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inside
contents 10.2017
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departments
CULTURE Magazine celebrates 100 issues of famous celebrity advocates sharing their support for cannabis.
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The world has changed a lot since CULTURE Magazine first hit newsstands in 2009.
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Medical cannabis was first legalized in 1996—how have states evolved since then?
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Colorado’s Finest Learn more about the companies that are elevating our state’s cannabis industry.
Online Exclusive!
26 Company Highlight 28 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 30 Cool Stuff 32 Entertainment Reviews
in every issue
66 Growing Culture
68 Profile in Courage 70 Recipes 76 News of the Weird
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news 12 News Nuggets 13 By the Numbers 20 Legal Corner reviews 22 Dispensary Highlight
10 Letter from the Editor 16 Local News
Success in Strides
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d Medical Students Require More Training On Cannabis d Delaware Adds PTSD to List of Qualifying Conditions
Vol 9 IssUE 4
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CULTURE M
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams managing editor Addison Herron-Wheeler Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Sheryll Alexander, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic DesignerS Payden Codern, Nathan Hernandez sales director Joe Larson Regional Manager
Kim Cook
Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Alex Brizicky, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Monte Lee, Beau Odom, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Ryan Tripp, Shayne Williams, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy digital content manager David Edmundson Intern Sophia Rybicki Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 1,400 locations throughout Colorado. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
10940 S. Parker Road, #237 | Parker | CO | 80134-7440 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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L ETTER
F RO M
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E D I TOR
Upward and Onward
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ULTURE’s 100th issue is more than just a milestone for our magazine—it’s also a milestone for the cannabis community. The first issue of CULTURE hit the newsstands in Southern California in June, 2009. Back then, there were only 14 states that had voted in favor of medical cannabis, in comparison to the 29 states that have enacted medical cannabis programs today. Recreational cannabis states were non-existent in 2009—now in our 100th issue, eight states have legalized recreational cannabis. Through the evolution of our industry, CULTURE has never swayed from its core mission—to bring cannabis into the mainstream by sharing the stories of those who have been silenced for so long. Every page within this magazine has an intention. From sharing medical and scientific research and evidence in favor of cannabis, to promoting the legislative and cultural acceptance of this miraculous plant—we have not strayed from our purpose in 100 issues, and we never will. There are so many reasons to celebrate our victories— both as a magazine and as a community. However, as we revel in our excitement, we can’t forget that we still have a long way to go. Although we celebrate our progress, we must all be aware of the challenges that still lay ahead of us. I can promise you that here at CULTURE, we will continue to face opponents of cannabis, defending
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your inherent human right to consume a plant. By sharing your remarkable, brave, altruistic and awe-inspiring stories within our pages, spreading knowledge to the masses and ensuring consumers have safe access to cannabis will continue to be the inspiration for what we do. Finally, as a free magazine since our very first issue, we’d like to thank the many local and national business owners who have had a hand in supporting our endeavors. It is because of you that our industry has been built with a strong foundation from the ground up. Without our supportive community of patients, advocates, lawmakers and industry experts, we would not be able to share the many untold tales and first-hand stories with the masses for these past 100 issues. c Cheers to 100 more!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
L’Eagle Services Earns Certifiably Green Denver Designation The cannabis industry talks a big game about being green, and it shows in more ways than one. Recently a Denver dispensary called L’Eagle Services was awarded the Certifiably Green Denver designation for the second year in a row. L’Eagle Services is still the only cannabis business to receive this certification, among other Denver businesses such as boutiques, salons and bars. L’Eagle Services owner Amy Andrle is proud that her cannabis business was chosen to represent the region’s dedication to “going green.” “As cannabis businesses strive to be
treated like any other retail business, this recognition puts L’Eagle on the same platform as many other retail stores in the city and county of Denver, and that’s a huge step in the right direction towards normalizing marijuana and treating cannabis businesses equally,” Andrle told CULTURE. This recognition serves as a symbolic reminder of how much legal cannabis has been accepted into Colorado society.
Milliken Approves Cannabis Dispensaries to Help with Town Funding The town of Milliken approved two retail cannabis facilities to open within town limits at a board meeting last month. The decision was made in regards to the town’s budget impact, as Milliken has some projects that it seeks to complete, including the building of new roads. They noticed the success of Garden City, a nearby town also in Weld County, which made over $1 million last year alone in cannabis sales revenue. Garden City was able to use this money to improve their community. “I think more revenue was the reason the board pushed it,” Leonard Wiest, town manager for Milliken,
Federal Study Indicates Youth Cannabis Consumption Continues to Drop According to data from a national survey by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, youth cannabis consumption in America has dropped overall since 2002. It was reported that 6.5 percent of participants said they had consumed cannabis within the last 30 days—a 21 percent drop since 2002. “The percentage of people aged 12 or older 12
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told CULTURE. “At this point we don’t know how much it will help, but we hope [it’s] enough to help with the roads.” Like many other small towns in the nation, Milliken is embracing cannabis thanks to the overwhelmingly positive numbers reflected by statewide cannabis revenue in other Colorado towns.
who were current marijuana users in 2016 was higher than the percentages from 2002 to 2015,” The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report reads. “ . . . The increase in marijuana use reflects increases in marijuana use among adults aged 26 or older and, to a lesser extent, among young adults aged 18 to 25. Marijuana use among adolescents aged 12 to 17 was lower in 2016 than in most years from 2009 to 2014.” The findings support past studies, including a 2016 Monitoring the Future report, that have come to similar conclusions.
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was collected in recreational cannabis sales in Colorado in July 2017: (Source: Colorado Department of Revenue)
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The amount of money, in dollars, that was collected from cannabis tax revenue and awarded to Jeffco Public Schools: (Source: Denver Westword)
825,164
The total amount of money, in millions of dollars, that will be given to various schools in Colorado to create a cannabis prevention program to educate and keep cannabis away from minors: (Source: Fox6Now)
The number of acres of hemp plants that Colorado hemp farmers expect to harvest this year: (Source: The Denver Post)
9,000
The approximate percentage of women who hold executive roles in cannabis businesses in the United States, according to a 2017 survey: (Source: Santa Barbara Independent)
9.2
The amount of money, in billions of dollars, that United States businesses will sell in hemp-based products within the next three years: (Source: Forbes)
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The percentage of New Zealanders who either want to decriminalize or legalize cannabis, according to a 2017 market research poll: (Source: New Zealand Drug Foundation)
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Spannabis
WHEN: Fri, Oct. 13-Sun, Oct. 15 WHERE: Pabellón de Cristal of Casa de Campo, Madrid, Spain WEBSITE: spannabis.com Spain is one of Europe’s most cannabis-friendly countries with cannabis clubs that date back to 1991 and decriminalization laws in place to help protect consumers. So, it’s not a surprise that events like Madrid’s seventh annual Spannabis conference are central to the local cannabis community, bringing in thousands of cannabis enthusiasts every year. The event began in Barcelona, but has expanded to the cities of Madrid and Málaga. Event organizers hope that this year’s event will attract even more attendees. The three-day conference
will be held in Pabellón de Cristal of Casa de Campo near the heart of Madrid. There, attendees will learn new tips and skills about the world of cannabis, including topics covering medicine, business, science and politics. The event takes place at a three-story glass pavilion with plenty of space for exhibitors, vendors and speakers. Although consumption of cannabis in Spain is only legal in cannabis clubs and private residences, there is an unlimited amount of knowledge to be discovered at this event. (Sophia Rybicki) CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Canna Grow Expo
Untimely Error Colorado cannabis tax error harms local Denver programs By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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olorado recently called a special session among legislators to fix an error that caused the loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue for several major recipients. According to The Denver Post, this special session, called by Gov. John Hickenlooper, is the first special session request in five years, and it is an unusual step for Hickenlooper, who normally defers legislative decisions in these cases. However, he felt that the severity of this mistake warrants a closer look. The issue was initially discovered at the end of June, after the legislative session had drawn to a close. Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD, the city’s local public transportation company) along with some other local organizations, appear to have suffered because of Senate Bill 267, a measure that overhauled state hospital funding and increased a special cannabis sales tax from 10 to 15 percent. “RTD greatly appreciates the General Assembly and Governor Hickenlooper
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stepping forward to address the Senate Bill 267 error as quickly as possible,” Scott Reed, assistant general manager of communications for RTD, told CULTURE. “The leadership of the General Assembly, the administration and the sponsors of SB267 have all acknowledged that SB-267’s removal of voter-approved funding for special districts was an inadvertent mistake, and they are working to quickly remedy that error through a special session. Many special districts have been negatively impacted, losing a total of approximately $10 million per year.” Reed stated that the erroneous bill cost customers money and took a toll on the organization as a whole. “As just one example, the SB-267 error is costing RTD customers approximately $500,000 per month,” he explained. “RTD already has pressure on its budgets, and losing $6 million per year through an inadvertent mistake is making a difficult revenue situation even worse. RTD’s funding was approved by voters initially in 1973, increased by voters in 2004, and its revenues were ‘de-Bruced’ by voters in 1995, 1999 and 2004. The error in SB-267 in effect thwarts the clearly-expressed will of voters.” (De-Bruced means bypassing spending restrictions set forth by former legislator Douglas Bruce.) “In my experience and according to their publication FYI Sales 93: Sales Tax on Marijuana, the Department of Revenue still requires dispensaries to pay the RTD taxes,” Nick Richards, Esq., of Dill Dill Carr Stonbraker & Hutchings PC in Denver, explained to CULTURE. “So this appears to be a fight regarding how to use the money. I think it will take an act of congress for RTD to recoup the lost funds.” The results of this special sessions will determine whether or not the RTD and other organizations looking to recoup their money will be successful. c
