ISSUE #1
KINE HEARTS
BUILDING A COMMUNITY AND NETWORK FOR CANNABIS PATIENTS AUTUMN 2020
Premier Sponsor
THE 2020 ISSUES, ISSUE Worldwide Pandemic, Racism, Protests and Riots, Economic Chaos, Wildfires and a Presidential Election: 2020 Hindsight and Vision
CONDITION OF THE MONTH : ANXIETY COVID-19 & CANNABIS | COOKING WITH CANNABIS
INTERVIEW WITH PA SENATOR, DAYLIN LEACH
Letter from the Founder
CAROL A. BLACK
Building a Community and Network for Cannabis Patients I am President and CEO of Carol Black and Associates, LLC, an independent insurance agency that offers Health, Life, Medicare, Medicaid, Accident, Disability, Home and Auto insurance. I have been in the health and insurance industry for over 20 years, providing the greater Pittsburgh area with trustworthy products and reliable services. I utilize my talents to empower the most vulnerable demographics; senior citizens, lowincome, mentally challenged, minorities and veterans. I received my formal education from Point Park University. During that time, I received several awards like, "the National Dean's List. the National Collegiate Communications Arts Award, among other awards and certifications. When the PA ACT 16 law was passed, I knew I had to get accurate and detailed information for myself and my clients. I attended the inaugural "World Medical Cannabis Conference and Expo" in April of 2017, organized and presented by the Compassionate Certification Centers. (CCC) After hearing many inspiring testimonials of current cannabis patients, I envisioned the immediate impact cannabis could have on my target demographic. I also identified the impact cannabis could have had on my sister, Irene Parham, who passed away due to an opioid addiction. I decided to focus on transforming my client’s entire healthcare profile by rescuing them from the unavoidable side effects of prescription medication. I acknowledged that cannabis could be the catalyst to a world free of the dependency of pharmaceuticals while also being a contributor to the ever-growing health and wellness industry. Encouraged by my experience while present at the “World Medical Cannabis Conference and Expo� and in conjunction with (CCC) in October 2017, I was motivated to establish the first, free Cannabis Health and Wellness Fair (CHAWF). This event focused solely on the questions and concerns of cannabis patients and advocates alike. Little did I know that it would have such an overwhelming response. What I thought would draw 200-300 people, actually turned into well-over 3,000. I realized that people needed education on, not only the legitimate medical uses of marijuana and hemp, but also their legal rights and responsibilities if they use it, and no one was doing this for FREE. So I did it!
Building on the success of my first CHAWF, I was commissioned to head my non-profit organization, provided by (CCC), 4Human Kind. This opened the door for me to start and produce the first minority-owned cannabis patient-focused magazine entitled Kine Hearts Magazine (KHM). In 2018. With the support of our premier sponsors "Compassionate Certifications Centers" KHM was formed to bring all aspects of therapeutic, holistic and cannabis-based services and information into one publication. My goal is to be a reference guide to cannabis patients as well as those on the front lines of cannabis literacy. We had tremendous success with our first year and a half, we decided to delay monthly production to launch Kine Hearts Media. Kine Hearts Magazine began as a Pennsylvania community, not-for-profit cannabis magazine, and grew into a publication with a national presence. With our continued community outreach, we touched the hearts of people in the cannabis and hemp industry, including our current partner 4th Disciple of Wu-Tang. Kine Hearts Magazine gained an international presence, with reads in Africa Canada and Morocco. We achieved a presence in states where we were not physically present. So, I gathered a team of like-minded individuals to help me launch Kine Hearts Media, which will include the magazine, (digital and print) Kine Hearts TV, and Radio with celebrity guests. It was a no-brainer to bring on Carolyn Scott as a consultant, who has now become our Managing Editor and chief writer. Carolyn entered the cannabis industry in 2017 as a marketing strategist and educator. I had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn during my first event in 2017. Carolyn was gracious enough to lend a much needed helping hand after seeing the overwhelming response at the event. Carolyn with her knowledge and personalty took the initiative to help out. We have built a solid relationship and I trust her immensely. She is exactly what we need in this industry. My goal is to cultivate an atmosphere that will serve as an informational hub to edify those with limited knowledge and resources. We are honored to walk with you whether you've been using cannabis for decades or are figuring out if you can begin - or you're anywhere in between. Thank you for reading.
Carol A. Black KINE HEARTS MEDIA / AUTUMN 2020
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KINE HEARTS
CONTENTS 5
Meet the Editors
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KHM STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY
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Kine Hearts Media statement of inequality, injustice and discriminations
The Cannabis Vote Trump Vs. Biden
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INTERVIEW with SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH Much Has Been Done Much is Still to Be Done
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Condition of the Month
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COVID-19 AND CANNABIS
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Anxiety
CANNA-GET-EDUCATED With Physical Therapist Felicia Greenfield -Blau By Carolyn Scott Foods that supplement By Annie Clark
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CANNA-GET-A-WITNESS
PATIENT OF THE MONTH: Anxiety with Annie Clark
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CBD'D UP:
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COOKING WITH CANNABIS CELEBRITY CHEF OLIVIA MILES
A Look at Pharma, Herbal, & Cannabis Options for Anxiety WITH
featuring Zach Scott, "Chef Nubbs", shares his intense canna-butter
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Announcing Persons of Faith and Kine Hearts Kids Announcing our new column BY, FOR AND ABOUT KIDS with Annie Clark
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MUSIC & ARTS: The Black Dragon on The New Creative Economy Tsehaitu Abbe to Artists Everywhere
KINE HEARTS/ AUTUMN 2020
KINE HEARTS
MEET THE EDITORS CAROL BLACK, Founder, CEO, Editor-in-Chief President and CEO of Carol Black and Associates, LLC., an independent insurance agency, licensed in Life, Health, Auto, Home, Series 6 & 63. Carol has been in the health and insurance industry for over 20 years, providing the greater Pittsburgh area with trustworthy products and reliable services. Carol utilizes her talents to empower the most vulnerable demographics, senior citizens, low-income, mentally challenged, minorities and veterans. Carol received her formal education from Point Park University where she received numerous awards like National Dean's List, The National Collegiate Communications Arts Award, All American Scholar Award, Published in the National Library of Poetry and many other awards and professional certifications.
Introducing CAROLYN SCOTT, Managing Editor and Writer Carolyn received a degree in Secondary Education to teach English, then went to Seminary, earning a Master's degree in Christian Theology and Counseling. She spent 10 years working with teens and families. But after a personal tragedy, she redirected her career to her other passion for anatomy and holistic health, spending the next 10 years as a massage therapist, personal trainer, and nutrition counselor. When she had children, she needed a schedule that matched child care hours, so she shifted again and entered the business world, where she was quickly recognized as a valuable strategic thinker. Carolyn was recruited to the cannabis industry in 2017 when PA was rolling out its medical marijuana program. You can follow her on all of the Kine Hearts social media, @KineHeartsMedia and @CBDEDU
Kine Hearts Kids
ANNIE CLARK, Editor and Writer Annie Clark is a Pennsylvania raised writer, musician artist and life-long foodie. Trained in an ancillary medical profession she quit her technical career, moved to California and spent twenty years developing her talents in the arts. She showed found object art, teaching art in a private school, finding her musical soul and owning the restaurant of her dreams. Her writing talents led to a stint on Grassroots, the last alternative newspaper in Berkeley and a commissioned play. As a last resort to the high cost of living in the Bay Area she moved onto a boat and followed another dream to live on the water. Now back in Pennsylvania, she can be found singing the Blues at open mics and working within the Cannabis industry as a patient advocate and consultant. KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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Now Accepting Submissions! PATIENT TESTIMONIES We're always looking for testimonies about any condition, but we are actively seeking testimonies about the following conditions: Cancer, PTSD, Sports Injuries, Concussion, IBS Depression, Epilepsy, Autism, Parkinson's, Post Surgical Pain/Recovery, Terminal Illness, or Incarceration for Medicating (any condition)
PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS Have you been studying the use of cannabis in general or for a specific patient group? Become an expert contributor or let us interview you.
CHEFS "COOKING WITH CANNABIS" Looking for recipes & stories from Chefs who use cannabis PEOPLE OF FAITH Are you a cannabis user whose faith (any religion) is central to your life? Contact us for an interview, or submit your story.
LAWYERS/LEGAL ADVOCATES Looking for articles pertaining to law issues of interest to the cannabis user, caretaker or doctor? Can be in regard to your state, or national law.
ARTISTS & MUSICIANS What's your story? creatives to share
Looking for cannabis using
GOT A QUESTION? Send it in! We have access to experts nationwide to get it answered.
