “addicted”. We made the decision to try medical cannabis and it worked better than I could have possibly imagined. When cannabis worked for me for pain, and after a small period of time where I convinced myself I would not become “addicted”, I became a passionate advocate. As I said many times on the campaign trial...”you cannot change the mind of a converted NO on medical cannabis...”. Once you have seen how this plant works, once you have seen the magic, you cannot ever “go back” to the outdated paranoid ideas that were forced on us by government, the medical community, and the research community. “Discernment” a very important word. And once you have learned the facts about medical cannabis, or experience for yourself, you can never again be a NO on the issue.
I thought I might add my story to hers. I was a staunch tee totaler and a hard NO on medical cannabis for most of my life. I bought the patter that cannabis would lead to other drugs and would start an “addiction spiral”. When I was in my 30’s I injured my back while trying to lift way more weight than I should have been trying to lift. I had severe inflammation in my lower discs which caused significant daily pain. Thru my 40’s I treated this pain with almost a daily regimen of tylenol and advil. I sought the help of an orthopedist and also received steroid injections in my back. While all of these things would help, the overall trend was more and more pain. Somewhere in the early 2010’s Cynthia and I had a discussion regarding both or our severe pain. Would we choose to go traditional pain management with opiates or would we try medical cannabis.
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There are new cannabis strains being created every day, by breeders and growers all across the country, and some of them are absolutely incredible plants, leading to some absolutely incredible medicine. While it seems there are constantly new strains being introduced here in Oklahoma as well, there is one that has been a constant favorite in other states, and here at home, it’s no different. White Widow is probably one of the most famous and well-known strains in the world. Created by Green House Seeds in the 1990s, this strain is a potent sativa dominant hybrid that reflects its name: it’s extremely common for buds of White Widow to be absolutely covered in a thick blanket of shimmery trichomes, giving it one of the most consistently frosty appearances. Most often, flowers from these plants tend to be a bit on fluffy side, and the bud I had was a lovely shade of bright green with just a few pistils seen beneath that lush carpet of trichomes. That frosted coat is what helps this flower pack a heavy punch, and pairs nicely with the powerful and rather unique combination of terpenes this strain carries. Caryophyllene, paired with limonene and myrcene give it an earthy, peppery aroma that is surprisingly sweet and citrusy at the same time. That peppery, energizing scent in itself is uplifting enough to want it in air-freshener form, but it’s when it’s smoked or vaporized that this strain really shines.
That sweet-citrusy, earthy hint that White Widow has is even more apparent after lighting up. The smoke wasn’t harsh, but it was thick, so I still ended up coughing quite a bit, so use caution if you don’t like larger hits. The flavor was really pronounced, even after exhaling, and the aroma left in the room was still uplifting, almost like an earthy, fruiting incense, but it’s extremely noticeable, even if it doesn’t have that skunk-esque hint that many other strains are known for. The uplifting aroma and flavor of White Widow is nothing compared to the uplifting effects, however; almost immediately, I felt energized and almost euphoric, wanting to knock out my entire to-do list in an afternoon, and doing it with a big smile on my face the whole time. It’s a potent strain for anyone who enjoys creativity, but especially for those who are facing tasks they consider to be boring or tedious, White Widow offers some intense focus. As uplifting and energizing as the strain is, for most patients, it will also offer a steady relaxation that helps keep you grounded, letting you just flow through your normal daily tasks and activities with more energy and a more upbeat outlook. White Widow’s ability to help patients find a balance of energized and relaxed makes it a particularly prime choice for patients who find themselves struggling with depression, PTSD, stress or
Pick Of The Month
White Widow
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anxiety. Being such an uplifting strain makes it an obvious choice for many with depression, and in higher doses, it can be quite beneficial for patients who need relief from chronic pain as well. Because it’s such a potent strain, you won’t be surprised when I tell you that White Widow will give you a very dry mouth, especially in a larger or concentrated dose, and while it can, of course, be easily remedied by drinking water consistently during your medication session, it can be quite uncomfortable to deal with, as can the other main side effect I noticed: dry eyes. Overall, White Widow is a classic for a reason: it has some really beautiful, comforting effects, especially if you’re needing something to help you power through your day when your mental health isn’t at its peak. For those who have a low tolerance to cannabis, I recommend starting off slow, simply because it could potentially be overwhelming for a new patient, but even in microdoses, it’s a cheer-bringing strain that can make a world of difference for patients battling with depression and PTSD especially.