If you have a passion for managing and harvesting topshelf cannabis, then you’ll be right at home at the CannaGrow Expo. Packed into two full days and offering over 25 different educational sessions led by world class growers, this event is devoted purely to the integrity of the art and science of cultivating cannabis. Cultivators, managers, owners and consumers are welcome to collaborate and learn the best tips and tricks of cannabis cultivation. The Cultivation 101 class is a great place for beginner level cultivators to start, as the class features essential tips for first-time growers. The event as a whole will allow over 100 cannabis businesses in the expo hall to show off the latest nutrients, products and techniques that the industry has to offer. This is the place for ideas to flourish within a friendly cannabis growing community. (Sophia Rybicki) WHEN: Sat, Oct. 28Sun, Oct. 29 WHERE: Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Hotel & Convention Center, 15500 E 40th Ave., Denver WEBSITE: canna growexpo.com
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Keeping the Pace Colorado still remains the best source for analyzing source for recreational cannabis sales data By Charlie Alovisetti, Vicente Sederberg LLC
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ne of the most exciting aspects of the cannabis industry is the extraordinarily high growth rate seen as the industry transitions from the underground economy to the legal, regulated market. While there has been, and continues to be, a great deal of speculation about the future growth rate of cannabis businesses, there are only a limited number of examples of actual legal, regulated markets. Colorado, which first saw retail sales of cannabis on January 1, 2014, is currently the oldest and most mature legal cannabis market in the world and a good place to look for historical data when trying to estimate future rates of growth. Colorado had annual total sales (both medical and retail) in 2014 of $702,816,603 and in
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2016 of $1,313,156,546, equating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.69 percent. The first year of growth was the fastest, with annual growth of 41.47 percent. Growth from 2015 to 2016 was slower, but still substantial, at 31.82 percent. On the medical side, growth was substantially slower, with a CAGR of 6.20 percent. While on the retail (i.e., recreational) side, growth was significantly greater, with a CAGR of 66.80 percent. This is not a fair comparison since the advent of retail sales has reduced the incentive to get medical cannabis cards—on January 31, 2014, there were 111,030 patients with registered medical cannabis cards compared to only 94,577 on December 31, 2016—and some of the retail growth likely has been cannibalization of what would have been medical sales growth. Why is this significant? CAGR is a useful measure of growth over time—the easiest way to think of it is as an average that represents the consistent rate at which an investment would have grown if the investment had compounded at the same rate each year. In finance, CAGR is considered one of the more accurate ways to gauge returns for any asset or portfolio or other metric (e.g., annual sales) that can increase or decrease over time. Cannabis sales in Colorado demonstrate very impressive CAGRs when compared to those of other industries. As an example, average growth in the global energy drink industry, often considered a fastgrowing segment, has only been ten percent over the past five years. The beverage industry in general experienced a CAGR of 2.3 percent
for the period spanning 20072016. And, though it is an inexact comparison since these numbers reflect projected CAGRs, analysts projected that between 2013 and 2018 online grocery sales will grow at a CAGR of 21.1 percent, with traditional offline grocery sales rising by only 3.1 percent during the same period. While Colorado does present us with the best example of potential growth rate of sales in the cannabis industry, this data requires legal and regulatory context. Every marketplace is different and regulatory structures can have dramatic impacts on growth—you cannot expect other marketplaces to replicate the growth experienced in Colorado, unless the regulatory structures are comparable. The following are a number of reasons why Colorado might have seen a higher growth rate than we will see in the newly legal states: Thriving tourism industry bringing in customers, an existing highly competitive medical cannabis industry that was able to transition to adult use, and successful capture of underground market consumers. Each of the new adult use markets have the potential to hit these same criteria—Massachusetts, Maine, California and Nevada (although both Massachusetts and Maine have far smaller and less developed medical cannabis markets)—if they are also able to successfully transition existing market consumers, particularly the most frequent consumers that are likely to be more price conscious and have stronger ties to the existing illicit market. The ability to cannibalize the underground market is largely a question of appropriate pricing and access points—consumers will typically not switch to regulated businesses if they must pay markedly higher prices or travel to inconveniently located dispensaries (California, it should be noted, will allow delivery, which remains illegal in Colorado). But if the newly legal states can get this right, we may be in for several more years of rapid growth across the country. c
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REVIEWs
dispensary highlight
Frosted Leaf 445 Federal Blvd., Denver 6302 E Colfax Ave., Denver 399 S Harrison St., Denver www.frostedleaf.com
How and when did your dispensary start up? We obtained Frosted Leaf in 2013 under new management that completely changed what the dispensary life is to this day. We remodeled and had the first selfserving dispensary in Colorado. What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary? Frosted Leaf is pretty self-explanatory. The trichomes of the beautiful flower speak for themselves. What does your dispensary offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? A self-serving kiosk. If you’re a person who doesn’t like to wait in lines and you know what you want, it’s very simple. We do have very bright sales associates for those who need help finding the right strain for them. You can order online before you arrive, and your 22
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Top-Selling Strain: Blue Dream Top-Selling Concentrate: We have so many, we were voted #1 for “Best Selection of Concentrates” in Colorado Top-Selling Edible: Any of the gummies we provide
products are already set aside for you. We include tax in all of our prices, so you won’t ever be surprised by extra taxing. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? We started Frosted Leaf before recreational marijuana was legal. The biggest change was seeing our customer base grow. Since recreational marijuana, we’ve see a lot of new faces that come back to us again, day after day. We would like see our customer base grow even larger. Our customers are why we are here, and we plan to make sure everyone gets exactly what they need whether it’s for pain, illness or pleasure. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? . . . Biggest joys? Our biggest challenges would be the rapid growth in this business. You see dispensaries on every corner now, so sometime’s it’s difficult to adapt to what the next guy over is selling and at what price point. Sometimes demand is high, but we always do what we can to make sure we always have the supply. The biggest joy
is this industry and Frosted Leaf is ever-changing, and we are quick to be the first one’s that make that change whatever it may be. What is the one thing you want customers to know about your dispensary? We are very inviting. We offer a rewards program, in which every $1 you spend you rack up five points. These points can get you awesome rewards, such as discounts for products, flower, edibles. You don’t need to sign anything, just set up an account and every single time you shop, you earn rewards. If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? It takes a lot a work—you need to start with licensing, and start with people you trust in the industry. What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the cannabis community? We hope to make people feel welcome, and give them the opportunity to explore that fact that cannabis is legal in Colorado. c
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REVIEWs
company highlight
Pushing Boundaries RMextracts is dedicated to elevating the quality of cannabis concentrates By Nicole Potter
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ompared to the rest of the country, Colorado cannabis businesses are miles ahead of the competition. Our state, with its many advocates and entrepreneurs, represents a niche of the cannabis community that is difficult to match elsewhere. When it comes to extracts—Colorado could earn an award for offering the best selection of products. While Colorado’s cannabis industry continues to thrive,
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Photos By Katharine Avery
it is companies such as RMextracts that continue to raise the bar. The company is best known for its extracts, which include vapor cartridges, disposable vape pens, live resin as well as other concentrates, all of which are guaranteed to be of the highest possible purity. CULTURE spoke with RMextract’s Senior Vice President Katharine Avery about the company’s history and continued success in the Colorado cannabis industry.
It all began with Dr. Malik M. Hasan, a well-known neurologist who, according to Avery “was intrigued in the richness of the biologically active molecules in cannabis which are effective in a large number of neurological disorders such as seizures, pain, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke, head injury, headaches and a number of others.” RMextracts is actually a subsidiary of NuVue Pharma, a company that was founded in Pueblo two years ago. As founder of NuVue Pharma, Dr. Hasan set out to produce highquality research grade cannabis oil that could be used both for human consumers and animals. In connection with NuVue Pharma, RMextracts has experienced a great deal of success, with a reliable team and the right know-how to produce high-quality products. “RMextracts is a team of artists and scientists whose enthusiasm for the process is seen in our final product,” Avery said. RMextracts gears its products towards experienced consumers seeking high-quality and effective cannabis concentrates. “Currently, we are mainly producing THCA Crystals and Terp Sauce, products that are sought after in the market place by connoisseurs. Our Royal Jelly is a mixture of crystals and sauce made from live material,” Avery said. “If you can imagine a product with a more rich terpene profile than Live Resin, that is what we are delivering. Our ability to produce mass quantities, while maintaining the quality, allows us to price our product affordably,”
Avery said. RMextracts has near-perfected the products it creates, and like all businesses seeks to continue expansion and growth. While other companies might worry about making enough money to get by, Avery considers the biggest roadblock for the company as simply “deciding what product to develop next.” Avery noted that the
RMextracts 4740 Dillon Dr., Pueblo rmextracts.com
“Being a research-focused company, our goal is to further unlock the treasure trove of molecules in cannabis, and develop and identify molecular structures that are beneficial to specific diseases and disorders.” cannabis business landscape is everchanging, so the team at RMextracts is always keeping their fingers on the pulse of what’s becoming popular by constantly researching which avenue to pursue next. “Being a research-focused company, our goal is to further unlock the treasure trove of molecules in cannabis, and develop and identify molecular structures that are beneficial to specific diseases and disorders. And of course continue to provide the consumers with high quality concentrates at an affordable price,” Avery said. As the cannabis industry continues to thrive, consumers will continue to look toward the growth of companies like RMextracts. c
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REVIEWs
strain & concentrate
Ghost Train Haze Sugar Wax by Denver Dab Co.
Available at: Green Man Cannabis in Denver.