Submissions@kineheartsmedia.com KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
WAYS TO VOTE 1. IF YOU REGISTER TO VOTE BY MAIL, CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT!!! AND, MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO INSURE IT GETS COUNTED! 2. VOTE IN PERSON ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD. MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR STATE ID OR A UTILITY BILL, "JUST IN CASE".
THAT SOUNDS EASY, BUT HOW CAN YOU DO ALL THOSE THINGS?
GO TO: WWW.VOTE.GOV EVERY STATE HAS ITS OWN RULES, BUT THEY'RE ALL ON THAT WEBSITE! T UE S DA Y
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STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY
Kine Hearts Media stands in solidarity with the movement to end the murders of “so-called” black and brown PEOPLE by the hands of the police and to end systematic racism. Over the last couple of months, the United States of America has witnessed an uncomfortable uprising pouring over into their streets. Kine Hearts Media refuses to call this uprising, riots or protest. It is a much needed uprising.
Derek Chauvin lynched George Floyd on national TV, while posing for his photo op, while officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao acted as accomplices. This lynching has become normalized by police enforcement and the court system. There has been a WAR on “so-called” PEOPLE of color for decades. In the early 1900's Bills were blocked, ignored, or dismissed that would stop the lynching of innocent “socalled” black PEOPLE. There has been over 4,000 documented lynching of “so-called” black PEOPLE. Nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced to Congress during the first half of the 20th Century. 90 members of the U.S. Senate agreed to the Senate Resolution 39, 109th Congress, June 13, 2005, to apologize to the victims of lynching and the descendants of those victims for the failure of the Senate to enact anti-lynching legislation. After over 100 years of unsuccessful legislative efforts, it's time for Congress to act. Every victim’s character had been demonized to justify the killing of innocent blood. The Police killed at least 104 unarmed “so-called” black PEOPLE in 2015, nearly twice each week. There were remarks made by the officer concerning drug use before the lynching Mr. Floyd. This ongoing excuse of suspected drug possession would be used to justify such a lynching.
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The Drug War Policy has been used to murder “socalled” black and brown PEOPLE for decades. The smell of fictitious marijuana has caused our young PEOPLE their lives with felonies markers tied to their names for life or a permanent tombstone marker. Most minorities have or will have experienced a dangerous interaction with police, the criminal justice system, including the cannabis industry that has made billions of dollars of the blood, sweat and tears of “socalled” black and brown PEOPLE. That encounter could mean a death sentence at any moment. Cannabis prohibition has led to minorities being grossly arrested for marijuana possession over our white counterparts for the same possession. We need to hold accountable all officers who committed violent crimes hold our elected officials accountable and shift public dollars to building businesses and end the war on drugs. It's time for the cannabis industry to invest in rebuilding the damage done to the “socalled” PEOPLE of color. The theme of this whole statement is, minorities are PEOPLE. We live in the most powerful country in the world, and the world is watching. "We the PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution." We are looking to punish the runaway slave patrol for their continued lynching. We have to hold the courts accountable by voting, filling out the census correctly, by correcting our status. We are NOT a COLOR “We Are The PEOPLE” The Whole, Kine Hearts Media #WeThePEOPLE See video on Youtube @ Kine Hearts Media
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
INTRODUCING: THE MINORITY HEMP ASSOCIATION
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Minority Hemp Association is an African American, woman-owned minority organization.
MISSION STATEMENT To bring Hemp and Agricultural Education, Awareness, Business, and Networking Opportunity to Minorities in underserved communities
Who are we? Minority Hemp Association (MHA) is a minority-operated association, operated by African Americans, people of color, women, veterans, and disabled persons. We provide leadership, mentors in hemp, sales, agriculture, manufacturing, and processing. We are committed to uncovering systemic racism within the hemp and agriculture industry. What We Do Provide Hemp & Agricultural education to patients and Medical Practitioners Agricultural, Cannabis, and Hemp Business Consulting, Networking Opportunities, Education, Marketing, and other tools. A forum through which Minorities can share and support one another Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion training to companies We are creating a Farm Inequality and Injustice Program geared towards helping those convicted of cannabis-related crimes to find work in the cannabis industry Certification Programs Connecting organizations searching for minority-owned businesses and experts of color for investment opportunities, webinars, and speakers BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: We bring suppliers, farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and start-up businesses together. We provide networking opportunities (in person, virtual and referral) Business start-up consulting, News particularly focused on the Hemp and Agricultural industries, and Marketing & PR for your business HEALTH PRACTIONER PORTAL: For Physicians or medical/health practitioners. We provide visibility on our website, Networking and Teaching Opportunities, from a podium or from a pen, Special Physician learning portals, Health Practitioner learning portals and teaching opportunities PATIENT EDUCATION: (healthy alternatives, or want to educate themselves) ADVOCACY: Find out what's happening in your state, and how you can join us in advocating for the further legalization and implementation of best practices for the hemp industry, both locally and federally.
www.MinorityHempAssociation.org 10
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: 2020 VISION
I don't make New Year's resolutions. But, I do make New Year's "Intentions." I pick a word that I believe will define my year and attempt to align my thinking and actions to that goal. In 2020, I latched on to the evident "CLEAR VISION" as my mantra. I'd had some years of shifting that resulted in many changes, questions, self-doubt... and evolution. I finally felt that I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, and believed 2020 would bring fresh vision and clear direction. Does that sound like you? Well, little did we know!! Not to be a 'captain obvious,' but what the hell? I feel like the light I saw was not the end of the tunnel, but rather, another locomotive! "Flu" turned into a worldwide pandemic with widespread quarantines, concerts and pro sports seasons canceled, unemployment skyrocketed, politicians don't seem to know their asses from their elbows, police killings on the rise‌ well, that's been happening for a very long time. It finally came into focus, and we can no longer bury our heads about it.
Photo Angus Gray
A pent up people exploded into the streets. Peace by day violence by night. A very fight for our lives. And to top it all off, Mother Nature had a temper tantrum on America's west coast, sending lightning bolts to set it ablaze. Oh, and stupid people had to add their mark... a blue one to be exact... and spark more fires to tell the world they were having a baby boy. Stop it already! Cut a cake on FB live if you must. But for the love of all that is holy, stop using explosives! "I can't breathe" has a TRIPLE, meaning as people are put on ventilators, George Floyd was held to the ground, and the American West Coast is choking on smoke from the fires. But I digress. Clearly, this year has been a lot to handle. But here's the thing: when all the bad things happen, how we respond shows us who we are. Do we fight, lay down, or flee? Do we stand up, work harder, and rally - or settle in defeat? Do we come together or sow division? Do we lend a helping hand and comfort the brokenhearted - or do we kick someone when they're down? ~Carolyn Scott Haslam, Managing Editor
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Photo Patrick Perkins
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CANNABIS VOTE
CANNABIS AND TH E 2020 ELECTIONS Photo: Herbadea Berlin
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HOW YOUR PRESIDENTIAL VOTE CAN AFFECT THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IN AMERICA The presidential election presents us with very different options for who will do what on behalf of cannabis. Here's what we know for certain about our candidates' positions. DONALD TRUMP and MIKE PENCE Legalization of Cannabis: In his public statements, President Trump has been characteristically vague about cannabis legalization. But his administration's actions have made it absolutely clear that the Trump White House wants nothing to do with legalization." ~Leafly.com Other sources spout hope that Trump could change his position. Still, for the most part, all sources agree that Trump has given no indication that he has any intention of supporting any legalization efforts at a federal level. However, he says he will not interfere with states' legalization. This stance makes no room for medical research (since MMJ is a schedule 1 drug making its use illegal in medical research) and continues to stranglehold the industry's ability to do banking. JOE BIDEN and KAMALA HARRIS Though Biden was a strict "war on drugs" supporter in the '90's, he, like most Americans, has shifted. He has publicly stated that he wants to federally decriminalize marijuana, pass measures that help expunge non-violent marijuana criminal offenses, and reclassify marijuana as a schedule 2 drug. This would enable legal, medical studies to proceed and ease banking issues for cannabis businesses. He also said that if scientific research proves MMJ safe and useful, he'd seek to legalize it further. Â Harris also has a tough-on-marijuana history. However, in the last 5 years, she has dramatically shifted in both word and deed. Here's how: 2015: She came out supporting federal decriminalization but did not endorse "recreational use" legalization in CA. 2017: She called out Trump's Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, and demanded that he stop "going after grandmas medicinal marijuana". 2018: Cosponsored Cory Booker's Marijuana Justice Act, calling for federal legalization. And joined Orin Hatch in demanding Sessions to stop blocking efforts to conduct MMJ medical research. 2019: Introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act She wrote, "We need to expunge non-violent marijuana-related offenses from the records of the millions of people who have been arrested and incarcerated so they can get on with their lives." *KHM does not endorse political parties. Informational purposes only. KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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HOW YOUR LOCAL VOTE CAN AFFECT THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IN AMERICA
YOUR LOCAL VOTE
Photo Joey Csunyo
7 states have Marijuana legalization issues on their ballot. If you live in one of these states YOUR vote is essential! ARIZONA - Smart & Safe Arizona MISSISSIPPI - I-190 and CI-118 MONTANA - Initiative 65 and Initiative 65A NEBRASKA - Nebraska Medical Cannabis Constitutional Amendment NEW JERSEY - New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment (S2703/A4497) OREGON - IP 44: Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act (note- this is not just about cannabis.) SOUTH DAKOTA - IM 26 (medical) Amendment A (recreational) Even if your state doesnt have a measure on the ballot, who you vote into office affects your canna future, locally and federally. Though Democrats are typically more pro-cannabis than Republicans, it is good to make sure that's the case in your area. NORML has an amazing tool that tells you where every candidate stands. You can search YOUR candidates by using your zip code! It can be found here:
https://vote.norml.org KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH
CANNABIS CRUSADER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, ENVIRONMENTALIST, LOVER OF DOGS BY
As a mom who is in love with my children, I am often moved to weeping when I see other mothers caring for children who have extreme ailments and diseases. But compassion is not limited to moms. Senator Daylin Leach (D) was also stricken with deep compassion upon such an encounter. But he was not just moved to tears, he was moved to action.