by Kayla Johnson
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Ask Gro Mama by Kathy Goff
This column is dedicated to patients that want to grow their own marijuana. I will be discussing the basics of personal growing and will take questions for you readers. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, so let’s see if we can help. The first thing to decide is where you are going to grow your marijuana. You can legally grow 6 plants and 6 seedlings per licensee. You will need to decide whether you want to grow indoors and/or outdoors. There are pros and cons for both. This time of year you will be growing indoors. OK, you are growing indoors. Will you grow in soil or water? Are you going to grow plants, from seeds or cuttings, to plant outdoors in the Spring or to flower and produce buds before Spring? You can grow in a closet, under stairs, spare room or any other space that you can control the environment. A traditional grow tent system is often used because they include a light with timer, air flow system and air filter to eliminate odors. When designing your space, take into account the amount of room your plants will need, the equipment (tent, lights, fans, air filters, etc.) plus enough room for you to work. Cannabis plants can double or even tripe in size in the early stage of flowering so be sure you have enough room. Once you identify a space, then it is time to think about lighting. The better your light, the more you will harvest. Where and how are you going to hang your light? Grow tents have a bar at the top to hang a light. If you are growing in an open space, you will need to mount your light(s) so that they can be lowered and raised. What light to choose is a personal decision. Two types of lights are LED lights and HID lights. LED iLight-Emitting Diode) lights last much longer, use little electricity and don’t generate much heat. The best designs generate a fuller spectrum of light. They are on the expensive side, so do some research and read product reviews before purchasing. HID (high intensity discharge) are cheap to buy but use lots of electricity and produce a lot of heat. Two main types of HID lamps are: metal
halide (MH) which produce light that is blue-ish white and are generally used during vegetative growth. High pressure sodium (HPS) produce light that is more on the red end of the light spectrum and are used during the bloom stage. In addition to blubs, HID lighting setups require a ballast and hood/reflector for each light. I suggest that you contact Lucky’s Grow Supply in OKC or Skunk Grow Supply in Tulsa for further information on lights. I use (2)1000W LED lights with a veg and/or bloom settings. I like LED’s because they don’t get hot and use little electricity. You will need to determine what wattage you want, even when purchasing a grow tent system. You need a timer on your grow light(s) when growing the plants. In the veg stage, the plants receive 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. Your lights need to turn on and off at the same times every day or risk stressing your plants. For the bloom stage, the plants need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. It is crucial that your grow space be light-tight. Light leaks during dark periods will confuse your plants and can cause them to produce male flowers instead of buds. Your plants need fresh air to thrive. This means that you will need a steady stream of air flowing through your grow space. You can use a box fan or a small clip-on circulating fan to move the air around your plants. This helps stop mold from growing and keeps certain very small insects from invading. Grow tents use an exhaust fan near the top of to remove the warmer air and a filtered air inlet on the opposite side near the floor to bring in fresh air. Once you have made these decisions, the next step is to get started growing. I will discuss growing in the next column along with answering your questions.