If every dab looked and tasted like this one, we would probably be convinced to consume it for the rest of our lives. Ghost Train Haze (GTH) Sugar Wax from Denver Dab Co. was a delicious treat that we wouldn’t mind consuming on a daily basis. Crossed between Ghost OG and Neville’s Wreck, this wax was a gorgeous vibrant orangish-amber color, with a waxy texture that had a nice wet sugary look. Its smell was extremely terpy on the nose, which followed through with notes of sweet and sour lemon with sandalwood notes, indicative of limonene terps. The wax itself was a good consistency and easy to work with using just our fingers. It produced a delicious and smooth hit, which is probably a result of a 96-hour purging process. The taste reminded reviewers of lime Skittles. Within moments of the first hit, we felt uplifted and motivated to go do something. Ghost Train Haze Sugar Wax produced cerebral effects but also a nice body buzz and increased appetite.
Available at: The Herbal Cure in Denver.
Original New York City Diesel New York City is a city of opportunity—it’s the city that never sleeps, and it’s the city that gets noteworthy strains named in its honor. Much like the “Big Apple,” the Original New York City Diesel (ONYCD) strain from The Herbal Cure doesn’t disappoint. Just like New York City itself, this makes you feel both relaxed, comfortably at home and also ready to take on the world. As a 60/40 hybrid, we definitely felt the indica-dominant traits that affect the body, creating a warm blanket of calmness within. That being said, we weren’t unproductive after consuming ONYCD. Most individuals avoid smoking indicas during the daytime, but they also need a strain to relax and melt into the couch after a long day of work. The ONYCD is a cross between Chem ’91 and ’91 Skunk VA, which creates a great balance of both worlds. Subtle gas undertones of classic Diesel traits are reminiscent of days passed.
Luca Brasi x Sour Diesel #12 by #HASH
Available at: LivWell Enlightened Health.
Don’t be intimidated by this concentrate for its Luca Brasi namesake, which was first penned in The Godfather. When Vito Corleone needed someone taken out, he brought it Luca Brasi, so you can bet this concentrate was effective at taking out pain or any other physical opponents reviewers were enduring. Overall, the cross of Luca Brasi x Sour Diesel #12 makes for a very strong concentrate that produced a great body effect. This wax from #HASH had a nice clear, light yellow color. Its consistency compares to petroleum jelly but wasn’t overly sticky to work with. The terpenes put off a mild cherry scent with an accompanying smell of earthy metals. We tasted bright citrus notes on the exhale. Two hits in, we felt full body relaxation that you would get from both heavy Sour D on its own, so combined with the strength of Luca Brasi, this concentrate produced quite a heavy body buzz.
Available at: Quality Choice Alternative Care Center in Colorado Springs.
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Jet Fuel If the name is any indication, Jet Fuel is the kind of strain that produces an uplifting effect that figuratively propels you into the stratosphere. This particular strain, a cross between Aspen OG x High Country Diesel, comes in the form of decently-sized, densely-formed nugs that sparkled in the light with orange hairs and flecks of purple. The first hit had a subtle diesel taste and each hit following was smooth to the last one. Reviewers noted nothing but positive effects from this strong sativa-dominant strain. Its effect was clear and motivational, allowing us to focus on the tasks we needed to get done, rather than cloud our thoughts, which sativas can do sometimes. If you’re one of those people who love to consume cannabis and feel inspired to clean, you will be pleased to find yourself effortlessly organizing and tidying your home. If you find yourself in Colorado Springs, stop by Quality Choice Alternative Care Center and snag some Jet Fuel to enhance your day.
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REVIEWs
For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
1. HYDROLOGY9 We all could all use a crash course in hydrology. The HYDROLOGY9 liquid filtration vaporizer by CLOUDIOUS9 could very well be the pinnacle of flawless design and engineering execution in a vaporizer product. A microchip-controlled temperature feature utilizes a chip that can sense when the temperature is falling and quickly adjust the temperature back to normal. Its patent-pending “Tunnel Tube” filtration system facilitates smoother, cleaner draws and lowers carcinogen intake. HYDROLOGY9’s LED light indicator is located inside the water chamber, which lights up the liquid in the container in color for a bubbly ethereal effect. Its heat distribution system is also patent pending, a feature rarely found among vaporizer products. Price: $250 MORE INFORMATION: www.cloudious9.com 2. Chameleon Color Tones Not everyone was born a Leonardo da Vinci—some of us need a little more assistance when it comes to getting creative. Look no further than your friends at Chameleon Color Tones. These revolutionary pens encompass the dying trend of ombre-everything and make it relevant again. Available in a seemingly endless variety of colors, these pens will make coloring the doodles of your adult coloring book all the more relaxing. However, we can’t promise your artwork will have the same lasting impression as “Mona Lisa” and her famous expression. PRICE: $26.99+ MORE INFOrmation: store.chameleonpens.com 30
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3. Powerleaf+ Outdoor Solar Panel Charger In 2017, our dependence on a power source to charge our phones is like a baby’s umbilical cord—it’s impossible to live without it. That’s why developers came up with this three-panel solar panel charger system that enables consumers to never run out of battery power. It comes with a USB port to charge your devices, a jump starter, external batteries and a large 4000mAh power bank. The device features ETFE film coating and laminated dimple technology on the solar panels, which increases solar absorptions by five percent. Now you can feel more secure while outdoors with the advantage of a renewable energy source. Price: $69 MORE INFORMATION: www.flexsolarcells.com 4. Household Package Have the chemical free peace of mind that common cleaning products can’t provide, as you polish, clean and scrub the surfaces around your home using only water. The Household Package is a fine sampling of Norwex’s microfiber products. The package includes a Green EnviroCloth™, a Window Cloth and a Dusting Mitt. The EnviroCloth™ picks up dirt, crumbs and grease with ease. The BacLock™ technology utilizes a micro silver agent to prevent mold and mildew from growing inside the fibers of the cloth after cleaning. Its microfibers have the ability to remove up to 99 percent of bacteria from any surface when following proper care instructions. The package also comes with a Window Cloth that polishes multiple surfaces, and a Dusting Mitt as well. Price: $52.99 + tax MORE INFORMATION: kimcook4827.norwex.biz
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REVIEWs
entertainment
BOOK
Cannabis for Chronic Pain
Release Date: october 27 Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
Dr. Rav Ivker Touchstone
As the dangers of opioids being used to treat chronic pain continue to loom, Dr. Rav Ivker serves a noble purpose with his book Cannabis for Chronic Pain. People who suffer from a variety of pain disorders, from arthritis to Crohn’s disease will find an easy-to-understand guide that will help them consider the benefits of cannabis as a non-addictive medication. Aside from a “cannabis as medicine 101” introduction, this book also goes in depth with chapters on inflammation, low back pain, migraine headaches, menstrual pain, cancer pain, emotional pain and more. Patients everywhere will find this as a useful, trusted source toward living a healthier life with cannabis. (Jacob Cannon)
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GAME
Assassin’s Creed Origins Dev. Ubisoft Montreal Pub. Ubisoft
Ubisoft has been plugging away at Assassin’s Creed games for 10 years now, and the series’ next upcoming title (and 10th installment in the series as well) is rekindling the excitement of visiting the past. Assassin’s Creed Origins (ASO) takes place in ancient Egypt during the rise of Cleopatra’s reign around 49 BCE—complete with horses and camels as the best form of transportation between areas in this open world. Check out the new combat mode that pits players against increasingly challenging waves of enemies while you wonder how to climb stealthily to the top of the local pyramids. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
The Big Sick Dir. Michael Showalter Amazon Studios For decades now, romantic comedies have followed, more or less, the same basic formula, but thankfully, The Big Sick has come to shake things up a bit and breathe new life into the genre. Written by Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani and based on real events that happened to them while they were dating, the film takes viewers on a nuanced, incredibly interesting ride through a truly modern relationship that faces the challenges of everything from dating with different cultural backgrounds to dealing with aggressive illnesses. Featuring incredible performances from Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, The Big Sick is a most definite must-see. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
Cosmic Reawakening Crafteon Self-released If you’re looking for a brutally spooky soundtrack, look no further than Denver’s unique, H.P. Lovecraft-themed black metal band, Crafteon. Entirely inspired by the words of the famed horror author, Crafteon pens dark and haunting anthems. The group’s debut release, Cosmic Reawakening, paints a dark, thematic story with songs like “What the Moon Brings” and “The Colour Out of Space.” It will certainly get listeners in the holiday spirit, whether that means revisiting some of your favorite Lovecraftian tunes or discovering Crafteon’s work for the first time. (Addison HerronWheeler)
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of importance
In celebration of our 100th issue, culture reminisces on inspiring words from cover features and history passed, while remaining forthright in our mission toward cannabis reform
M
ilestones are an important part of life. In the cannabis industry, we measure success in every minor and major event. Our industry’s growth and evolution is improved with every skeptic whose mind is changed, with every medical cannabis patient whose story is told and with every state making progress to decriminalize or legalize cannabis.
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We here at CULTURE have watched this news come and go, and we have reported on those events as they unfolded. Since 2009 when CULTURE Magazine began, we have been, and still remain, a humble publication that promotes truthful information in the industry and covers the most important news in a variety of locations. Now in honoring the arrival of our 100th issue, we’re bringing back the memories and milestones
of the past. Join us as we explore some of CULTURE’s greatest cover stories, examine a timeline of how far cannabis has grown since the first medical cannabis state was established, and delve into a comparison of how much our world has evolved since our first issue in 2009 in comparison to now. If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, it’s that cannabis still is, and always will be, a lifestyle that we all share.
legendary statements to culture over the years Joe Rogan | March 2010 [Cannabis reform is] important to me because when I was younger, I had the wrong idea about pot. I had this misconception that pot made you stupid and lazy. But it turns out that those people were just stupid and lazy. Pot won’t enlighten you if you are lazy.”