“I became involved in this crusade because I met a woman named Christine Brann whose son has Dravet's Syndrome, a very severe form of Epilepsy. He was reacting badly to the drugs he was on. She had heard about a strain of medical cannabis being used in Colorado which showed remarkable results. She desperately wanted to give her child a chance to try it, but it was illegal in PA. I told her I would do everything humanly possible to get a bill to legalize cannabis passed”. It was in 2013 that Christine contacted Senator Leach. The Senator representing her district told her about Senator Leach because he had tried to get some traction on a Medical Marijuana (MMJ) bill in
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2010. Her story relit Leach's fire. He and his team began studying MMJ programs in other states, and he searched for a Republican co-sponsor for a PA bill. To his dismay, the Republicans he asked usually replied that they hoped he’d get the bill passed, but that they could not co-sponsor it. But, one day he received a call from Mike Folmer. Leach had never approached Folmer because he was “one of the most conservative republicans” in the PA Senate. But, Senator Folmer had been diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of cancer. He had become aware of the benefits of cannabis with cancer, and agreed to cosponsor the bill as long as Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was a qualifying condition for a medical card. Though it took personal tragedy to move an extremely “conservative” Republican to join the cannabis cause publicly, Senator Folmer became an enthusiastic and ardent advocate for the bill. Soon, the bill was a resounding bi-partisan cooperative. And, when Governor Wolf signed the bill into law, Wolf remarked, "This is really a great day for Pennsylvania" and went on to explain how it showed that Republicans and Democrats "can work together" and that the government really can be responsive to people with a cause. OCTOBER
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After the bill passed, the Senators hosted a conference where lawmakers from across the country came together at St. Joes University to discuss the best way to regulate the bill. Senator Leach explains, “if a bill is 50 pages, the regulations could be 2,000 pages, and we wanted to make sure we really did this right”. Today, the PA MMJ program (“though not perfect”) is considered one of the best in the country. And it became one of the fastest-growing programs in the country as well. “We’re way ahead of where we thought we’d be. We have more patients and more certified doctors than we thought we’d have at this point. The program is going extremely well. Of course, there are going to be glitches, but we address them and try to constantly improve the execution of the program”. So was getting the bill passed the end of Daylin’s Cannabis Crusade? Not at all. "There is more work to be done." First, Senator Leach and his office are putting pressure on the Department of Health to finally implement a segment of PA Act 16. It designates a portion of the tax income from the MMJ program to be given to patients in poverty to help subsidize the expense of legal cannabis since it is a medicine not covered by health insurance. To date, this has not been executed because the state says that money is needed to pay a debt incurred in establishing security protocols (seed to sale tracking software). But, the first dispensary opened for business in the first quarter of 2018. Now, 2 years later, is all that money still tied up paying back this debt?
You can call your locally elected officials and let them know that you want this portion of Act 16 executed. It is an election year, and candidates need to know what voters want! There is also a lot of work to be done in regards to Law enforcement issues. “Some local entities are not entirely caught up to what the state is doing, and people are still receiving violations for probation and parole if they test positive, even if they’re legal patients. Our office has helped 30-40 patients across the state. Many, not even in my jurisdiction, which is not being allowed to use their medicine. And, we’re working with the public defender in Montgomery County,” Senator Leach explained. His office is also working with labor unions to educate them on cannabis and help them think through how to respond to their members who have medical cannabis cards. As for workplace concerns, Leach and his office seek to educate employers on the difference between intoxication and medicating. He believes that employers should not be allowed to test for cannabis unless a worker is impaired on the job. If you have symptoms of intoxication, it becomes relevant, but otherwise, your medication (or even “what you do on the weekends”) is none of your employer’s concern. “Obviously intoxication on the job is not acceptable, Even with medical use”. However, most patients figure out how to dose so that they are functional, not intoxicated. So, just ‘testing positive’ should not be grounds for firing, mainly because the cannabis stays in someone’s system for days, long after any high may have been experienced. This is a legitimate issue of concern for employers and employees alike. Senator Leach is committed to helping organizations walk through figuring out how to manage a workplace where employees may be using cannabis, especially in manual labor industries, where employees are often using cannabis to deal with job-related pain instead of opioids.
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OPIOIDS vs CANNABIS Pennsylvania was the first state to put Opioid addiction on the list of conditions for which someone can receive an MMJ card. According to the CDC, there were 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2017. Of those, 47,600 were caused by opioids (both legally prescribed and illicitly obtained). And, a large portion of illegal opioid users became addicted while using a legal pain prescription. Many people find that cannabis does a far superior job for pain relief than opioids and with nearly no adverse side effects. And, there is a growing body of scientific research that shows that cannabis can help reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal for those who are already using them and want to come off of them. AN "ADULT USE" BILL? When I travel around the country, people are always raving about the Pennsylvania program, so we're happy we got that mostly right. So, now we're trying to do the same with the Adult Use Bill…, and we want to make sure that we transition to an Adult Use program in a way that is fair to the Medical program and enables it to survive". Once again, Senator Leach has been meeting with people across the country to examine best practices and learn from things that have been poorly done to not repeat those mistakes. There are 2 bills seeking support. House Bill 1899 was introduced by Pennsylvania Rep. David Delloso, which suggests that cannabis for adult use should be sold through our wine and spirits stores. Senator Leach does not think that this would be a good idea. "It would kill the possibility of starting a new industry in Pennsylvania." The other, co-sponsored by Senator Leach, is Senate Bill 350. This bill has 'robust provisions' allowing for small business development and social equity. In Leach's bill, licenses would be issued, more like a beer distributor, a private business instead of a state-run store. This gives entrepreneurs of all races and locations across the state the opportunity to own a cannabis business and be innovative in their industry. Again, please contact your state representatives to let them know how you feel about the matter!
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Cannabis is not Senator Leach's only concern. He is passionate about environmental and civil rights issues of all kinds. He has introduced legislation to ban fracking, which has been destroying PA environments and causing health issues. He is also seeking to establish both an anti-discrimination law and a hate crime law to protect the LGBTQ community. At this point, PA is the only North Eastern state without such laws. Though they exist for race and gender discrimination, they do not exist on behalf of the LGBTQ community. So, if an employer wants to fire someone for being gay, or a landlord wants to deny housing to someone who is transgender, in the state of Pennsylvania, they still can. But, cannabis issues are, in fact, a significant concern for Daylin because they are at the heart of many other enormous problems, especially justice issues. "For a variety of reasons, this is a hugely significant issue. We are losing taxable income that is going to other states, or feeding an illegal marketplace as long as we don't have an adult-use bill. We have a mass incarceration problem with many cannabis offenders in jail, who should be given a medical cannabis card instead. In fact, arrests are up in the suburbs, since Philly and Pittsburgh have decriminalized because what someone can possess in Philly, can be cause for incarceration if they leave city limits." Leach's office has hosted expungement clinics for other topics and hosts them for cannabisrelated issues, as soon as an Adult Use bill is passed. Other states with Adult Use laws in place have begun expungement programs for cannabis offenders. In Senator Leach's opinion, the proposition for expungement in the Pennsylvania Adult Use Bill is the most aggressive country. Other states allow people to request expungement through a legal process, but it can be expensive because it requires a lawyer to do so. Senate Bill 350 puts the burden of responsibility on the District Attorneys to go back through their cases and take the lead on expungement. This will save people from having to hire lawyers to get their records cleared. 22
Overall, Senator Leach impresses me because he is not a disconnected politician who talks one thing and lives another. He does not just talk about justice issues. He genuinely cares about them - so much so that he helps people who don’t even live in his district; He helps people who cannot even vote for him. His crusade for cannabis that started with his conversation with one mom in pain over her child. He has helped people fight the courts on cannabis convictions who live across the state, and he is pushing for legislature to save our environment and help people whose health is being affected halfway across the state. He fights for civil rights of all kinds: women’s rights (especially in the workplace), race rights, LGBTQ rights … if you’re a human, he cares that you’re treated fairly and with respect. And, in fact, he cares that our animals are treated humanely as well. He is easy to talk with, empathetic, Relatable, funny, and compassionate. And, I, for one, am glad he is in office. Leaders like Senator Leach give me hope. Not all politicians are duplicitous and selfabsorbed. Some good ones still care about us not just to get a vote, but because they actually, genuinely care.