Send your questions to HerbageGroMama@gmail.com 14
CANNABIS QUESTIONS? A sk Dooct ccttoorr B en! Ask Ben! @ DoccttorrB Ben @DoctorBen D occttorrB Ben@grreeencclloudagenccy y.com DoctorBen@greencloudagency.com Dr. Benjamin Berenberg, M.D. President of Cannabis Sciences at GCA and Urogynecologist at Optimal Health in Edmond
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Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and for most people, that’s really the day that kicks off the rush of the holiday season. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, it can seem like it’s nonstop family gatherings, holiday work functions, class parties for your kids, cooking and decorating. Thanksgiving is a special holiday for most, because it’s not only that you’re gathered with your friends, family and loved ones, but it’s also a season for gratitude, and appreciating not only what you have, but how far you’ve come. For cannabis patients in Oklahoma especially, there’s a lot to celebrate. This time last year, we were sitting at just over 12,000 patients that had been approved for their license. Now, we’re well over 200,000 strong in the state, with the number of patients growing, and the industry thriving across the state. We have one of the most well-written, patient friendly programs in the country, and we’re completely blowing away expectations on just about every cannabis-related-front. Even with the success so far, the industry here isn’t perfect; there’s a lot that needs to be adjusted, or changed. There are rotten apples in the barrel selling to people without cards or buying illegal products, and at times, a serious lack of communication between the OMMA and businesses. Some patients are adding to the problem by supporting these businesses that are breaking regulations, or by breaking their own laws. Some families
Thanksgiving by Kayla Johnson
continue to shun their loved ones just for being a cannabis patient, and other patients are still too afraid to come out of the shadows with their legal use, for fear of upsetting friends or family. There’s still so much work to be done, and so much opposition still, from individuals up to major corporations who want to see cannabis fail in Oklahoma. In the midst of the problems and issues that have appeared over the last year, there’s something else that has become readily apparent: the patients here are grateful. They’re thankful for the budtenders who take the time to learn about cannabis, terpenes, and consumption methods, so that their customers and the patients coming in can get the best quality help they can, to get them the help they need without focusing on making a buck. They’re grateful for the growers who are making every effort to ensure that their flower is not only of the highest quality they can produce, but that the flower they send to dispensaries and processors is safe and chemical free, to produce clean medicine for some of the neediest patients. They’re thankful for the processors who work to produce clean, concentrated med-
icine, and for those who work to learn from both their mistakes, and their successes to make sure that the patients have safe, potent medicine to help with their pain or anxiety. They’re grateful for those who are working tirelessly to help weed out the businesses that have unsafe or unethical business practices, to protect patients and other businesses, and those who are also working to keep the businesses who are doing the right thing open and thriving for the patients they serve. They’re thankful for the people among us who work nearly day and night to see legislation passed to ensure rights and protections for cannabis patients and businesses, ensuring that products are fully tested before they hit shelves, and expanding on patient rights as the program continues to grow. They’re grateful for their fellow patients: for being brave enough to share their stories online, in magazines, in newspapers, and in person. By having the courage to come out and say ‘I’m a cannabis patient, here’s my story and my ‘why’, they encourage others to do the same. Most of all, they’re just thankful for legal access to cannabis, to be able to legal medicate and take away their pain safely, or to be able to eat a gummy before a social event that would normally be incredibly stressful. They’re grateful for having options, even if others don’t agree, and they’re grateful for progress.
If Your Thanksgiving Spread Was Cannabis Strains Instead of Food by Brittney Graham
Thanksgiving is a time where we are grateful for what we have, and the medical marijuana patients of Oklahoma will be giving thanks for SQ788 and all the fruition it has brought to the local cannabis community. Not to mention the financial help it has given the Oklahoma community in general non cannabis related as well. While we do so, we thought it would be fun to think of being grateful over a meal of Cannabis strains rather than a meal of food, a Danksgiving if you will. Of course, we will not be giving up the turkey any time soon but the aspects of how good that green bean casserole will taste with the munchies is just too good to pass up! Starting off our Danksgiving meal will be the salad, which in this case is the CBD potent Hybrid Cherry Wine. We thought starting off the meal with a less than 1% THC strain was a smashing idea since we MUST make it to the turkey, right? Sweet
cherry notes and hints of black pepper will have everyone ready to start the festivities and the meal. Since this strain is both calming and energizing it will also make being around all your extended family more enjoyable as well. Next, we have our sides. Although the sides for a normal Thanksgiving are vast, when it comes to strains, we have found trying to many options at once might not be the best for the middle of the meal. So, we have the energizing hybrid Blue Dream to represent our sides for this lovely turkey day. This strain will have you feeling happy, euphoric, and levelheaded so you can enjoy the company of those you love without getting a couch lock before dessert. The star of the table is up next! Representing our Turkey will be 9 Pound Hammer because we must have a strain that mimics how delightfully full and tired that turkey makes us. The relaxing effects of this couch
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lock Indica will have you hitting the pause button before dessert. In our opinion, this will give you time to really savor the meal you just had and be ready to enjoy the munchies that are inevitably about to set in once this strain takes hold of you. It is finally time for dessert and at the end of this Danksgiving meal, we think it is best to end on a Sativa note. I mean, we still must be able to make it home at some point, or the couch to say the least. Chocolope is the perfect Sativa for this job! Not only does it mimic the sound of a mouthwatering slice of pie it also produces a strong euphoric mental shift. Creativeness and energy are also to be expected once this strain is consumed. Helping with the stress of that entire meal of family questions and the depression of that amazing meal coming to an end this strain is the perfect way to end the first Thanksgiving after the passing of SQ788.
