kush 16
montana’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine
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22 features
inside
16 Going Green: Carpooling
10 | The Health Report: Fitness by J.T. Gold
One way to help the environment is to ride share. Check out sources that can help you go green and contribute to preserving our planet.
14 | Essential Vaaapp by Scott Lerner
22 Bob Marley
20 | Montana Law by Michael Douglass
This Month in Weed History features the king of reggae who was born in the month of hearts, flowers and chocolates. How apropos that such a internationally loved icon would represent the month of Valentine’s.
34 Silver Surfer
One of the premiere vaporizer companies run by a true entrepreneur. Read about this truly innovative company and the products it produces.
44 Growers Grove
When is too much water, nutrients and fertilizer just too much for your precious cannabis plants. Read the advice that our resident grow specialist, Jade Kine gives to insure you grow the heartiest and healthiest plants.
58 Chef Herb
As they say in French “Laissez les bons temps rouler” or “Let the good times role”, a Mardi Gras expression you can say when you entertain with our resident Chef Herb’s Mardi Gras recipes. Happy Fat Tuesday! 6
18 | We Dig This: Whitefish by Bud Lee 24 | Dispelling the Rumors by Jim Gingery 26 | Strain Review: Blue Dream by Dillon Zachara 28 | Hempful Hints by Jay Evans 30 | The Testing Revolution by Michael Geci, MD 36 | Glacier Park by Jay Evans 36 | Montana Travel by Jane Quentin 40 | Getting Past Medical by John Masterson 42 | Montana Live Music Preview by Dillon Zachara 48 | Driving Under the Influence in Montana by Chris Lindsey 50 | Cloning by Tyler C. Davidson 52 | The Missoula Art Museum by Jay Evans 54 | KushCon II by Scott Lerner 62 | Dailybuds.com Dispensary Directory
from the editors
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kush
montana’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine
e want to thank you for giving Kush Magazine such a warm welcome to Montana. Kush Magazine is the premier cannabis lifestyle magazine that brings our readers information about where to get the highest quality medication for the best prices as well as current information about what is going on in the medical/legal marijuana industry. Rarely a day goes by where the subject of marijuana, whether it is the legalization debate or the medical benefits of marijuana for various diseases and ailments, is not inthe news. This past December, Kush Magazine and dailybuds.com, our online social network for the cannabis lifestyle, hosted KushCon II (see story on p 54) in Denver, Colorado where hundreds of vendors, 10s of thousands of attendees and incredible musical talent gathered in over 300,000 square feet of space to celebrate the cannabis industry. We learned that marijuana is here to stay and our goal is to provide you with a quality magazine and website that informs you of the happenings of this very widespread and well accepted lifestyle. Each month we keep you up to date on strain reviews, recipes using THC, such as the one’s celebrating Mardi Gras provided this month by our resident cannabis Chef Herb, as well as live music, events, travel, growing tips, places to dine or visit, and recreational activities that abound in your area that we think you will dig. For those seeking a cannabis social network, we have just the place for you. Be sure to visit www.dailybuds.com, join (it’s free), invite your friends and participate in the first social
Advocating access to medical marijuana is of course, a core mission of ours. But we’re also trying to have some fun and be informative along the way. network referred to as the Facebook for cannabis users, with forums, blogs, events, games, coupons, dispensary menus and much more. Dailybuds.com provides the most comprehensive listings of dispensaries, medical doctors and delivery services in your region. If there is one missing that you want included, be sure to email info@dailybuds. com and we will add any listing for free. Advocating access to medical marijuana is, of course, a core mission of ours. But we’re also trying to have some fun and be informative along the way. Be sure to read about issues in Montana including the perplexing situation of driving under the influence written by Montana lawyer Chris Lindsey on page 48, or why the cannabis policy in Montana should be regulated by the state, as set forth by John Masterson, the Executive Director of Montana Norml on page 40. For those looking for an escape in their own land of paradise, check out the Resort at Paws Up on page 38, or check out product reviews of Essential Vape on page 14 and Silver Surfer on page 34. Please let us know what you think at editor@dailybuds.com and we hope you enjoy Kush Magazine. We look forward to getting to know you on www.dailybuds.com, as well as right here every month. Kush Editorial Board, www.dailybuds.com
A Division of Dbdotcom LLC