NOTE: Since this interview was conducted, Senator Leach lost his primary race for the 2020 election. In a brief follow-up, he said that he feels that there is more work left for him to do. He does not know what his next steps will be, but knowing the kind of person he is, I'd wager that he'll continue doing things that make this world better.
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Anxiety is a complicated. Anxiety is a mix of biology and psychology, a blend of nature and nurture. For example, someone may become anxious due to a stimulus like public speaking, crossing over a bridge, or a social encounter. Many people who suffer from anxiety are aware of the things that trigger stress for them. Sometimes, the panic "comes out of nowhere," in which case the stimulus is hidden from the person's consciousness. Anxiety has physical components that can include increased heart rate, chest constriction, and difficulty breathing. It may also include altered thinking either chaotic thoughts, rapid thoughts, or hyper-focus. These are all basically physiological fight-or-flight responses. But there's more. Anxiety often involves negative thoughts that cycle out of control. Most people experience intrusive thoughts from time to time. That's when something offensive or even horrific pops into your head 'out of nowhere.' But, someone suffering from anxiety cannot chase the thoughts away. For example, fleeting thought about a bridge collapsing while driving across it may turn into an entire visualization of the bridge crumbling, their car falling into a river… the windows not opening ... the seatbelt not unlocking …everything to the worst possible end. The visualization is almost instant, but then cannot be dismissed. It stays at the forefront of the person's mind like torture and then creates a physiological fight-or-flight response. The heart rate becomes rapid, breathing may become constricted, muscles tighten, and panic sets in. For some, this can turn into a panic attack that feels like a heart attack or such fright that they 'shut down' in retreat or have tantrum-like behavior. One is a flight response, the other is a fight response. 26
To effectively address Anxiety, a person needs to realize that they can use medication to address the physical components. Still, they also need to address their thought patterns that contribute to the Anxiety. There are various forms of mental therapies that a person can use. There is traditional talk-treatment with a psychologist or personal counselor. There are also mindfulness and meditation techniques that can be learned and practiced. The thought life of Anxiety is complicated because it is different for each person. Anxiety can sneak up upon them after a tragedy or after a severely tricky period in their lives. Other people were literally trained to think in a stressed and fearful way by their upbringing if their parent(s) or guardian struggled with Anxiety. For example, if you have a terrified parent of the world, they verbalize that fear and pass that way of thinking on to you. In this case, this person’s brain is literally trained to be fearful. On top of all of this, many people also have thoughts of shame or guilt associated with their Anxiety because they think they “should be stronger.” Or, they may have anger, dismay, or guilt because they are a ‘person of faith’ and believe that if only their faith in God was more robust, they would not be suffering from Anxiety. All of these factors enter into a tornado where the thought-life increases the negative physical response … which increases the negative thoughts… which increases the physical response. Both medications and therapy are options, and often both are used together. Many people have discovered that cannabis works better than prescribed drugs. Though THC has been known to aggravate anxiety. However, CBD is quite effective in soothing it, both preventatively and at its onset.
How can someone break out of the cycle?
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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WHAT MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS WANT TO KNOW BY ANNIE CLARK
CANNABISÂ & COVID-19
In December 2019, our life as we knew it ended with the diagnosis of a contagious coronavirus, COVID-19. Faced with an unseen enemy, potentially carried around by ourselves, friends and family we now live in a world of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, social-distancing and stressful uncertainty. Medical Cannabis patients have raised serious questions about the use of their medicine of choice. 28
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
How COVID 19 Affects Our Lungs
COVID-19 directly attacks our airways and lungs. When the virus attaches to the lining of airways it causes inflammation which in turn produces fluid which coats the lining. As the disease progresses the coating thickens, the lungs fill with fluid, and air doesn’t get to the lung tissue where oxygen is exchanged. It is unpredictable, not everyone gets it and some people may have no symptoms while others can experience mild symptoms while still others need hospitalization and a ventilator to survive. Though it is not confirmed by scientific study, mounting evidence suggests that smokers are developing severe complications from COVID-19. For patients using medical marijuana and are smoking to achieve relief for an existing condition, there are some things to consider.
Author’s note: By permission, this article contains excerpts from a FAQ offered to patients by Dr. Junella Chin, a New York City physician who treats adults and children in her integrative/holistic medical practice. Dr. Chin is co-author of the book Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness with Aliza Sherman, and is co-founder of Medical Cannabis Mentor, an on-line educational platform. Dr. Chin is registered with the New York State Medical Cannabis Program.
Should COVID-19 patients abstain from all Cannabis?
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No, I do not believe you have to abstain from cannabis entirely, but you should explore alternatives to inhaling. Cannabis has medicinal and therapeutic benefits. It is antiinflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-pain, anti-viral and immune modulating. Cannabinoids(CBD), have also been shown to decrease overall inflammation in the body, which means it’s one less thing for your body to fight against.
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Should Cannabis users refrain from smoking? I have been encouraging patients and adult use consumers to consider oral forms of cannabis: tinctures, capsules, edibles, and drinkables instead of inhaled forms of cannabis. Avoiding lung irritation is the first line of defense against this illness. Any inhaled substance may affect the respiratory system.
Is vaping less dangerous than smoking?
The long-term effects of vaping aren’t entirely known, but not all vaporizers are the same. If using vape pens, watch out for cartridges that are thinned with PEG (polyethylene glycol)-it produces hazardous chemical by-products which destroy lung tissue or Vitamin E acetate which has been linked to lung injury and chemical pneumonia. Most, if not all, of the tainted products were found in the illegal market. If you use a flower vaporizer, the key to a healthier draw is temperature control-a joint burns at around 950 degrees. Vaporization occurs at 350-400 degrees-the sweet spot is around 390 degrees. That temperature variance makes a big difference if you want to protect fragile lung tissue. KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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The bottom line? Smoking cannabis raises the risk of COVID-19 complications. Since the smoke can irritate nasal passages and respiratory system, you are weakening your immune defenses and increasing your susceptibility to any infection. During this time, the safer and smarter thing to do is minimize smoked or vaped cannabis in favor of edibles, drinkables, and tinctures.
ln response to several direct questions, Dr. Chin submitted the following response: The Washington Post did an analysis across the United Staes, finding that countries which are majority black or African American, have had three times the rate of infections and nearly six times the death rate for Covid-19 compared to counties that are primarily white. Preliminary research suggests that certain underlying health conditions which include diabetes and heart disease, increase the risk that a person with Covid-19 will experience a severe infection. This is why new patients are coming to me as well. They want to help diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain), inflammation, musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, insomnia and depression from being quarantined at home. Patients are looking at MMJ as a natural alternative. Many elective surgeries (hip and knee) are being postponed indefinitely. Patients need to manage pain and inflammation and cannabis can be a possible option�. Dr. Chin’s entire FAQ can be read on Leafly at www.leafly.com.