Melissa Etheridge | August 2010 Cannabis during chemotherapy was just a lifesaver. It was a pain reliever; it gave me my appetite back; it settled my stomach from all the gastric napalm going on inside of me. And it also brings a lot of clarity to understanding what disease is. The benefits go on and on and on and on.”
Willie Nelson
September 2011 I remember reading a book called The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer, and in there he said a lot of great things. And one of them was that stress is the biggest killer on the planet, and the best medicine for stress is marijuana. And I know that to be a fact. I’ve done a lot of experimenting with it, and I know for a fact that it is good for stress.”
Margaret Cho September 2010
I think people should use marijuana instead of alcohol. I think it’s better for you, health-wise. It’s the least harmful drug around. I think alcohol is far more destructive. There’s just this stigma around [cannabis]; that there’s something wrong with it or it’s a gateway. But, truly alcohol is worst of all. I don’t know, people who use pot, to me, are often peaceful, creative and insightful.”
Wiz Khalifa April 2011
[My relationship with cannabis] is not just a musical thing, not just a creative thing. I just like to be in that zone. And it helps me just do everything. I’m not dependent on it. But pot just plays a huge roll in the everyday mechanics of my life. It totally keeps me grounded.” CultureMagazine.com
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Bill Maher January 2012
You know, first of all, I think people think I smoke a lot more pot than I do. I’m just not a connoisseur. I know that people are into the sativa and the indica. I know that one is the more upper and one is the more relaxing one. To me it’s all the same. It works. I know people have different reactions to marijuana. Some people it makes sleepy and some people it makes paranoid. And then there’s the kind of person who it kind of like wakes them up—and I’m that kind of person. And any kind of marijuana will do that.”
Lily Tomlin October 2012
I just don’t get it. I don’t know how we can have one law [on medical cannabis] and the feds can have another, and can come in and do whatever they want to do.”
Roseanne Barr May 2012
[The crackdown on medical cannabis] makes me furious, because that’s cracking down on sick people. What kind of a psychopathic theory is that? The thought of this country as a bully country, and that really makes me angry, that it only picks countries to attack that have no army, only blames the poor for what rich people do. They don’t pay taxes, we never talk about that, but the poor, they always blame people at the bottom rung other than the top. They always go after the sick, the widows and the orphans. That’s whose retirement they cut. Our government is in control of psychopathic bullies.”
Kevin Smith May 2013
Cheech and Chong April 2012
The reason pot is illegal because it’s so good and hemp products are so good, it’s environmentally friendly. So you have the plastics industry that lobbied against it. Then you’ve got the pharmaceutical companies lobbying against making pot legal. You’re buying sleeping aids and being killed like Whitney Houston on pharmaceuticals that are dangerous. Here’s an herb that helps with arthritis, that helps with cancer, that slows MS. It really is a Godgiven plant that we’ve been abusing, not with use but by passing laws against it.” 36
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If you think about the brain as a series of folders that you keep creating, weed for me is like a program that puts them all in order alphabetically and allows you to prioritize what is important. That is how I’ve been able to spin so many plates the last few years. My medicinal problem is that I have problems sleeping, and if that is doing it for somebody who has mild medicinal needs like myself, imagine what it can do for people who have absolute medicinal need. Instead of filling them with yet another synthetic narcotic put together chemically in a lab . . . I don’t want to get all stoner on ya, but there is a reason it just grows naturally.”
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Tenacious D September 2014
And it’s funny now, when we play the songs about getting stoned, I always feel a little bit hypocritical, because, I’m like, ‘I’m not going to smoke a joint with any of you after the show,’ but I still have to sing the songs. I’m in support of legalization absolutely.” - Jack Black
Bob Marley and Family April 2015
Rita Marley: The herb was a spiritual and natural part of life for Bob. As he said, ‘make way for the positive day.’ I think we’re seeing that positive day.”
Sandra Bernhard MAY 2015
Cedella Marley: I think my father just believed it was legal just because everywhere he went he was able to acquire it. Herb for him was a spiritual thing. It made him feel connected to God and the Earth. He believed it was a sacramental thing.”
Stephen Marley: Bob is the perfect frontrunner for the advocacy of marijuana being legal, and use of the plant, in many different ways—medicinal and spiritual. He would be honored to be the champion of the use of marijuana. He would be very proud of this moment.”
Sanjay Gupta | April 2014 We know that cannabis can be a medicine. I’ve seen this now myself. They’ve known this in other countries for a long time. We’ve probably known it here even though we haven’t been as public or as vocal about it. We know cannabis has been used as a medication openly in hospitals in Jerusalem because they believe it’s part of a treatment protocol that extends and improves lives.” 38
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I think that it is important that [cannabis] is legal. I think kids shouldn’t be arrested or thrown in jail for it. I don’t use drugs at all, including cannabis. If you are a casual drinker or a casual smoker, that’s fine.”
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Montel Williams | June 2017 I haven’t gone a day without cannabis in 17 years [ . . . ] It took about three months of getting my saturation level up, to stop being high, and start getting relief. Now, I have it fined-tuned to the point where if I wake up in the middle of the night with pain, I go in the bathroom—I’ve got five pens in there, and I know which is which in the dark. Bang, I’m back to sleep. I’ve got it all dialed in, absolutely.”
AWOLNATION March 2016
I was completely sober until I was 21, when I had my first sip of alcohol and smoked weed for the first time. It seems to be the opposite for most people— they get in trouble at a young age and get caught smoking weed when they are 14, where I was too much of a nerd and was too afraid to try mind-altering stuff. It wasn’t until I was 21 and felt comfortable trying that stuff. It was a great experience, and there are so many benefits to it, obviously . . . ” - Aaron Bruno
Lucy Lawless September 2016
They should legalize it so they know where it’s bloody coming from. Listen, it being available hasn’t made me start smoking [marijuana] any more than legalized homosexual marriage has made me want to turn gay . . . I don’t know what they’re afraid of!”
Chainsmokers | August 2015 It’s crazy. We all did it, but there were a lot of consequences tied to what it meant. In going to Amsterdam—you waited your whole life to come here and just do nothing but smoke weed, legally. It’s really cool, for that fact alone. But, obviously for the medical purposes, it’s great as well.” – Alex Pall 42
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Toby Keith | August 2017 It’s funny [ . . . ] In the legal world they treat it like it’s the devil’s grass, but in the real world I know people who smoke weed who you’d never assume even drink a beer much less smoke. Most people I know that smoke will come home at night, smoke about half of something, and then go lay down and go to bed. It’s just always been funny to me how much weight it carries in the world and how little it actually affects anybody. When I was really young, I had some friends in high school that ended up going to prison over [cannabis], and it was like, ‘Really?!’ They were pretty serious convictions over something that grows out of the ground.”
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Then and Now
Times have changed since CULTURE first hit newsstands in 2009
Americans in Favor of Legalizing Cannabis 40% (2009) 60% (2017) (Source: Gallup/ Quinnipiac)
National Minimum Wage $7.25 (2009) $7.25 (2017) (Source: Department of Labor)
Number of Recreational cannabis States 0 (2009) 8 (2017)
Number of Medical cannabis States 14 (2009) 29 (2017) President of the United States Barack Obama (2009) Donald Trump (2017)
The New York Times Best selling book The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (2009) Seeing Red by Sandra Brown (2017) (Source: The New York Times)
In the News Bill Clinton Negotiates the Release of Journalists in North Korea. (2009) Hurricane Harvey and Irma Ravage Texas and Florida. (2017) Average Home Price $170,000 (2009) $200,700 (2017) (Source: Zillow.com)
Number of states where Gay Marriage is Legal 3 (2009) 50 (2017) 44
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average National rent $842 (2009) $959 (2017) (Source: United States Census)
united States’ National Debt $11.9 trillion (2009) $19.8 trillion (2017) (Source: Department of Treasury)
Most Hot Dogs Eaten in 10 minutes 68 (2009) 72 (2017) (Source: Nathan’s Hot Dogs)
#1 song “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas (2009) “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift (2017) (Source: Billboard)
Highest Paid Athlete Tiger Woods, $100 million (2009) Cristiano Ronaldo, $92 million (2017) (Source: Forbes)
USA Today Print Circulation 1.9 million (2009) 812,971 (2017) (Source: USA Today)
Comic Book Movies with Theatrical Releases 3 (2009) 10 (2017) (Source: IMDB)
Total Box Office of the Fast and Furious Franchise $965.4 Million (2009) $5.134 Billion (2017) (Source: BoxOfficeMojo)
Fastest Marathon ran 2:03:59 (2009) 2:02:57 (2017) (Source: International Association of Athletic Federations)
Cost of Amazon Stock $81.17 (2009) $979.10 (2017) (Source: Nasdaq)
Donkey Kong High Score 1,050,200 (2009) 1,218,000 (2017) (Source: Twin Galaxies)
Number of female CEOs at Fortune 500 Companies 12 (2009) 32 (2017) (Source: Fortune)
Cost of Sears Stock $40.69 (2009) $7.89 (2017) (Source: Nasdaq)
Richest Person Bill Gates, $40 Billion (2009) Bill Gates, $86 Billion (2017) (Source: Forbes)
Most Twitter Followers Ashton Kutcher, 1 million (2009) Katy Perry, 103.7 million (2017) (Source: Twitter)
Average Tuition and Fees in a Private FourYear University for One Academic Year $25,739 (2009) $33,476 (2017) (Source: College Board Annual Survey)
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progressive policies
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November 6 – Proposition 215, which allows patients and their primary caregivers to possess and cultivate cannabis with a physician’s recommendation, took effect after being approved with 56 percent voter approval. Proposition 215 historically made California the first state to establish a medical cannabis program.