Getting to Know Your Cannabinoids by Brittney Graham
Welcome back to the cannabinoid series! This month we are going to focus on Cannabichromene (CBC) which is most frequently found in tropical cannabis varieties such as the hybrid strains 3 Kings and Jorge’s Diamonds. It is known to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, inhibit cell growth in tumor or cancer cells, and promotes bone growth. The mediation of the effect of CBC appears to transfer though non-cannabinoid receptor interactions. CBC was discovered almost 50 years ago and is considered one of the “big 6” cannabinoids prominent in scientific research. Although it does not get as much attention as its CBD and THC counterparts, its benefits are extremely promising. CBC shares the same origins as THC and CBD since they all stem from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the precursor to the three major cannabinoids THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. When it comes to CBD, it converts from CBGA into cannabichrome carboxylic acid (CBCA), and then finally to CBC after exposure to heat or ultraviolet light. When it comes to the binding of CBC to the CB1 receptor in the brain, it is done so poorly, that the result is the effects of this cannabinoid are non-intoxicating. However, it does bind with other receptors in the body very well such as TRPA1 and TRPV1 which are linked to pain perception in the body. When activated, CBD increased levels of the body’s natural endocannabinoids like anandamide are released. When it comes to medicinal benefits of CBC, research has found it could be a powerful cancer
fighter. The reason for this might be its interaction with the body’s natural endocannabinoid, anandamide. CNC also appears to inhibit the uptake of this natural endocannabinoid allowing to remain longer in the blood stream. A recent study in which tumor growth was initiated in mice showed cannabinoids might be effective in inhibiting both inflammation and tumor growth. Since anandamide has been shown to fight breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, this shows promise that CBC might one day be a chemo preventive treatment. The potential of CBC to fight cancer was first published in a study in 2006 that looked at the cannabinoids other than THC and their possible effects on cancer. While THC is known for its anti-tumor properties for several different forms of cancer, its powerful psychotropic qualities can make it difficult to chemotherapy use. So far, research has found CBD to be the second most potent cannabinoid at inhibiting the growth of new cancer cells (CBG being the most potent). CBC has also been reported to benefit with Acne, depression, and having a positive effect on brain cells. Obviously, more research is being done when it comes to CBC and it effects on its own as well as an entourage effect with CBD and THC. With this research, we hope to see products being offered to patients become more diverse as well as the amount of health benefits to count on with it. See you next month when we discuss another cannabis cannabinoid and all the benefits it has to offer!
THCTHCA CBG C B D CBDA CBGA 20
Counting Down the Days to The Cowboy Cup by Brittney Graham
Oklahoma’s very own Cannabis Championship & Harvest Celebration is kicking off its inaugural celebration at the legendary Tumbleweed Dance Hall on December 13th-14th and it is so close we can almost taste it! As sponsors of this down-home event, we wanted to share with our readers what makes us so excited for this cup and what sets it apart from other competitions and events the Oklahoma Cannabis community has experienced over the past year. Music, food, the championship, and the spirit of competition are just a part of the checklist of reasons to attend, so let’s get to it! Cannabis growers, processors, and enthusiasts are invited to come together in the spirit of competition, collaboration, and of course celebration of Oklahoma’s growing cannabis community. To be very clear, The Cowboy Cup is FOR Oklahoma BY Oklahomans. This is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing aspects of this event. Patients benefit from this motto as there will be handicap accessibility, shuttles to and from hotels around Stillwater, and a safe environment to enjoy cannabis culture. Vendor tents will be heated to accommodate for the cold December chill and enough food trucks will be onsite to feed the number of patrons expected. Being for Oklahomans means that the events taking place at The Cowboy Cup will benefit the Oklahoma Community as a whole and not just the Cannabis community. For example, I had the opportunity to speak with Daniel Lewis about an amazing philanthropic idea that will come into fruition at the cup. Daniel and his team will be choosing around six artists and four glassblowers to do an exhibition free of charge to show off their creations. All that is asked in return is that the artists create one live piece during the weekend, and have it auctioned for charity during the festivities. In addition, to help Oklahomans still in need of doctor’s recommendations, Presto Doctors will be holding a patient drive during the event as well.