Photo Mustafa Omar
From all of us at Kine Hearts, we hope that you wear a mask when you leave your house, and find ways to get healthier every day! 30
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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Canna-Get-Educated What foods or supplements may boost immune function? By Annie Clark
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KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
What foods or supplements may boost immune function? Brazil nuts are the richest known source of selenium which is essential for your thyroid and immunes system. Be careful not to over consume because you can get selenium toxicity-just 2 nuts per day. Spirulina is blue-green algae rich in protein, vitamins, and antioxidants to boost the immune system and helps protect against allergic reactions. It has antiviral and anticancer properties. Vitamin D3 has been shown in dozens of clinical studies (pubmed.gov) to as effective prevention for all strains of flu New studies are showing that Vit D also has positive effects on Covid-19. Clinical trials show effects at levels of 20005000 iu per day for adults and half that for children. And, recommend Vit D supplementation autumn through spring. Goji berries are packed with antioxidants and known for their immune-enhancing qualities and ability to fight harmful free radicals and inflammation. They are full of vitamins A&C. CBD!! CBD has been proven in clinical studies to have powerful anti-viral properties. In fact, such studies have claimed that there may not be any other pharmaceutical nor herb as powerful agains viruses as CBD. REDUCE SUGAR INTAKE! Clinical studies have shown that eating sugar decreases your immune function for about 3 hours! In other words, after eating a donut or coffee cake or a high sugar cereal... or drinking a soda or slurpee or your favorite late with a "pump" or two of caramel syrup, your body is less capable of fighting any bacteria or viruses that you come in contact with, for about 3 hours after eating it. Furthermore, sugar causes an "inflammatory response" - which is exactly what we are trying to reduce when it comes to Coronavirus Exercise It helps move lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. Lymph fluid contains white blood cells that fight infection. Meditation or Prayer Whether you sit to contemplate, practice deep breathing, or have a time to pray, getting quiet and contemplative reduces stress which strenghtnes your immune function. Sleep Without restorative sleep, optimal immune function is nearly impossible. Most sleep cycles are 3.5-4.5 hours. So doctors recommend a minimum of 7 hours per night.
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A Therapist's Battle with Anxiety AND HER PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS
Felicia Greenfield-Blau is a Physical Therapist and cannabis educator who struggles with anxiety. "When anxiety begins, it's a moment in time when my stomach has a buzzing, swirling sensation, my breath becomes shallow. I feel like I desperately need to escape the room, the conversation, and the situation I find myself in, as my loyal friend and enemy approaches: anxiety. It doesn't take much of a trigger to move me from 'calm as a cucumber' to a scared, shaking, nervous self. This companion has been with me my entire life. It caused me to suck my thumb until I was 5, feel out of place at
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large college parties and not have a strong voice to ask for what I needed in relationships. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illness in the United States affecting 18% of the population; nearly 40 million adults. There is some comfort in knowing I’m not alone, however I never asked to join this club. When I was in my 40’s, I decided to take my life back from the hands of my anxiety and fear. It wasn’t an easy journey however it was the best decision in my life." Felicia has found a good deal of healing through Mindfulness Meditation, and offers the advice on the following pages.
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS Essentially, Mindfulness is the practice of being aware. Many therapies depend on selfawareness. So mindfulness can be a core practice that helps you by itself, or along with other practices. Mindfulness helps a person practice being aware of their thought life and their physical responses to stress so that they can recognize when they're headed for an anxiety response. The more a person can identify their own 'tells,' the more they can use selfcalming techniques to face life stressors. Thus reducing stress or anxiety. "Not everyone can carve time in their busy days to meditate. So I teach what I call "Mindfulness on the Go." This includes things like: Joining a class about mindfulness, meditation or yoga. These practices teach calming and focusing techniques that can be implemented through our daily life. Exercise - walking, running, going to the gym, yoga Listening to relaxing music especially when you're in the midst of stressful circumstances or when you're doing things you don't enjoy (like housework!) Listening to Theta Wave Music, 3-8Hz. This may sound like a foreign language, but it can be found online. Music created in this science has been shown to help the body relax while at the same time stimulating memory and intuition. Quietly chanting or singing mantras while doing activities such as walking the dog. The benefits of chanting mantras include decreasing heart rate, tension and blood pressure. A mantra can be a single word, or a phrase, or a sacred text (Christian, Jewish, Hindi... whatever your sacred text may be). One Minute of Deep Breathing: One standard deep breathing technique is 4-68. Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 6 seconds, and slowly breathe out through your mouth for 8 seconds.
Body scanning promotes body and stress awareness, relaxation and alleviates muscle tightness and pain. Body scanning is simply to relax and give yourself the time to be aware of sensations in your body, from head to toe. But there is far more than that, and I encourage you to investigate it. Setting an Intention. This is easy once you make a habit of it. The key is to think about who you are and what it is that you need. Summarize that need in a short statement like, "I will find joy in every day things that I often take for granted". You may want to write it down on a sticky note for your mirror or somewhere you'll see it during the day. The key is that you remember this statement and recite it. Remind yourself of it throughout your day. It can become like an anchor to pull you out of a chaotic moment. It can help you to look around breathe and remember that you are still here, still breathing, still livining.
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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HOW TO SET
AN INTENTION
"An intention may be different every day, or you may choose the same one. My purpose is to find my inner strength and calm. When we go through our day with an intention on our tongues, we provide a small, yet valuable self-acknowledgment that we have some control over our thoughts, words, and actions. This intention is a gem to hold on to when life stresses us, and we feel the familiar stomach drop of fear. With an intention as a mantra, we can face the stressors, take a breath … slow things down … imagining you are watching your own circumstance like a butterfly on the wall, without needing to jump into the pool of chaos. It gives you a moment to think, assess, and look in from the outside. Breathe and move forward instead of drowning in racing thoughts. It gives a sense of power, even if only a little. And that can keep you from entering into the downward spiral of negative, racing, chaotic thoughts. These are some of the techniques which changed my anxious reactions to life stressors. My anxiety will always be a part of my life, and I have learned to appreciate and respect it. Whether for good or bad, my anxiety serves a purpose of informing me that I feel a stressor. I would challenge you to ask yourself what purpose or protection is your anxiety providing? Once we accept that our anxiety is serving a purpose, it’s easier to acknowledge it vs. being crippled by it. Gratefully through mindfulness meditation, when I feel anxious, I can think more clearly, respond from a place of strength, and act with confidence instead of fear.” ~Felicia Greenfield-Blau
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KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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Canna-Get-A-Witness Patient of the Month
Annie Clark
As my story goes, I was an only child until my brother came along, and by four years old, I realized that he had become the only child … and I was on my own. At nine, my aunt was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and institutionalized. Then, I was sexually molested by our neighbor’s son and threatened into silence. In spite of all of this, I had joy in staying a straight A student until 7th grade, when I found myself unable to manage paper, pens, assignments, books and notebooks in an environment of too much freedom and too many choices. Already burdened by the fear of mental illness, the shame of being ‘dirty’, and a failed mother/daughter relationship, I was faced with a very real problem, that I later discovered was ADD. But without that diagnosis, I was left on my own to figure out a coping mechanisms. I lived life with a gnawing realization that something was wrong with me, and the fear of others finding out. As apprehension and fear developed in response to a condition of feeling inadequate, things considered “normal” for others, became terrorizing events for me. The ringing of a phone brought on an unreasonable state of panic and became a phobia. I was ‘afraid’ to answer and eventually even grew reluctant to pick up the phone to make a call. Even calling friends would lead to agonizing inner turmoil over “Should I call? Would it be okay to call? Is it a good time? What if I don’t call?”. I dialed hundreds of calls only to hang up before the first ring! Confrontation often rendered me speechless because my brain would shut down in the face of emotional stress. No words or images would come, leaving absolutely nothing to draw on to form a response. I shut sown in classrooms and on the playground, and in relationships. Every episode chipped away a little more self esteem and created a lot more anxiety which produced loops of recurring thoughts I couldn’t get out of my head. Some lasted for years. Applying to college was a nightmare. It was too hard to break through the anxiety of not being good enough or being rejected. No one seemed to notice but I remained behind, took a year off, reevaluated, and got into a junior college. I finished, got a job, and 38
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
"I lived life with a gnawing realization that something was wrong with me, and the fear of others finding out."
Annie Clark compensated for my perceived inadequacies by over achieving. I excelled but quaked inside for fear of not getting the job done, or making a serious mistake. But the day came when I realized I couldn’t do it anymore, and I had no idea how to empower others to work with me. I was broken, depressed and agreed to a suggestion from a colleague to get help as an ‘adult with ADD’. After two unsuccessful attempts with antidepressants to quell the anxiety I got the Ritalin and twenty minutes later I got my new life. The internal race to nowhere was gone and so was the anxiety. It was freeing because I had an answer and it was treatable, but I discovered I wasn’t interested maintaining my new life on a controlled substance that caused side effects and more problems, and even suicide. So I decided that instead of prescriptions, I would make-do with a ‘suck it up’ attitude, green tea capsules, and Mountain Dew which was not a healthy approach either. As a young adult I didn’t do anything that could alter my brain. My fear of having a mental illness kept me out of the drug scene. Marijuana was off the table until a trusted friend stopped by our house with a joint and a convincing argument. The experience resonated with me but not my husband.