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1998
December 3 – Measure 67, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, took effect and legalized medical cannabis. Alaskan voters approved Measure 8, the Alaska Medical Marijuana Act, which legalized medical cannabis. Washington voters approved Initiative 692, the Washington Medical Marijuana Initiative, which legalized medical cannabis.
November 2 – Question 2, Maine Medical Marijuana for Specific Illnesses, which legalized medical cannabis, took effect in Maine.
June 14 – Hawaii’s thenGov. Ben Cayetano signed Act 228, which effectively legalized medical cannabis in the Hawaiian Islands. November 7 – Amendment 20, the Colorado Medical Use of Marijuana, which legalized medical cannabis in Colorado, received approval by voters by a 53.53 percent vote in favor. Nevada voters approved Question 9, although it would take another 15 years before medical cannabis would become available in dispensaries.
July 1 – Vermont legislature approved Senate Bill 76, which took effect upon its passage and effectively legalized medical cannabis. November 2 – Montana voters approved I-148, The Montana Medical Marijuana Allowance Initiative, which effectively legalized medical cannabis.
January 3 – The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act was enacted by Rhode Island legislature and signed into law.
2008 2007 2006
November 5 – San Francisco voters approved Proposition P by a landslide, which called upon the state of California to stop punishing doctors who prescribed medical cannabis. Proposition P would enable the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club, the first public dispensary in the United States.
2000 1999
1996
1991
Our nation’s colorful history of medical and recreational cannabis was shaped by the pioneering activists who risked their well-being to fight for access. The United States’ earliest medical cannabis dispensaries were frequently called “buyers clubs” and were modeled after secret clubs that sold holistic herbal medicines to patients with AIDS. These would eventually evolve into elaborate medical cannabis dispensaries and recreational retail outlets. As we reflect back on the many steps forward we have made in the industry, let us not forget how far we have yet to go.
2004
a historical timeline of cannabis legalization in the U.S.
March 13 – New Mexico legislature passed Senate Bill 523, The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, which legalized medical cannabis.
November 1 – Michigan voters approved Proposal 1, the Michigan Medical Marihuana Initiative, which legalized medical cannabis, but didn’t set up dispensaries.
2012
November 12 – Colorado approved Amendment 64 and Washington approved Initiative 502, making both states the first to legalize recreational cannabis. Many more states would follow suit, and the cannabis movement would never be the same.
February 24 – Alaska’s recreational cannabis sales began following the passage of Measure 8. April 2 – Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed Haleigh’s Hope Act, which legalized CBD oil for epileptic patients. June 1 – Texas then-Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Texas Compassionate Use Act, which legalized CBD oil for patients with epilepsy. June 30 – Louisiana legislature legalized medical cannabis with Senate Bill 143, the Louisiana Therapeutic Marijuana Act. August 1 – The North Carolina Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act, which legalized CBD oil for patients with epilepsy. October 1 – The first day of recreational sales began in Oregon following the passage of Measure 91, the Oregon Legalized Medical Marijuana Initiative.
2016
April 17 – Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 16, making Pennsylvania the 24th state to legalize medical cannabis. The law went into effect May 17. June 9 – Gov. John Kasich signed a bill legalizing medical cannabis in Ohio. The law went into effect September 8. November 9 – Voters in California, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts all approved recreational bills, doubling the amount of states that allow recreational cannabis.
2017
2014
January 1 - Recreational cannabis sales historically begun in Colorado. March 26 – Utah became the first state to legalize low-THC CBD oil only for patients with epilepsy. A handful of other states would follow. May 29 – Minnesota legislature approved Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Research Act, which allowed limited forms of medical cannabis. July 7 – New York became the 23rd state to legalize medical cannabis with the Compassionate Care Act.
January 30 – Maine’s Marijuana Legalization Act took effect, allowing retail outlets to open. April 6 – Senate Bill 386 took effect in West Virginia, which legalized non-smokable forms of medical cannabis including vaporized preparations. April 26 – Indiana’s House Bill 1148 was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb, which legalized CBD preparations for patients with epilepsy. July 1 – Nevada’s recreational cannabis sales began after the implementation of Question 2.
2018
May 13 – Delaware then-Gov. Jack Markell signed Senate Bill 17, The Delaware Medical Marijuana Act, which effectively legalized medical cannabis.
2015
2010
2011
January 18 – New Jersey then-Gov. Jon Corzine approved Senate Bill 119, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which legalized medical cannabis. November 2 – California voters unexpectedly failed to pass Proposition 19. If it had passed, Prop. 19 would have made California the first state to approve recreational cannabis. November 13 – Arizona voters approved Proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Question, by a narrow margin. It marked the third time Arizona has approved medical cannabis, but the first attempts failed to take effect.
January 1 – Recreational cannabis sales are scheduled to commence in California following the passage of Proposition 64. Summer – Maine recreational sales are predicted to begin late, sometime in the summer of 2018.
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K ind
M e ds
Years of Dedication Kind Meds is a female-owned company that has served patients since 2009
We are two medical marijuana patients in the beautiful state of Colorado who started Kind Meds in 2009 after we witnessed first-hand the substandard treatment many patients received when they walked into other stores. Profit had become the paramount factor for many medical dispensaries, and stores were using patients as tools to meet their bottom-line goals. Colorado medical patients were paying top dollar for low-quality cannabis— without acquiring the information they need about which strains relieve which medical symptoms— and Kind Meds grew from a desire to build a new model for medical patients. We understand that without our patients, the medical cannabis industry would not exist— and you’ll see the Kind Meds difference as soon as you walk through the door. Our intimate storefront is entirely owned and operated by women, and we are happy to spend as much time as each individual patient needs
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discussing and explaining the effects of the dozens of topquality strains we carry. Every patient receives one-on-one attention at the bud bar from one of our qualified staff members, who can thoroughly describe the details of our growth and harvesting processes and give thoughtful recommendations for the best cannabis to treat your particular medical condition. And best of all, our cannabis is grown with love and care—then it is reasonably priced, so our patients can take home highquality cannabis without breaking the bank. Come visit us at Kind Meds, and experience the difference yourself. We’re looking forward to serving you! c
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Family First
Customers are always treated as part of the family at Lush Lush is a family-owned and operated Medical Marijuana Center, and we are celebrating our eighth year in the industry. Our goal has always been to provide the best customer service possible while at the same time cultivating the highest quality medicine. With this being said, we have always prized quality over quantity. All of our flower is grown hydroponically 100 percent in-house, and all of our concentrates are processed exclusively from our trim and flower. Operating in a brand new industry can be challenging, because the rules and regulations are constantly changing. While we expect and welcome these changes, as they are a sign of our industry’s legitimacy and continuing evolution, the circumstances make it difficult to plan for the future. However, this can also be advantageous to us as business owners as we can have a voice in shaping policy that we believe will help strengthen the industry. It’s not a good idea to get in this industry for money like so many people have. While cultivating and selling cannabis can be lucrative, you really need to have a passion for the plant and all that entails in order to be successful. There are many cultivators and operators who cut costs in exchange for more profit, 50
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lush
but with cannabis, cutting corners shows. Our future vision as a company is to continue offering medical cannabis patients in Colorado the highest quality medicine and customer care possible. As a familyowned and operated center, we strive to make every patient feel welcome, appreciated and a part of our family. Our love for our patients, combined with our respect and passion for the art of cannabis cultivation, is evident in all of our products. Five years from now we see ourselves running the same business but on a much larger scale, perhaps in other states. As growers, we are only as good as our last harvest. Therefore, it is our goal to compete only with ourselves
in continuing to perfect our craft and constantly strive to integrate new ideas and master new skills. We hope to create a unique center where people feel completely comfortable and as stated before, we want our customers to feel like they are part of our family. But our number one priority is always to give Lush patients affordable access to some of the highest quality medicine in the state. More than ever before the cannabis market is flooded with centers that focus on quantity over quality. With that type of business model the customer loses. We want customers to reap the benefits of living in Colorado by experiencing the quality of cannabis they deserve. c
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Ebbu
Cutting-edge Quality Ebbu is changing the face of cannabis Nestled in the hills of Evergreen, Colorado lies the state-of-the-art laboratory unearthing cannabis innovation that will revolutionize the medical and recreational industries. Ebbu LLC is the leading cannabinoid research and development company. The company was founded by Jon Cooper in 2013 based on one simple idea: creating mainstream cannabis. “It’s funny. I originally did not intend to build a research and development laboratory. I just wanted to create consistent and predictable cannabis products that I would enjoy taking,” explains Ebbu’s Founder and CEO, Jon Cooper. “However, to create consistent and predictable cannabis products, we quickly realized that we needed to invest our time and resources in creating a world class science department. We needed technology that didn’t exist yet.” “Historically, research on the compounds in cannabis and their effects on consumers has been tremendously difficult because of the drug laws,” explains Ebbu’s Chief Scientist Dr. Brian Reid. “There was almost no quantifiable data that we could use. We needed to start at ground zero. Over the last few years, Ebbu has poured most of its resources into building a pharmacology department, including a drug discovery laboratory, a human studies team, and a cutting-edge genetics department. Ebbu’s current research and development team of eleven (scientists) includes four PhD scientists with exactly the right combination of expertise in drug discovery, endocannabinoid research, molecular biology, chemistry, and genetics. “Most people in the cannabis industry have been talking about the entourage effect for years. The industries overwhelming statement is that there is no such thing. But we are running studies that quantifiably demonstrate exactly what the entourage effect is, and how it works,” stated Dr. Reid. In fact, Ebbu has already developed thousands of new formulations that provide particular “feelings” or sensations that were previously unavailable. Many of those formulations are ready for commercial production. However, you can’t buy 52