Oklahoma licensed commercial cannabis growers and processors have been entering samples for the following judging categories; Flower, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, CBD, and topicals. Of course, each category has subcategories such as the breakdown in the flower portion of the championship which is indoor, sun grown, light assist, and grand champion flower. Deadlines for all samples except sun grown flower passed on the first of this month but if you are planning on submitting your sun grown, you have until November 30th. The judging process was done by using an open judge application and a group of diverse judges were chosen. The Cowboy Cup has been very upfront about the fact that they will allow no collusion or tampering with the judging process, so much so, that entries will be judged using two methods. The first is qualitative; which means appearance, aroma, taste, and experience will be scored by the handpicked and interviewed judges. The second is quantitative: Cannabinoid levels, and all entries are being tested by F.A.S.T labs to OMMA compliance standards. To be more specific, during the testing process, F.A.S.T labs will take the entries and make a little black book of names to numbers. When the judges that were chosen mark their scores on each entry it will be to a number not a name and Daniel will send the numbers to the lab so that they can match each score to the correct name. At this point, cards will be printed with the names of the winners for each category, sealed in envelopes, picked up by Daniel himself and not opened until the award ceremony.
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Daniel has also made comments on those expecting to buy their way into a win, “We will hold a fair, clean, and honest competition where every entrant will have to same opportunity to win regardless of status as a vendor or sponsor.” This means everyone who enters has the same fair chances of winning, regardless of how much money or notoriety they do or do not have. Which is honestly how it should be for every cannabis competition. Winners will gain recognition as a top Oklahoma grower or processor earning them greater demand and higher prices for their wholesale products. And it will all be done with integrity and grit, the Sooner way! If good vibes and great tunes are on your checklist then the music line up will have you soaring! On Friday the Chris Garrett Band, Jack Waters and the Unemployed, Watermelon Slim, The Brothers Moore, and Sativa Prophets will be gracing the stage. On Saturday, the music will be on two stages; the Cannapages main stage with Brujo Roots, Downbeat, Taddy Porter, BC and the Big Rig and the Helix Lounge stage with Joe Mack, Henna Roso, The Dirty Little Bettys, Okie Noodlers, and The Stylees. The music in the lounge will have a more relaxed feel throughout the day with the main stage kicking of with the Rock N’ Roll after the awards Ceremony. Keep in mind you will need to purchase a VIP ticket to watch both days of the music line up, receive a swag bag, and be able to attend a free class. Speaking of tickets, The Cowboy Cup has limited tickets for sale in the general admission and VIP categories. This is done to ensure that everyone who attends is able to enjoy the event and not stuck in long never-ending lines the entire time. Tickets are available for purchase online at the CowboyCup.com and the Tumbleweed website. If you are looking for a fun, laid back, no pressure environment to learn more about the Oklahoma Cannabis culture and community then this is the event for you!
presents
Oklahoma’s Premier Cannabis Cham at the legendary TUMBLEWEED Stillwat FRIDAY
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. 10 p.m.–Midnight Midnight–2 a.m. SATURDAY
Main Stage
Chris Garrett Band Jack Waters and the Unemployed Watermelon Slim The Brothers Moore Sativa Prophets
Lounge Stage
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
Corner of Lakeview an
Main Stage
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Brujo Roots 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Downbeat 10 p.m. – Midnight Taddy Porter Midnight – 2 a.m. BC and the Big Rig
Joe Mack Henna Roso Dirty Little Betty’s Okie Noodlers The Stylees
@Cowboy_Cup
@TheCowboyCup
www.CowboyCup.com 22
DEC. 13-14
2019
ampionship and Harvest Celebration ED Dance Hall & Concert Arena ater, OK
and Country Club Road Classes available Saturday • Growing 101 • Solventless Extraction • Growing to Dispo: Optimizing the Supply Chain
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! VIP: $110.00 (2-day pass) General Admission: $45.00 (Saturday only) Tickets limited.