Eventually Cannabis became my go to relaxer at the end of a day of working a fulltime job and raising a family. When I had surgery to repair a broken leg, I threw away the complimentary opiates and stuck with cannabis. I didn’t realize I had been selfmedicating for years. About three years ago I met a patient advocate, Luke Wiebenga, who introduced me to the benefits of Medical Marijuana. I got educated and met more and more users, and began to understand the nature of the variety of cannabis strains and the importance of terpenes. Cannabis eliminated my arthritis pain, and I used it to relax. But, then, one day, in a private Cannabis Club, I discovered a strain that worked for me like a magic eraser on my anxiety! It literally took my anxiety away. It was the medicine I’d been looking for! Today, I am pharmaceutical free. I no longer suffer from the recurring loops of anxious thoughts, or the feelings of not being okay, or that something is wrong with me. I reap the reward of marijuanna's positive side effects that relieve joint pain, keep my sinus condition under control, and relax my body. My soul feels free! Every day I am a testimony that Cannabis products can improve the quality of life.
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S T R A I N O F T H E M O N T H A N X I E T Y
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CBD'D UP
Your monthly dose of CBD Education
A Look at Pharma, Herbal, & Cannabis Options
for Anxiety KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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Pharma & Herbal Options for Anxiety Anxiety is such a prevalent problem that many industries are cashing in. Since stress is a mixture of physiological factors, learned thought patterns, and often a trauma or prolonged patterns of adverse circumstances, a Pharmaceutical, herbal, or marijuana component can be extremely beneficial to one's wellness. But what is right for you? Kine Hearts is not seeking to provide medical advice. But, here are a few things to consider speaking about with your medical professional.
PHARMACEUTICAL OPTIONS The number of people who take anti-anxiety medications is not known precisely. Still, the public record of how much money is spent annually would indicate that tens of millions of people are taking medications such as Xanax, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Lorazepam Ativan and Lexapro. For many, the process is one where a medication is tried, then evaluated. If it is not working, another medicine is tried, until 'the right medication at the right dose for you' is discovered. Ultimately, the goal is to help the brain respond appropriately to life and the regular day-to-day stressors, instead of overreacting. PROS: Many people find authentic relief through pharmaceuticals. Like an antihistamine for allergies, the medication helps the brain chemistry regarding stress hormones and other mood chemicals. CONS: Synthetic medications may help the brain in some regards, but they have to be processed by detoxifying organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Synthetic medicines are hard on these organs and often have many adverse side effects, especially long-term use.
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HERBAL OPTIONS Many herbs can help with the brain's overall health, and more specifically, the brain's production of "feel good" chemicals. But, just as each person's brain chemistry is unique, so also, the herbs that work for each person may vary. Dr. Daniel Amen has written extensively about approaching your individual brain chemistry with nutrition, exercise, pharmaceuticals, and herbal options. But, there are some commonly used herbs for Anxiety. Adaptogens These herbs help the body to adapt, most notably, to stress. Some readily available adaptogens include: Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng), supports physical endurance, mental clarity, and has antioxidant properties Holy Basil has soothing properties, supports heart health and normal lipid profiles. It’s also a powerful weapon against stress. Milk Thistle is known primarily in liver health, however, it also helps manage the hormones associated with stress. Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng): Studies from India shows that this herb provides dramatic improvements in how people handle and feel stress. It’s also taken to keep the mind sharp and energetic. Rhodiola rosea Used by Sherpas who work on Mt. Everest, this has been shown in studies to support normal cortisol levels. Cortisol is the 'stress hormone' that wreaks havoc in the body. So, to keep it in check is hugely beneficial.
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
Cannabis Options for Anxiety Cannabis has been a powerful herbal option for many people. But not all cannabis is the same. Just like with herbs and pharmaceuticals, finding the right strain for your particular chemistry may take a little trial and error. But seeing what works for you can make all the difference. THC, CBD, or Both? I have met quite a high number of people who use cannabis for anxiety and panic attacks. But some have reported that it aggravates their anxiety. And, if you're around cannabis users long enough, you'll hear about people who have heightened fear or panic when they use marijuana, instead of the calm others enjoy. There is a good reason for this. THC It is the most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana. It is the molecule that causes intoxication or "makes people high." It has some potent medical benefits, but the one drawback (besides intoxication for those who do not want that effect) is that, for some people, it can act as an agitator instead of a relaxer. So, those seeking to medicate for anxiety might want to first try CBD. CBD It is the second most abundant cannabinoid and does not cause intoxication. It is a potent anti-inflammatory agent (which is good for brain health and muscle relaxation, among other things). What is of particular interest in anxiety is how CBD's interaction with the endocannabinoid system promotes homeostasis, which, as we discussed, is the healthiest way to deal with the physiological side of anxiety.
MODES OF INGESTION There are as many ways to consume Hempderived CBD as there are ways to consume marijuana. But when it comes to anxiety or panic attacks, the goal is to get the CBD to the brain as quickly as possible. Therefore, 2 modes are most commonly used. Inhalation Whether by vape, by joint, or by a bong, inhaling Hemp with high levels of CBD is a rapid delivery system to the brain. The lungs dispense the CBD into the bloodstream, which then reaches your brain within seconds. Tincture Tincture placed under the tongue is also a reasonably fast way to get CBD to the brain. It takes a minute or two. To reach the brain, but compared to a pill or edibles (which can take up to an hour to get the brain), it is still a rapid option. This mode is especially useful for people who do not feel comfortable "smoking" or are in public places where vaping or smoking would be inappropriate. The daughter of a friend of mine struggled with panic, especially before exams. So, with the permission of her mother, I gave her a spray tincture. She kept it in her purse and would pretend it was a breath spritz at school when she needed it. She reported that it was beneficial to spritz on her way to a class, especially when she had a presentation or a test.
DOSING: There are no official dosing recommendations by the FDA, but a typical recommendation for new CBD users is to try 5mg of CBD 3x per day. Then, in about a week, if you'd like to increase, go to 10mg 3x per day, then 25mg. According to studies, there are no notable adverse side effects of CBD. Research on Parkinson's finds symptom changes at 450mg per day. As for smoking or vaping, the recommendation for anxiety is to "use as needed." (Not to be used as medical advice. Please consult your doctor.) KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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COOKING WITH CANNABIS WITH CELEBRITY CHEF OLIVIA MILES
Look Out For Otha B's Sweets
FEATURING PHILADELPHIA'S "CHEF NUBBS" ZACH SCOTT KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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Featuring Philadelphia's "CHEF NUBBS" Zach Scott
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KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
BOMB BUTTER A superior Canna-Butter recipe by Philadelphia's "CHEF NUBBS", Zach Scott @ LiveCarePhilly.org
There are quicker and less involved recipes for infusing THC or CBD into butter. However, the point of this recipe is to eliminate the chlorophyll (responsible for the overwhelming earthy flavor / green color present in most weed butter) as well as maximize the THC - Fat bond. Many articles online delve into the science of why the lecithin granules, grain alcohol and following certain methods are essential in rendering a powerfully potent, yet barely detectable weed butter. Perhaps at a future time we will examine the science as well but if you're willing to trust someone who has committed to the chemistry of cooking, and the joy of cannabis, then we can skip the explanations and get to cooking! INGREDIENTS: *Butter 8 oz. Marijuana 7 grams herb or 14 grams trimmings Lecithin Granules 1⁄2 cup **Grain Alcohol 1 cup ** Vanilla Extract 2 tsp. EQUIPMENT: -Cheesecloth (1- 24”x24” square, folded in half to make a 12”x12” square) -Fine Mesh Strainer (ideally fine mesh but any sieve, strainer or china cap will do so long as you have cheesecloth). -Rubber Spatula -2 or 3 Qt Pot -Spray Bottle -5” tea ball or boilable nylon cooking bag -Storage container (glass or plastic, make sure you can pour boiling liquid into it) -Pot holders
Notes:
* The end weight of Your butter should be 8oz, whether you clarify it or leave it whole. Determine if you would like clarified butter or not based on what you will be using it for. For example, If using it for brownies, do not clarify. If using to dip lobster in or baste over pastries while baking, clarify. ** Grain alcohol and vanilla extract are to be mixed together for an optional step. The quality of your butter will be better if using the grain alcohol (and tastier with the dash of vanilla) but it is not essential so feel free to omit if unavailable. KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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PROCEDURE: Fill your pot 2/3rds with water and set on flame. Chop or grind up your cannabis very finely and pour into tea ball or boilable nylon bag. Don’t pack it in. It doesn't need to be really loose but it shouldn’t be stuffed in either Once water is gently boiling place ball or bag in water Boil for 40 minutes in order to decarboxylate, then remove. Dump out weed on fine mesh strainer or other appropriate surface and let dry for 30 minutes. Discard water and rinse pot as you’ll be using it again. (optional step) Pour grain alcohol and vanilla extract into spray bottle and spray the herb lightly. Allow alcohol to evaporate for about 30 minutes or until dry. Especially use this step if you like the terpenes of your cannabis strain. It helps maintain them. Pour water to 1.5” - 2” inches deep in the pot and bring to a gentle boil Add butter and let melt in gently boiling water Add lecithin granules and herb to gently boiling butter water Stir every 20 minutes for first hour then stir every 2 to 3 hours until finished Gently boil for a minimum 8-10 hours (adding water as needed) but not more than 24 hours. Storage Preparation Line fine mesh strainer, china cap, or sieve with cheesecloth. Turn off heat, pick up pot WITH POT HOLDERS and CAREFULLY pour into cheesecloth lined strainer until all water, butter and ingredients are out of the pot Use rubber spatula to remove coating and excess plant matter Let strain & cool for a couple minutes Pick up cheesecloth by the corners and form into bag, squeezing every last drop of water & butter out.