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these products on the shelf quite yet. “We have, for example, formulated an incredible chill/ relax product. We had originally planned to launch this product under the Ebbu brand. However, we started getting approached by dozens and dozens of other brands who need chill and all the other sensations that we have created. So, we decided to take an “Intel Inside” approach. You will be seeing these formulations hitting the market in many different brands sometime in 2018,” explained Cooper. Besides the “Feelings”, Ebbu’s pharma team has developed some promising prototype formulations which promise to help individuals with anxiety, pain, and sleep. “Through all the data we have been collecting in our studies, we have uncovered many different medical opportunities. We truly believe our formulations will significantly improve the lives of the general public,” stated Dr. Jon Martin, the head of Ebbu’s Psychopharmacology team. In addition to developing a library of first-in-kind formulations, Ebbu has also positioned itself as the leader in cannabis genetics and agriculture. Ebbu’s Chief geneticist, Rob Roscow explains, “Almost all feelings or relief formulations cannot be made by simple mixtures of THC and CBD. You need access to cannabinoids like CBG, CBC, CBDV, etc.” We have already shown that we can increase CBG output in a plant by about 10x and strongly believe we are only a few months away from developing plants that exclusively produce CBG. With our proven results, we should be able to duplicate these results commercially with many other cannabinoids over next year.” “A breakthrough moment for the company is when we realized that we were a cannabinoid company, not a cannabis company. This new point of view allowed us to really step out of the box and re-image the entire industry,” explained Cooper. “A lot of our technology will be starting to hit the market over the next 12 months. It is going to be a very exciting year.” c
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Honest
Honest Marijuana How It All Started
Honest Marijuana opened its doors in 2015, a few years after recreational cannabis was legalized in Colorado. The company immediately saw the need for a top-quality organic alternative to the lowerquality cannabis that was being rushed to the market in the wake of Colorado Amendment 64. That need helped the founders choose a name for their grow operation—Honest Marijuana—and the name was informative about their mission in the nascent cannabis industry. In fact, their mission can be summed up in one simple word—purity. Honest Marijuana strives to provide consumers with the purest cannabis experience on the planet. How do they do this? By using world-class organic growing methods, by pioneering the science of cannabis preservation and freshness, and by leading the way in developing innovative consumption and packaging methods. Honest Marijuana grows all of its cannabis in 100 percent, all-organic soil. The team hand 54
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M a r ijuana
waters water and hand trims all of their plants. And they never use pesticides, chemicals or growth regulators. Because of these practices, Honest Marijuana produces the cleanest, purest and most uncontaminated cannabis plants possible. That means that the company’s consumers can experience the true nature of the cannabis plant without anything getting in the way. The Honest Marijuana mission for purity and quality, above all other things, has inspired the team to develop some unique and innovative products and production methods. Honest Marijuana’s first foray into new territory came when they began producing Honest Blunts. Honest Blunts are the world’s first organic, hemp-wrapped, whole-flower, machine-rolled blunts. Each and every Honest Blunt is 100 percent tobacco-free, is wrapped in an organicprocessed hemp leaf, and only uses the best organic marijuana that Honest Marijuana’s many years of experience and know-how can grow. That means that an Honest Blunt is completely cannabis, not some percentage
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of this and some percentage of that. At Honest Marijuana, it’s all about purity. And the quest for purity goes beyond just the team’s growing methods and all-natural ingredient. It has even motivated them to push the cuttingedge of preservation and perish-ability further than any company before it. Honest Marijuana’s distinct combination of nitrogen preservation and air-tight canning to ensure that each and every Honest Marijuana product stays fresh for years to come. That means that every time you open an Honest Marijuana product, it’s in the exact condition it was meant to be. In just a few short years, the Honest Marijuana Company has gone from one among many, to THE one among many thanks to its commitment to excellence, purity and preservation. Whether you choose an Honest Blunt, a sativa or indica flower, or an Honest Concentrate, what you see is what you get. And what you get is the cleanest, purest, most organic cannabis on the market, exactly as mother nature intended. That’s why Honest Marijuana is confident in its assertion that you haven’t experienced marijuana until you’ve experienced it the honest way. c
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L iv W e ll
Be Enlightened
LivWell Enlightened Health has grown to exponential heights through customer care
LivWell Enlightened Health is one of the nation’s leading cannabis companies, with 14 locations in Colorado and our first out-of-state location opening soon in Oregon. But we are more than just a cannabis business. We are farmers, inventors, advocates, friends and family. We own every step of the process that puts the finest cannabis on our shelves. From our grow, where our farmers hand-cultivate our cannabis to exacting standards, to our kitchen, where our extraction technicians and culinary artists craft delicious infused products, and to our retail stores, where our friendly, knowledgeable and highly educated budtenders help our customers find the perfect products for every taste and preference, we emphasize quality throughout every aspect of our business. Beginning as a single medical dispensary in 2009, LivWell Enlightened Health provides its patients and customers with the best value, quality and variety of cannabis products including flower, concentrates, topicals, edibles, accessories and more. Our team of innovative farmers and scientists grow more than 40 strains of cannabis to meet the evolving tastes of our customers, and we are constantly developing new strains for commercial production. We also carry a wide variety of products from leading brands throughout the industry, as well as a full selection of glass and accessories to meet all of our customers’ cannabis needs. Our goal is to be your one-stop-shop for all things cannabis. We employ more than 600 people throughout our business, from farmers and budtenders to PhD’s and compliance officers. All of our employees enjoy higher-thanindustry average salaries and benefits, including 100 percent
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employer-paid healthcare and 401(k) plans, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we know that excellent customer service and quality cannabis products begin with happy employees. Our budtenders undergo rigorous training through LivWell University to become the most knowledgeable and helpful budtenders in the industry and advocates of responsible use. This twoweek training, which includes classroom, online and instore components, covers all aspects of cannabis retail, from the science of the endocannabinoid system to the intricacies of completing a compliant transaction. We further bolster our employees’ knowledge with Responsible Vendor
Training provided by SellSMaRT cannabis trainers. Our employees work hard to ensure our customers have the information they need to feel confident, comfortable and knowledgeable about their purchases. Giving back to the community is part of our company’s DNA. That’s why we founded LivWell Cares, our company’s philanthropic arm. LivWell Cares is designed to work hand-inhand with the communities where we operate both as good neighbors and as fully-involved partners in community development. Whether it’s educating first responders on the endocannabinoid system and the layout of commercial cannabis grows, donating a portion of our 4/20 proceeds to Colorado veterans organizations, or effectively giving away more than $1,600,000 worth of high cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis to veterans and medical marijuana patients in 2016, we are committed to helping however we can. Because LivWell Cares. Some people choose to live. We choose to LivWell. For more information, including a list of locations, visit www.livwell.com. c
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DRAGON Originals
In the early days for Colorado medical marijuana, Dragon Caviar was born. Small custom batches were sold doorto-door, to a limited number of medical dispensaries. Soon, there was a growing legion of Dragon Caviar fans. That was 2011, when Herbal Medical Institute created the original “Dragon” brands: Dragon Caviar - The original, and a Colorado favorite! Top-shelf, strain specific flower drenched in hash oil and topped with kief. One of the highest potencies on the market! Dragon Oils - Ethanol extracted, high THC potency oils, Gold, Black with CBD, RSO and Dragon
Elixirs - Vitamin and mineral rich cocktails with the healing properties of THC and CBD in combination with mangosteen, goji berry, grape seed, and ionic minerals. Dragon products quickly became patient favorites, and HMI quickly became a patientfriendly resource. DRAGON Original’s mission is to provide premium quality cannabis products at a fair price for both recreational cannabis enthusiasts and medical marijuana patients. Today, HMI/DRAGON Originals serves hundreds of medical and recreational dispensaries, which in turn provide Dragon products to thousands of people.
Kaya
Kaya began with three best friends from Boulder who shared a passion for their community, a taste for high quality cannabis, and a dream to run a dispensary that had high quality cannabis that was affordable for the company’s friends and family. Back then, the company was called “Southwest Alternative Care.” As time went on, the founders needed a name that fit a little better with who they were, so they settled on “Kaya.” First and foremost, it means “beautiful,” but it’s also Jamaican slang for marijuana. Kaya is a a craft marijuana company—it
grows all of its product in small batches, which are then personally hand-trimmed, and go through an extended cure. Kaya develops its own genetics and strives to create new and unique strains for every batch. Kaya’s leadership team includes a former eagle scout, a scientist, a former nonprofit director and a World Series Poker champ (well, second place). Colorado is Kaya’s home, and the team loves doing business here. Kaya will always remain a locally-owned and operated shop, because the staff enjoys meeting their customers and getting to know the community.
Keef Brands
Founded in 2010 by brothers Erik and Kelly Knutson (founder & CEO of Isolate Extraction Systems, Inc.) along with a strong core team that has been with them from the beginning, Keef Brands has established itself as an industry leader in innovation and quality. The company’s story begins in Boulder with the creation of one the first cannabis infused beverage lines—Keef Cola. In 2012, Keef Brands launched OilStix Technology. The goal is simple—the purest and cleanest cannabis extract paired with the best available personal vaporization technology. Starting with only the highest
quality strain specific cannabis—OilStix Technology offers both pre-filled cartridges and applicators. The year 2017 marked yet another milestone for Keef Brands with the introduction of Keef Sparking—the world’s first zero calorie cannabis infused sparkling water. With zero sugar and natural flavor, Keef Sparking aims to be the perfect option for those seeking alternatives to social alcohol consumption. Staying true to its goal of continued innovation—Keef Brands will be launching yet another revolutionary beverage in the next few months called Keef Life.