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Patient of the month by Kayla Johnson
Often, when people talk about how cannabis has changed their life, they mention the fact that cannabis has, in some way, helped them reclaim their life. It’s helped them rediscover life without pain, or anxiety, or whatever it is that has impacted them for so long, where nothing else has. For them, using cannabis as medicine is no different than taking Tylonel, or a multivitamin each day, as it should be, and by simply living their daily lives while consuming cannabis, they’re breaking the stigma away, bit by bit. Danielle Reseck is one of those patients. While originally from Georgia, Reseck has been an Oklahoman since she was three, and claims it as home. “Oklahoma is definitely where my heart is.” Like others, Reseck says she used cannabis in high school at times. “I used it for fun, and to help in social settings, but I always felt extremely guilty about it after, just because of the stigma that surrounded it.” For her, that guilt lingered, even into her 20s. “I felt like it was so risky to smoke, because the chance of getting caught, or failing a drug test at work terrified me.” While cannabis wasn’t something that was often discussed in her home growing up, Reseck says that changed for a while,” My parents never really talked to me about it, until they found my stash, then it was pretty clear they were opposed to it.” Though they were unhappy, she says that their concern was more over the legality of the plant, rather than the fear of danger from smoking it,” I knew my mom was more okay with it, but my stepdad had a lot of disdain for it. I’m finding that to be pretty typical for those who have never tried it.” Reseck says that despite that guilt that she felt,
she has always been pro-cannabis. “Now that I can smoke freely, the guilt has absolutely disappeared, and it is the best thing!” Like many patients, Reseck says she feels liberated by having her card. “I no longer feel bad medicating before family events, or even grocery shopping. Those are times I need cannabis the most, and now I can do my thing with zero worries.” She credits cannabis for helping her to manage her social anxiety especially. “I find it much better than taking a benzo from my doctor, like I was in the past.” Beyond just her use for managing her anxiety, however, Reseck says her list of other uses is nearly infinite. “It helps with cramps, stomach aches, any ache, really.” As many other patients have over the last year, Reseck says she’s come out of the cannabis closet to her friends and loved ones. “My husband and I are both open books about our cannabis use. We don’t have children yet, but they will know as much as they care to learn about it. It’s become such a big part of my life now that I couldn’t hide it if I wanted to.” Reseck also credits cannabis for helping her family. “Cannabis has brought my family together, funny enough. When they see someone they trust using it, that helps break down stereotypes a bit.” She says that though there have been questions, they’ve not been negative. “Overall, everyone has been super cool about it, and end up asking a ton of questions about it. It feels good.” While she hasn’t ventured into the cannabis industry, Reseck says she enjoys being a part of the online cannabis community immensely. “ I love seeing all my fellow Oklahomans pursue their passions in this industry, I know a lot of them have waited a long time to be vocal about something they love so much.” Even as a patient, however, Reseck says she can see the success so far, and the work still left to do,” I think the Oklahoma industry has exceeded expectations this last year, in a lot of ways. We are doing great, but we need more knowledgeable budtenders in the 24
advice I have.” It’s not uncommon for people who have never tried cannabis before to still feel a twinge of guilt or anxiety, or to even have a less-than-great experience the first time, and Reseck commented on the importance of not giving up, “Throw out every preconceived ideas you might have about cannabis; if you go into it feeling like you’re doing something wrong, you may not have results. It’s not uncommon for people to have to try different products and strains, because everyone’s different. Keep trying!” For those worried about what their family, friends, or even coworkers may say, her advice is even simpler: “Don’t listen to what others think, especially if you are getting what you need from cannabis.” dispensaries. There are some I know that are really setting the bar, but there is an equal amount that fall flat.” Reseck’s observation is one that has been echoed more than once by other patients, and is a common factor in why patients go to certain dispensaries. “I hate going into a shop and feeling like I’m totally on my own.” In addition to the commonly-mentioned need for more education, Reseck is ready to see things progress further. “I’d really love to see a bigger push for decriminalization.” For Reseck, one of the best things to come from the medical cannabis industry and community of patients is the openness with which important topics are discussed. “I have been so moved by hearing how much success people are having with cannabis, but the mental health stories are especially so uplifting to me. It’s really encouraged me to reach out more to the community, and share my own struggles with mental health.” The promental-health aspect of the cannabis community is an important one, especially for Reseck, who says she tries to be a positive contribution to it,” I always want to be that open ear for patients trying to find their balance with cannabis, and offer any 25