If the cheesecloth tares and solids come out, it’s worth it to restart the straining process Press as much out as possible, get every drop. Cover container and refrigerate over night. The butter will solidify and seperate from the water. Remove the butter, discardthe water. Pat dry the butter with absorbent towel The cannibinoids will remain potent for about 2 - 3 weeks if refrigerated, or 2 - 3 months frozen. Be careful when using in recipes! This butter will taste less like cannabis but is actually very potent - much more potent than your regular weed butter. That’s why it’s Bomb Butter!
BOOM WARNING : THIS BUTTER IS EXTREMELY POTENT! When using it with your recipes, consume with caution. Even my most 'stoner' friends have been hit hard by eating too much too fast. 48
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
Announcing
2 New KHM Features! People of Faith
Due to the demonization of cannabis during the time of prohibition and its continued illegality, 'People of Faith' have often experienced judgment and condemnation if they use cannabis, even as medicine. But it is beyond time to destigmatize cannabis - especially in religious communities. Kine Hearts is on a crusade to help people of all faiths to come out of the cannabis closet and share their stories. These people see cannabis as a gift from God, who provides love for our health and healing.
Kine Hearts ds Ki
The legalization of cannabis in many states has been spearheaded by MOMS of children with conditions that are helped (or healed) with cannabis. Why
wouldn't we talk about Kids in a cannabis magazine? The Kine Hearts' commitment to patient education Photo Hannah Busing
pertains to ALL patients - Kids included! We realized that it's not just sick Kids who have stories to tell, but Kids whose parents use pot can testify to how it helps their parents ... and thus their families. Do you have a story to tell? Contact us! KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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Introducing Persons of Faith DEANNA
CHRISTIAN, NEW MOM, CERVICAL CANCER PATIENT, CANNABIS USER Deanna Walsh is a committed Christian who serves in a volunteer leadership role in her small church. When she was diagnosed with stage 3 Cervical Cancer, she
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as
sugar,
simple carbs, and gluten from her diet.
"When I started with my radiation and
She also started juicing vegetables and
chemo treatments, I had incredible pain.
fruits.
She
successfully
took
her
pregnancy to 38 weeks, delivering a healthy baby girl. The tumor was not shrinking,
and
the
doctors
were
concerned that it was moving to her lymph's. Deanna began chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the end of 2019. At that time, she began using cannabis to deal with the pain that came with external radiation and chemotherapy. As of March 2020, her tumor
has
shrunk
80%.
She
is
still
undergoing pharmaceutical treatments to eliminate it and increase her cannabis usage to assist with that process and address those treatments' painful side effects. This is the story of how her faith in
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Since my cancer is in my core region, it became impossible for me to do even simple tasks like bending over to pick up my baby or even hold her to feed her. The pain felt like knives were stabbing me for 30 days straight. I had cramping and sharp pains in my cervical area that felt like a chainsaw inside me. It was excruciating.
I
also
have
some
neuropathy. And, the low dose chemo gave me nausea and fatigue. For a good while, I was struggling to eat even one meal per day. So, I began using medical cannabis to treat the pain instead of opioids. There is just too much evidence about
the
damaging
effects
and
addictive nature of opioids. So even though
there
is
so
much
taboo
Christ interacts with her choice to use
surrounding cannabis, it seemed like a
cannabis.
much better option." KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN ISSUE
Persons of Faith
My faith in Christ is core to who I am, so I did not decide to use cannabis lightly. I really prayed about it and studied scriptures. I prayed (and still pray) that if I should not be using cannabis that the Holy Spirit would convict me of it. But so far, I have felt no conviction, instead, only confirmation. But there's more. As I studied scriptures, I became more and more confident that I could use cannabis. [Romans 14:1 Corinthians 10] talks about a taboo topic in Paul's day. In that time, Christians were concerned about eating meat that was forbidden by Jewish law and eating meat that had been used in sacrificial ceremonies to gods other than Jesus. Paul explained in [1Corinthians 10:25] that Christ-followers can "eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience" for "The earth is the Lords and everything in it" [Psalm 24:1]. Science is gathering more evidence for the healing properties of cannabis. When Paul addresses something very taboo in their culture, I think it is like addressing cannabis in our culture. Unlike the things that Paul refers to as "permissible but not beneficial," this is both permissible and beneficial because of its healing properties. I do not want to let anything be an idol in my life. I do not want to value anything, including my health, above Jesus. But I'm confident that He has provided all we need for health, and cannabis is among those things. There's no way I would be enduring this cancer treatment functionally without cannabis. I use it for pain, nausea, and anxiety.
Another blow to me is that my mom died from brain cancer when I was 11 years old. The Sunday after her death, we headed to church. But in the midst of our grief, we didn't pay much attention to the violent thunderstorms that day. Our church and most businesses were closed for safety concerns. But to an 11 years old, it was like a sign of God's abandonment. That's when I bailed on my young faith. I decided that God isn't real, or if He was, that he was cruel. I did my own thing for a long time. It was many years before my faith in God was restored. But now, I am so utterly convinced of the love of God for me. And I depend on Jesus through every hardship. I know that He is with me and is now walking with me through this cancer. I have my hard days, of course. My fear of death is a fear of leaving my baby daughter without a mother. It is hard enough to be in so much pain that I cannot properly care for her sometimes. I have to let my husband or family members do what I cannot, creating their own mental pain. And my physical pain is so intense at times that I cannot even read my bible or do much more than cry out to God for relief. Sometimes I get mad at God, of course - it's just real. But I know that He can handle my emotions. And, in the end, I know that I could not get through this without Him.
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN ISSUE
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PERSONS OF FAITH Just over the last couple of weeks, I started using pills with 50mg THC instead of 10mg. That has made an enormous difference in my pain levels! My pain levels are so much lower. It's like my pain has gone from a ten to a two. I can function, care for my daughter, hold her, and feed her. My hope has skyrocketed. My depression has lifted. I can read scriptures how I love to read them, without buckling over in such terrible pain. I truly believe what Paul says, [Romans 8:28] "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purposes." I remind myself all the time that "if it's not good yet, it's not over yet! It's not over til it's good!" God is so kind to have provided cannabis as a medicine for humanity. He loves us and did not leave us without all we need for life. The way I see it, God made all things GOOD, according to Genesis 1. What people do with His creation can be good or bad. We can use a brick to build a house or hit someone in the head. The brick is good if it's used for the purpose for which it was made. Even alcohol is not condemned in scripture - drunkenness is condemned. Jesus drank wine. He even made wine. Paul tells Timothy to drink wine as medicine for a stomach ailment. We are instructed not to get drunk because it affects our ability to make the right decisions. Likewise, I believe God made cannabis good, both for our healing and our pleasure. But we can abuse it. Just like anything else, if we turn it into an idol. It's all about how we use it. Even if someone uses it for a pleasurable high, is that really bad? The same people who have a beer or glass of wine when they get home from work, "to relax" condemn people who have a hit "to relax." But cannabis has incredible health benefits that come along with the intoxication. " I use cannabis with pure motives and clean conscience as a medicine invented by God that has no adverse side effects on my body - unlike the synthetic options made by "man" like opioids with their piles of adverse side effects and addictive properties." Do I force my opinion on anyone else? No.
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KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN ISSUE
"I use cannabis with pure motives and a clean conscience as a medicine invented by God that has no negative side effects on my body unlike the synthetic options made by man like opioids with their piles of negative side effects and addictive properties."
Deanna
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Kine Hearts
issue #1
s d i K
Y B 54
KIDS!