Lightshade
Established in 2011, Lightshade is one of the most reputable, high-quality cannabis dispensaries in Denver, serving medical and adult customers at seven locations in the Denver metro area, including Aurora and Lakewood. Lightshade also grows over 20 different strains of high-quality flower in state-of-the-art cultivation facilities. Lightshade also focuses on corporate social responsibility by remaining active in the community through volunteering. Lightshade also contributed $10,000 and helped raise an additional $15,000 for The Gathering Place, which provides valuable services for homeless
women and children. Lightshade is not part of the homeless problem, but part of the solution. Beyond community outreach, Lightshade’s passion for cannabis and its benefits comes from education. This helps them provide the best possible experience and products for their customers. Lightshade is currently the only dispensary in Colorado that hosts quarterly vendor nights as an opportunity for vendors and budtenders to connect and engage with one another. Lightshade offers a huge selection of cannabis products, including flower, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, topicals and merchandise.
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Mary Jane Medicinals
“The proof is in the plant!” A natural and holistic approach to health and well-being has always been a passion of Dahlia Mertens, the founder of Mary Jane’s Medicinals. Back in 2009, Dahlia was working as a massage therapist in the idyllic mountain town of Telluride. She began infusing massage oil with cannabis and was amazed at the feedback she would get from her clients. They repeatedly reported back to her of chronic pain and health issues being alleviated or even healed with the use of her
oil. The topical application of cannabis was little known at the time, so she hit the road and started knocking on dispensary doors to get the good word out! Eight years later her products are now found in over 350 stores across Colorado, and are helping many people to deal with their pain and health issues in a natural, gentle and effective way. “It is very exciting and rewarding sharing this information with people. This plant based medicine should be available to all who can use it.”
Quality Choice
Quality Choice was born from a lifelong passion to provide the people of Colorado with the highest quality cannabis available. The company was established during the summer of 2009 and became the 63rd medical dispensary in the state of Colorado. In addition to its current location on Boulder Street in Colorado Springs, Quality Choice is opening a second Springs location on Academy and Constitution this fall. As a family owned and operated facility, Quality Choice started off down a long, slow road with a dream, approximately five employees and one small grow. Quality Choice now employs over 20 budtenders, cultivators and supervisors, has two storefronts and operates five grows—the
largest being 52,500 square feet. Quality Choice’s in-house flower has been so popular, the demand was becoming overwhelming, and the company could not keep up. In order to fix this issue, Quality Choice drastically expanded its grow operations from approximately 10,000 square feet to nearly 100,000 square feet, and they’re not stopping there! Quality Choice is also expanding into the recreational side of things. Both of the company’s storefronts boast beautiful, highly sought-after flower, potent extracts processed by the most reputable companies, and a variety of delicious edibles, fast-acting topicals, tinctures and other products for your every need.
Smokin Gun Apothecary
The Smokin Gun Apothecary promotes the end of prohibition worldwide. This company wants to inspire consumers in the hopes they will develop a voice, speak out against oppressive drug laws, put a stop to prohibition entirely and push to regain our country’s liberty. The culture, design, aesthetic and a comfortable shopping experience of Smokin Gun Apothecary cannot be found elsewhere. Anyone who visits the Smokin Gun will immediately notice it is truly a one-of-a-kind dispensary. It is the only dispensary that is also a “Drug War”
museum. Customers can walk through the speakeasy-styled hidden doorway, back in time to 1870, five years before the first drug laws were passed and the dawn of prohibition began. Customers can pick out their pre-rolled joints inside “The Joint.” The mural behind the counter is a tribute to the major players involved in the “War on Drugs.” There is so much competition in the Colorado market. It’s not hard to get lost in this sea of dispensaries, so Smokin Gun Apothecary strives to stay ahead of the curve by using an ever-evolving comprehensive marketing mix.
Healing Canna
Healing Canna was established in 2009. The dispensary opened with the intent to revolutionize the cannabis industry, with an emphasis on quality and professionalism. Over the past eight years, Healing Canna has made it their mission to provide an exceptional and complete patient experience. Healing Canna’s quality to cost ratio is among the best in the industry! The dispensary features a patient viewable grow-room which offers a truly breathtaking and unique inside view of its ladies in bloom. Its medicine is thoughtfully cultivated without the use of harsh chemicals or pesticides. The team also carefully hand
trims and cures their product for optimal results. Only house-grown flower populates the shelves at Healing Canna, alongside a wide array of concentrates extracted from the same quality medicine. This dispensary also offers the largest variety of CBD products in town, some of which are entirely THC removed. Third-party concentrates, edibles, drinks, tinctures and topical assortments are also available. For clean, quality medicine without the hefty price tag, check out Healing Canna, which is conveniently located in the heart of Colorado Springs, and is easily accessible from North Academy or Platte Avenue.
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Alpine Infusions
Craft
DANK
Since 2012, Alpine Infusions has handcrafted each one of the company’s delicious edibles from original recipes. With the exception of Alpine Infusions’ Terrapin Turtle Bites (an eight-pack of 10mg caramels), all of the company’s products are available in single-serving doses, because the founders believe in setting people up for a manageable and pleasant experience. From novice to daily consumers, you can feel confident in Alpine Infusions’ edibles for a delicious and reliable cannabis solution. Alpine Infusions’ products are made with good old-fashioned cannabutter,
and are infused with [organic soil]-grown trim. This means no solvents, and what the company considers a clearer psychoactive effect. Products are hybrid infused, and can offer a range of benefits; whether you’re seeking pain relief, sleep aid, funnier times with friends, or a groovier music experience. Based in Telluride, Alpine Infusions is made up of a group of passionate and driven men and women who find inspiration in the mountains on a daily basis, and they believe that cannabis can not only provide medical benefits, but can also enhance our interactions with our surroundings.
Craft has been creating a premier concentrate since 2015 so when it comes to live resin nothing is taken more seriously than preserving terpene profiles, maintaining peak levels of THC and creating a final extract that is full cannabinoid goodness. We’re able to carefully select genetics, focus on high yielding strains and pick out
plants known for their terpene and cannabinoid spectrums. Rest assured whether you’re buying PHO or Live Resin from Craft the final product will be true to its’ consistency, ultra rich in flavor, terpenes and is aimed to cure. At Craft we pride ourselves on being able to produce not only a premium product but also offering all our products at an affordable price point.
At DANK, you will find quality cannabis, affordable prices and knowledgeable staff. DANK is your Keeping Kind dispensary in Denver, which seeks to elevate, educate and celebrate all that is special about this plant. From farm to bowl, DANK hand-crafts more than 30 top-shelf strains. Its operation celebrates eight years of delivering safe, potent and consistent flower to people across the globe. As an early license holder, DANK places great importance on its responsibility
to the public to be compliant in every way, running its operation professionally and with high standards. DANK grows the flowers it sells. Enjoy a wide selection of bud and endless choices of edibles, concentrates, drinks and topicals. Connoisseurs should look to the VIP shelf for high potency strains, cultivating five strains over 30 percent THC. Trust in DANK to be your one-stop-shop. Everyone is welcomed like family and treated with the same kindness each and every visit.
“It’s What’s Inside That Counts.” O.penVAPE is on a mission to normalize and change perceptions of cannabis by providing premium CO2 extracted vaporizers, made for your everyday life. Started in 2012, O.penVAPE just may be responsible for the popularization of the cannabis vaporizer and can be recognized by
its signature sleek, discreet and convenient form factor. The O.penVAPE brand offers something for everyone—from the novice to the cannasseur looking for same-strain, same-batch cannabis terpenes. Each of our pre-filled cartridges are made in small batches, strain-specific and backed by our “Friend for Life” Lifetime Warranty.
Mary’s believes that the best path to a full and active life starts with an open mind. Grounded in cutting-edge science and rooted in century-old medicinal knowledge, Mary’s products bring together the best of modern technology with natural components to offer high quality, accurately dosed alternatives for proactive support. Simply put, Mary’s is transforming how people view and utilize hemp. Pulling
together a team of chemists, botanists and nutritionists, Mary’s has created an unrivaled line of products designed to provide an effective alternative for health and wellness. Every batch of product is sourced from United States growers and laboratory tested for quality, accuracy and consistency. Building a strong national reputation as an industry leader requires unparalleled commitment and passion.