2005 S 129th E Ave Ste A, Tulsa, Oklahoma Mon-Sat 10am-8pm & Sun 12-6pm
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HEMP RULES! An Overview of the USDA’s Interim Rules BY: SARAH LEE GOSSETT PARRISH, CANNABIS LAWYER1
The 2018 Farm Bill repealed Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act and legalized production of industrial hemp across the country, removing it from the Controlled Substances Act’s definition of “marijuana” and from Schedule I, and vesting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) with regulatory authority over hemp, federally speaking. States Still in the Game In the wake of the 2018 Farm Bill, Oklahoma, like many states, enacted new legislation to amend the state agricultural pilot program and sync Oklahoma’s hemp laws to federal law. Governor Stitt signed the 2019 Oklahoma Industrial Hemp Program in May 2019, amending the 2018 pilot program to allow any authorized person to obtain a license for the purpose of growing and cultivating industrial hemp and removing restrictions on cultivation of industrial hemp and prior limitations that hemp must be grown for research and development. The 2019 Hemp Program also addresses handling and processing of industrial hemp, provides for interstate and intrastate shipment, and vests the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture with authority to prepare any necessary plans and reports required by the USDA for approval. The USDA has now implemented its interim final rule, effective October 31, 2019 through November 1, 2021, which clarifies monitoring, testing, and regulation of hemp under federal law. However, hemp growers must still have a license or other authorization from a state hemp program, tribal program, or, beginning November 30, 2019, the USDA hemp program—which will issue licenses to those in jurisdictions where a plan has not been approved or no plan has been submitted. The final interim rule is limited to industrial hemp production under the 2018 Farm Bill; it does not impact hemp being cultivated under 2014 Farm Bill programs. What The Interim Rule Provides In a lengthy document published in Vol. 84, No. 211/ October 31, 2019 of the Federal Register, the USDA outlines how it will approve plans submitted by States and Indian Tribes for domestic production of hemp and establishes a federal plan for those in states or tribal territories where there is no USDA-approved plan. Public comment will be accepted for 60 days, and additional guidance about specific rule provisions will be forthcoming. The complete text can be accessed at https:// www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp/rulemaking-documents.
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Hemp Defined. Federal law defines hemp as “Cannabis Sativa L. with THC concentration of 0.3% or less”. Plants with higher THC concentrations are deemed to be marijuana and remain a controlled substance under federal law. The interim final rule addresses state licensing of hemp farmers, maintaining and reporting of information, methods to sample and test plants for THC, and disposal of plants with higher THC levels that render them “marijuana”. Hemp for All; Testing; “Margin of Error”. The interim rule opens the door for hemp production in all states—even those without Hemp Pilot Programs. It requires background checks to prove those with direct or indirect financial interests in a hemp producing entity do not have felony convictions. It also standardizes sampling and testing procedures, requiring the use of post decarboxylation or similar reliable methods. Laboratories must be registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration and must calculate a “measurement of uncertainty,” i.e., a margin of error, when they report THC test results. This allows flexibility for growers to sell crops that test slightly above the 0.3% limit. Growers cultivating plants with THC levels of up to 0.5% need not fear retribution from the USDA, provided that they can show they were, in good faith, trying to grow hemp. However, federal law still mandates destruction of these crops. Thus, growers with lab results evidencing biomass that exceeds the acceptable 0.3% THC level must dispose of the entire lot (defined as “a contiguous area in a field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure containing the same variety or strain of cannabis throughout”) represented by the sample. The disposal process must be documented and reported to USDA. Hemp flower material must be tested via the sampling process within 15 days of harvest by a USDA-approved sampling agent. States may submit alternative protocols for sampling and testing if such protocols would yield similarly reliable results. What’s the Take-Away? Industrial hemp is baaaccckkk! Perhaps now, it is here to stay. We can only hope and pray! 1 Information contained herein provides general information related to the law and does not provide legal advice. It is recommended that readers consult their personal lawyer if they want legal advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship exists or is formed between you and Ms. Parrish as a result of this article.