FOR
T U O
AB
KINE HEARTS MEDIA | AUTUMN ISSUE
Kine Hearts s We are Excited!
d i K
Photo by Senjuti Kundu on Unsplash
This month Kine Hearts Media takes great pleasure in announcing the addition of KIne Hearts Kids. We know that children and young adults are a massive part of the cannabis community. We are ready to give them a voice! This section will feature what's essential to your Kids and what other Kids are doing! Especially now, during this pandemic, there's uncertainty, fear, and boredom. We know Kids are cannabis and hemp patients, artists, musicians, writers, photographers, dancers, athletes, chefs, actors, thinkers, and community activists. Kine Hearts Kids will feature their stories, talents, hopes, and dreams. We do need your help! Please share this opportunity with Kids who are chasing their dreams, active in the community, and medicating with cannabis-related products. We ask for submissions of artwork, poetry, stories, music, recipes, photos, and articles on interest areas. We are also looking for the Kids interested in becoming interviewers for print and podcasts. Kine Hearts Media knows your Kids are already creating in your own ways! Please share those ways through us with your community!
submissions@kineheartsmedia.com Follow us @kineheartsmedia
KINE HEARTS MEDIA | AUTUMN ISSUE
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Kine HeartsKids
Power in the Positive
By Annie Clark
We kick off Kine Hearts Kids with an interview with CJ Oreno aka illa_da_illest a young rapper from Eastern Pennsylvania. At eleven CJ had captured the attention of several writers and producers in the music industry and become a person of note in his community. He raps a positive message and wholeheartedly believes in Leading By Example which is his brand. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with CJ and his father to talk about his music career. What do you do, CJ? “I rap. I just love making music and helping other people”. CJ has been around music all his life. His father Chris Oreno has a home recording studio and and contacts in the music industry. By the time CJ was two, he showed an interest in learning music and a talent for making it. His dad knew then, that he would have a future in the music industry. How did you get started as a rapper? “I started when I saw my dad’s friend, and one day in the car I just started free-styling”. By this time CJ knew about making beats and was learning how to combine them with words. Musician friends of the family who work in the music industry took an interest in CJ and became his teachers. They coach him in writing and artistic development. Are you learning how to be a rapper? “No, it’s just coming, I just do my own style”. Who’s your favorite rapper? “Eminem”. But not the words…how he acts in the music. He does some things I do”. What’s your favorite thing about your music? “That it’s positive. It says don’t hurt people. Stop bullying. Respect, honor and discipline”.
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KINE HEARTS MEDIA | AUTUMN ISSUE
In Demand!
Since his first performance on stage at his old school, CJ has been in demand. The family is active in the Lehigh Valley community through the local organizations "I Promise Neighborhoods and Media Move Movement." CJ’s positive messages are a perfect match and he was asked to perform at two out of the three large music events in the area, including The Spanish Culture Festival and Awesome Fest. Now anytime there is a community-based event they put him on it. Late last summer illa_da_illest was interviewed on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). He recently performed at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards in Bethlehem, PA.
What’s your favorite original song that you wrote and perform? Stop The Violence” Why that song? “It’s talking about how you should not hurt people or make violence”. Is there anything else, CJ? “Yes, thanks for the opportunity, it’s a blessing! @illa_da_illest music is on Instagram, YouTube and Soundcloud. Check him out! @illa_da_illest Chris Oreno, CJ's dad, a musician as well, and now runs Illionairez Entertainment, a videography business. He has made some of the videos of illa_da_illest that are up on YouTube and other social media platforms.
A few years ago you had Lyme Disease? “Yeah, I had Lyme disease and I couldn’t talk too much, I could barely get out. I couldn’t focus on the music. I I was sick for two months”. What helped you get through it? “Chillin and working with Phish and Young Harlem. He’s the one that helped start my music. I’ve been doing this since I was two”! So, you are a professional? “Yeah! I got my own logos”. (A brand logoLeading by Example and his own artist logo) KINE HEARTS MEDIA | AUTUMN ISSUE
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ARTS & MUSIC "ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE... VIOLET CAN BE PURPLE DEPENDING ON THE HUE... ONE HIT AND THE SYNAPSES START FIRING IN MY BRAIN... I PASS IT TO MY FRIEND SO WE CAN VIBE THE SAME."
6
BY ANONYMOUS
58
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
TTOCS NYLORACÂ YB EYBA UTIAHEST HTIW WEIVRETNI NA
THE BLACK DRAGON
ARTS & MUSIC
P A R T 1: T H E C R E A T I V E E C O NO M Y Kind and Genuine. Networker. Analytical. Insightful. Bold. Brave. Brilliant. Visionary. Entrepreneur. Shepherd of Cats. These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of Tsehaitu (pronounced say-hi-too), Abby. This woman is a DO-er, who has spent too long in the shadows of others. She organizes and figures out how to make ideas into manifested reality. I've had the honor of watching her in action; getting to know her and seeing her go through her process of evolution. And now, I am excited to present her as a budding entrepreneur who is finally creating her spotlight and teaching others how to do the same. I had not heard the term "creative economy" until she uttered the words, about a year ago.
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE ECONOMY? People in business may assume that "The Creative Economy" is a term referring to to aspects to it. On the one hand, it addresses artists, musicians, and writers (the "creatives") who want to make a living at their craft. They are essentially business owners. And, like so many business owners, they may be incredible at what they DO, but they may not know how to acquire customers or clients. On the other hand, the Creative Economy is a broad term that addresses the fact that we live in a society where 'Creatives' are becoming more and more essential to any business's success. A business cannot just be good. It needs branding, packaging art, brochures, postcards, magazine ads, billboards, a social media presence, maybe social media ads or commercials for radio
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When Tsehaitu left the company that was taking advantage of her, she took her own advice that she'd given so many other creatives. She decided on an industry in which she wanted to create a name for herself. Then she began building her persona and also an "experience" as a brand. The industry is Cannabis. Her identity is as a "Black Dragon" Her experience and brand are called, "Black Dragon Breakfast Club".
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and TV. Traditionally, all of these things have most often been done by a company's "in house" marketing team, or by an 'agency' hired by the business. So, the artist or writer who wants to earn a living is left fighting for a limited number of jobs on marketing teams or in agencies. But social media has been a game-changer. The world has a new avenue of promotion, and a savvy artist can create a clientele who wants to hire them for this venue, by first strategically using this venue. We find ourselves in a time when branding one's SELF is a necessity. But branding one's self can be far more difficult than developing branding for a product, restaurant, or law firm. Why? Because it's hard for most people to figure out what niche market they want to serve. And today, many artists (and products) must brand themselves to serve a niche to differentiate themselves from the herd. Tsehaitu now "coaches" artists in this endeavor. She helps them think about their target market, and develop strategies to reach that market by branding themselves for it. She also teaches both artists and business owners how to strategically engage with social media to reach their audience of potential clients. Think about the you-tuber who creates a niche for themselves. This one is a cartoonist, that other one plays video games and comments on the experience, another does practical jokes and pranks ... then when they have a large enough following, they can start getting paid advertisements. They pick a niche, create a following, get the advertisers. The business of independent artists and musicians is quite similar. But instead of working to acquire advertisers on your platform, you're working to get clients to pay you to create the ad (or brochure or website or social media campaign). This is not easy work, but it is a playing field where "anyone" can succeed. Each creative needs to choose how they will present themselves to the world; decide what his or her PERSONA is going to be. This is the first step of entrepreneurship for a creative, but it can be an exciting one. At this step, a person can CHOOSE how to define or REDEFINE themselves. This was a step that Tsehaitu had to take for herself. After years of labor organizing, she worked for a company that worked with hundreds of artists and musicians across Philadelphia.
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
The more she studies her desired clientele, the more she can brand herself to that group. "Every target audience has its personality, and I study it what do they eat, wear, talk about? What are their core values? How am I going to reach them and serve them?" Once you understand that, then you can either work as a creative in that industry or become a brand ambassador for a company in that industry with that target audience. I saw this first hand with a young man in Philadelphia. He understood this concept. He created a title for himself and began religiously posting cannabis content. It wasn’t super educational. It wasn’t any particular brand. It was mostly him, in a baseball cap or shirt with his logo, smoking or rolling a joint or doing something related to cannabis. Sometimes it was artistic, sometimes it wasn’t. I asked him “what are you selling?” He replied, “Me. I’m the product. I’m branding myself.” In 2017, this made no sense to a 40-something who had just started using Instagram. But, he developed an audience and then found his sponsor. "Yes!" Tsehaitu exclaimed, "That's exactly what I'm talking about. He branded himself. He CREATED his opportunity to then get paid to be a brand ambassador."
"Tsehaitu has created her brand, under which she is doing cannabis education and creating events that help destigmatize cannabis use. She has also begun coaching both artists and small business owners. "Essentially they both need the same services. They need to learn how to brand themselves, set themselves apart in a market flooded with products just like theirs, and to start thinking more about niche markets instead of broad ones. Setting yourself up as the best for a narrow market can win great loyalty. Then, if you want to expand your scope, add another niche group and go from there". She knows that most small business owners don't have the money to hire someone to do their social media, so she also teaches them the tricks of the trade and how to teach their teams to be their partners in the work, or ways to engage freelance creatives who are much less expensive then an agency.
KINE HEARTS / AUTUMN 2020
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