O.penVAPE
Mary’s Nutritionals
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Carving by Tim Pate Pumpkins and location courtesy of The Maze and The Pumpkin Patch in Sauvie Island, Oregon.Â
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By Ed Rosenthal ATTENTION: I am interrupting my regularly scheduled column— the conclusion of “Summer Experiments”—to bring you this special article on harvesting big plants—fast. Anyone who has harvested a moderately large garden knows what a challenge it can be. It usually starts off joyously, but it becomes a chore before it’s over. You can reduce picking to a fraction of the time using some of the new techniques that I have developed. The tools required cost less than an ounce, so the technology is quite affordable. Cannabis cultivation has been a hands-on process. Most of the time its farmers and gardeners have resisted mechanization. The first tools that were offered were various types of manicuring appliances, first hand trimmers such as Bonsai Scissors and then the twister type machines. These machines proved that bud cleaning could be mechanized. When I was writing my new book, Marijuana Harvest, my goal was to show readers the most efficient ways to harvest while maintaining quality. The very first part of the harvest is picking the
plant, so I decided to start there and will discuss it today. Picking is the act of separating the bud from the plant. A person might spend 15 minutes dissembling one of the 15-foot giants being grown in the northwest. Besides the time, there’s a lot of physical labor involved. Using power tools cuts both time and labor to a fraction versus cutting manually. Here are a few of them. The Mini-Hedge Trimmer The mini hedge trimmer comes with two blades. The “grass shearer” attachment is used to leaf plants prior to harvest, that is, removing the fan leaves about a week before harvest. This opens the buds to sunlight being blocked by these outer leaves. The shearer doesn’t always trim entire leaves off, but it cuts enough away to get sunlight to the ripening buds. The hedge trimmer blade can be
“The first tools that were offered were various types of manicuring appliances, first hand trimmers such as Bonsai Scissors and then the twister type machines.”
used to remove individual colas from the outside of the plant. The trimmers are light-weight, easy to direct and very accurate. They can also be used to remove most branches. The Electric Clipper The electric clipper handles branches as with diameter up to about three-quarters of an inch. They are slightly slower than using a manual clipper when you first start. However, after spending some time clipping, your hand may get tired, strained or sore. Using this rechargeable battery operated tool, you’ll still be merrily clipping along. The Hedge Trimmer Hedge trimmers make short work out of long branches. Working from the top, going down, aim the blades so it cuts the branches at the node, where they meet the stem. Cutting parallel to it, they fall into neat piles. To cut branches from bushy plants, start from below and cut upward. In a short time the plant will be ready to hang or process. Hedge trimmers usually sport 18-inch blades or longer, although a few models come with 12-inch blades. I find the shorter bladed tools more convenient to use. The whole process outlined here is explained fully in the “Picking” chapter of my book Marijuana Harvest. Watch a video demonstration of the technique at Edrosenthal.com.” c
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Grass shearer blade of mini hedge trimmer easily trims a plant quickly.
The author cutting small buds from a bushy plant using an upward stroke of a long bladed hedge trimmer.
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Colas fall onto a tarp unharmed as the hedge trimmer slices them from the plant.
Electric clipper doesn’t tire after an hour’s work. Internal battery must eventually be charged, though. Two clippers’ are better—one charges and the other attacks.
Mini-hedge trimmer clipping puny branch. It can clip a 1/2-3/4 inch diameter branch.
Mini-hedge trimmer is lightweight and ergonomic.
Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.
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Age: 32 Condition/Illness:
Chronic back injury When did you start using medical cannabis? A close friend of mine suggested that I try cannabis for pain relief and inflammation associated with hockey injuries. Within two days, I was feeling better than I had in years and started to wean myself off of prescription medications. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, I was prescribed a daily dose of Vicodin and Flexural, as well as daily chiropractor visits. My doctor told me to take each as needed, which you can imagine led to taking these pills every three to four hours since I was in constant pain. I gained weight, became lazy and lost an all-around desire to excel or succeed in life. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? The lack of availability for everyone who needs it and the stigma that is still attached to cannabis use are the largest barriers medical patients face. Magazines like CULTURE help to educate those who are not familiar with the healing benefits that
cannabis can provide. I will admit, when someone first suggested I use cannabis to help my sports injuries, I was skeptical and thought it was just for recreational use. But after feeling the release of chronic pain and gaining the ability to get back to day-today life without the pain and pain killer haze, I immediately joined the movement. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Again, education is key during any movement. I believe it’s important to know your grower. What are their motives? Why do they do what they do? What inspires them to help others? Ask many questions and do your research. There are hundreds and hundreds of cases that reflect how lives (both children and adults) have been changed because of cannabis being used as medicine. History has shown us that we don’t always know what’s best. When something new and groundbreaking presents itself, it’s important to have an open mind and take a moment to really understand the benefits it supplies. Yes, people need medicine, but we need a medicine that doesn’t come with countless side effects that are detrimental or fatal to our health. c
Are you an medical cannabis patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
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Treats designed by MommyBones Custom Creations
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Menu: Centennial Cupcakes Chewy Sugar Cookies Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Sticks
What better way to commemorate CULTURE’s 100th issue than with an assortment of sweet cannabisinfused recipes to make? There is no better thing to pair with the feelings of achievement than a soft and delicious cupcake, with frosting so creamy you’ll think it was spun from silk. Not into soft and spongy cake? Go ahead and treat your taste buds to a crisp and salty pretzel, lavishly dipped in cannabis-infused chocolate—giving you the perfect mix of sweet and salty. For those who want to land somewhere in the middle, there is always the tried and true gold standard for pastries—sugar cookies. Join us in marking this joyous occasion by baking some delicious treats that will bring the celebration to your dessert table. Whatever your sweet tooth calls out for, there’s always room for it here. Plus, at a party everything is calorie-free . . . right?
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culture growing 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3 tablespoons cannabutter 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup milk Pinch of salt 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate cupcakes (optional)
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
6. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 16 minutes.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
7. Once done, let the cupcakes cool off for at least 30 minutes.
4. Beat the cannabutter and sugar in a large bowl until it is a whipped at a fluffy consistency, then stir in eggs and vanilla.
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
8. If desired, decorate the cupcakes with piping tools and star tips, add decorative pearls, fondant medallions or edible gold leaf flakes.
Buttercream Frosting Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature) 5 tablespoons skim milk 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate frosting (optional)
Instructions: 1. Carefully beat in butter, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is a fluffy consistency. 2. Pour milk and continue to beat for about three more minutes. 3. For chocolate frosting, add 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture.
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Ingredients:
IN
Makes 16 cupcakes
5. Slowly add in dry ingredient mixture and milk while beating the mixture at a slow to moderate speed.
Instructions:
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Sugar Cookie Icing Ingredients: 1 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoons milk
Chewy Sugar Cookies Makes two dozen cookies Ingredients: 1/4 cup cannabutter 3/4 cup unsalted butter
Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with spray or butter. 2. Soften cannabutter and butter or let warm to room temperature.
1 cup sugar
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1 egg 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Pinch of salt
3. Whip cannabutter, butter and sugar until fluffy and light. 4. Stir in egg and vanilla and combine while slowly adding in flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whip for about one minute
until the mixture has combined. 5. Divide dough in half. Wrap it in waxed paper. Refrigerate for two hours. 6. Sprinkle flour on cutting board. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. 7. Bake about 10-12 minutes for a chewy cookie consistency. 8. Allow 30 minutes for the cookies to cool. Add icing and additional dĂŠcor as desired.
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1. Lay out several sheets of wax paper.
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Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Sticks Makes 24 sticks Ingredients: 1 (12-ounce) package of pretzel sticks 12 ounces milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 2 tablespoons cannabutter
2. Melt chocolate chips at a medium/ low temperature in a double boiler, stirring often. Stir in cannabutter until melted. 3. Once the chocolate mixture has melted, carefully dip each rod into the mixture about 2/3 of the way down. 4. Place the dipped pretzels onto wax paper, leaving an inch
2 teaspoons light corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Food coloring Instructions: 1. Beat powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl. 2. Stir in corn syrup and vanilla extract. 3. Add food coloring if desired.
of space between each rod. As the rods are drying, melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler, stirring often. Dip a fork into the white chocolate mixture and drizzle the melted chocolate over the rods, using a smooth, long hand motion. 5. If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts, sprinkles or candies on dipped rods or roll them in sprinkles on a plate for a different effect. Use a decorative vase or mug to display.
Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY— INEXPLICABLE The Adair family of Deerfield Beach, Florida, were startled awake on July 15 by the sound of something meaty crashing onto their roof. When they investigated, they found two packages of Italian pork sausage in the side yard, and three more packages still on the roof. The sausages were in bags marked with the name of a land-clearing company in Alabama. Austin Adair called the company to inquire about the wayward sausages, but “the guy had no idea what I was talking about and probably thought I was crazy,” he said, and the mystery remains unsolved. “I would love to know what really happened,” said Jennie Adair, “because it’s just so, so odd.” THE NAKED TRUTH Summers are hot in Lawrence, Kansas, and Christopher Steven Carlson, 34, of Riley took advantage of the warm temperatures on July 30 to stroll down a sidewalk in the busy college town in his birthday suit—twice. Police first arrested Carlson around 2 p.m. in downtown Lawrence for indecent exposure, after which he paid his $500 fine and was released. He caught a taxi from the Douglas County Jail back to the downtown area, where he stiffed the 76
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driver, left his clothes in the car and resumed his in-the-buff constitutional. Local business owner Meg Heriford said: “Our customers were not alarmed. It was more like, ‘Hey, there’s a naked guy.’” Nakedness does leave one a bit vulnerable, as Travis Tingler, 32, found out on July 16 as he stood unclothed outside his girlfriend’s house in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, shouting and threatening to hurt the people inside. When police arrived, they tried and failed to get Tingler back into his pants, so they handcuffed him. As they struggled to put him in the police car, Tingler picked up a lighter off the ground, and a probe from an officer’s stun gun struck the lighter, igniting Tingler’s chest and beard hairs. An officer was able to pat the fire out. THE CONTINUING CRISIS Out of eight candidates for Detroit mayor in the Aug. 8 primary, half were convicted felons, the Detroit News reported. Three women and one man have convictions including gun crimes and assault with intent to commit murder. “Black marks on your record show you have lived a little and have overcome some challenges,” opined political consultant Greg Bowens. Michigan law allows convicted felons to vote and run for office unless they are currently incarcerated, or if their offenses are fraud-related or constitute a breach of public trust. (Update: None of the felons advanced to the general election.)
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