David “Cal” Lawrence and the Art of Cannabis by Brittney Graham David “Cal” Lawrence is an award-winning registered Choctaw Artist, but remains humble and delivers the majesty and passion of art around the world. Needless to say, I was extremely inspired after sitting down with him and getting to chat about his artwork. Bleach, coffee, and cannabis are just the tip of the vast pool of mediums in which creativity flows from Lawrence’s views of the world around him into his art. As I sat with Lawrence, I could not help but notice how personable he was and how he seemed to be able to paint creations with not only his hands but with his words as well. It was easy to see that the man in front of me was the same man that is known for his humanitarian efforts, donating paintings and funds to support a number of charities such as; Breast Cancer Awareness, AIDS Awareness, and to the Goodland Academy in Goodland, OK. His roots run deep with the Academy as this is where his Father began his early education and with the understanding that art speaks to adoles-
cents instilled by his mother. Speaking of his parents, Lawrence grew up in a home that was very open to his artistic nature as often pottery and textiles were made around him. Both his mother and father were always supportive of whatever path he chose to take with his talents in life. They may not have always understood, but they were always behind him, which he could not help but say with a smile on his face. This openness really helped him accept a different way of looking at the world around him and paved the path for his open creativeness. Lawrence shared that sometimes ideas on mediums to use comes from happy accidents. Such as the time he was cleaning his house in a pair of black sweatpants he had cut into shorts. When he reached down under the sink to grab the bleach, he accidently knocked the top off and it splattered on his shorts. “Oh My Gosh that looks like a feather!”, he said to himself and the following thought was, “I can paint with bleach!”. The bleach cleaner was a little watery and made it hard to see the outlines and that is how he started using toilet boil cleaner as a medium for his creative portraits. Another happy accident was the creation of his paint made from the cannabis plant itself. As we have learned from the story above, Lawrence loves to experiment with different mediums and has made jaw dropping art with the likes of bleach and coffee grounds respectively. Thus, his interest in making paint out of some form of marijuana was formed and Lawrence started to experiment with ways to make the substance thick enough to create a sustainable art piece. 28
Using the entire cannabis plant is key! Which makes sense if we stop to think about it. Some of the best forms of medicine involve the entire cannabis plant and how its handled during the harvest and processing portion of its journey to each patient. Using the whole plant for a sustainable art piece naturally flows with that line of reasoning. Although, using cannabis in paint form does not take away from its THC potency as Lawrence learned one afternoon when answering a phone call from his business manager Damon. He had been painting with three or four paintbrushes at a time as he often finds himself doing and ended up with one in his mouth during a meticulous portion of his work. He had sounded a little off to his manager so when asked what was going on with him, it hit him that he had the serious case of the munchies and that his organic paint had taken on an edible like form. Obviously, using cannabis paint is very new in the community and Lawrence has had those who do not quite understand his approach.
He told me that he once went into a dispensary with his art and a lady behind the counter was so awe struck by his portrait of Bob Dylan that she started showing everyone in the shop. One of the patrons made a comment to the effect, “Why waste all that weed, man?” and honestly, we both couldn’t help but laugh at this portion of the story. As with everything in this budding industry, some will admire and some will not understand at first, however, I firmly believe that this form of art is here to stay and evolve. The cannabis-based paint has been used on shoes, clothing, and paper by Lawrence and the amount of detail that can be seen in the piece is outstanding. One would not believe that the art was made from pain using Marijuana until being told that is indeed what is being used. This is a skill that is mastered over a long period of time of honing one’s
skill, which Lawrence seems to have down to well, an artwork! As a big advocate for medical marijuana, Lawrence tells many of his friends, acquaintances, and family to try cannabis out for themselves to form their own opinions. Especially those suffering from opioid use or are in a state constant pain. When he gets scoffed at, he associates it to the first time he went to the chiropractor, the doctor told him you do not know how bad you feel until you get an adjustment and feel better. Those who have not tried medical marijuana are not aware of what it can do for their bodies or how much better it may make them feel. When I asked his advice to other aspiring artists or those just dipping their toes into the creative space, he made a wonderful point. Lawrence’s advice is that one should hang out with creative people, such as artists, writers, and musicians. Be open to all 29
types of creative expression however so you do not miss out on an opportunity for inspiration. Also, opening one’s eyes and trying to look at things in an out of the box way is another great piece of advice. Looking at Lawrence’s creations, I can easily see why following this advice would not be a bad idea at all cannabis family!
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