Publishers | Dbdotcom LLC Founder | Michael Lerner Editor | Lisa Selan Assistant Editor | Wasim Muklashy Business Operations Manager | Bob Selan Business Development | JT Wiegman Art Director | Robb Friedman Director of International Marketing & Public Relations | Cheryl Shuman Director of Montana Sales | Ed Docter and Quinn Micklewright Advertising Sales Reps | Amanda Allen, Christianna Lewis, Denise Mickelson, Kyle Ragan Designers | Avel Culpa, Marvi Khero, Joe Redmond Traffic Managers | Kevin Johnson, Alex Lamitie, Ryan Renkema, Jordan Selan, Rachel Selan Distribution Manager | Alex Lamitie Contributing Writers Chef Herb, Charlotte Cruz, Tyler C. Davidson, Michael Douglass, Jay Evans, J.T. Gold, Jim Gingery, Josh Kaplan, Jade Kine, Bud Lee, Scott Lerner, Chris Lindsey, John Masterson, Jane Quentin, Dillion Zachara Accounting | Dianna Bayhylle Internet Manager Dailybuds.com | Rachel Selan Dailybuds.com Team | JT Kilfoil & Houston SUBSCRIPTIONS KUSH Magazine is also available by individual subscription at the following rates: in the United States, one year 12 issues $89.00 surface mail (US Dollars only). To Subscribe mail a check for $89.00 (include your mailing address) to : DB DOT COM 24011 VENTURA BLVD. SUITE 200 CALABASAS, CA 91302 877-623-KUSH (5874) Fax 818-223-8088 KUSH Magazine and www.dailybuds.com are Tradenames of Dbdotcom LLC. Dbbotcom LLC 24011 VENTURA BLVD. SUITE 200 CALABASAS, CA 91302 877-623-KUSH (5874) Fax 818-223-8088 To advertise or for more information Please contact info@dailybuds.com or call 877-623-5874 Printed in the United States of America. Copyright ©2010. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written written permission of Dbdotcom LLC.
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IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE RESOLVED TO MAKE 2011 THE YEAR YOU get healthy, then you probably have done this before. The wagon is so easy to fall of, especially when you’re feeling good! So this year, when you’re vowing to take some time off of drinking, or are going to lose those 20 pounds, or are finally going to quit smoking, remember that we don’t get to the point of needing resolve overnight; results are relative to the amount of work we are willing to put in and should be expected to be a marathon not a sprint. Here are some words of wisdom that should help you achieve your goals for 2011.
The best-laid plans are the ones with focus and direction. If your goal is to be healthier, decide what that looks like. Are you going to try to bulk up? Lose weight? Increase stamina? Set a realistic goal for each week and stick to it. If you’re just coming off the couch and have been sedentary, take small steps. You may not be running marathons in 3 months, but you could vow to walk 3 miles a day 3 times a week. This can be achieved simply, quickly and without the burden of a gym membership. Walk your way up to jogging and maybe in 6 months time, try a 5k.
Sadly, this is true and a lot of us are a double-double with cheese. While the occasional trip to our favorite fast food joint is certainly expected, it’s too easy to drive through at lunch. Remember when your mom packed your lunch? She did this because she wanted you to eat well and that wisdom of controlling what you eat should be welcome. Snacking throughout the day helps us to avoid intense hunger pains that often lead us right to the counter demanding the super size option. Snacks like fresh veggies or rice cakes, granola or yogurt keep us full and provide actual nutrients to the fuel the body. After all, that’s what food is—fuel; and you wouldn’t put kerosene in your car, so why would you put fat and salt in your body? Eating several times a day is recommended by nearly every diet expert and the reasons are simple: you need to metabolize and if you go to long without eating, your body goes into starvation mode and the metabolism slows. So eat well, and eat often.
You can’t achieve any level of fitness by lying on the couch or sitting on a barstool, so make a deal with yourself that this is the year to get off your ass. Walking is the only exercise we really need to do if you do it long enough and mix it up with hills or terrain change. You can walk anywhere, for free. Swimming is another great way to boost cardio and increase flexibility. If you hate the gym, find something to play and someone to play with and no, video games do not count. Find a buddy to hit golf balls with, play tennis with, jog with or hit the weights with. If you are both accountable, it makes the chore easier when you have someone to share the load with. Getting back in shape after an absence can be daunting. It’s so easy to fall into patterns of laziness that the turnaround can feel impossible. Do not despair. The body is an amazing machine and all it takes is for you to make up your mind to live better and take better care of your body. After all, it’s the only one we have got and to take good care of it makes you feel better, look better and sets up your chances for long-term health and happiness. Happy 2011 to us all. Live well.
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The medical cannabis industry is a budding grove of innovation, and the new Essential Vaaapp EV101 does not fall short of continuing to push the boundaries of safe and effective cannabis consumption. This new vaporizer is a handheld, portable way to safely consume cannabis. Aside from edibles, using a vaporizer is the healthiest way to consume cannabis. For use in edibles, THC is extracted from cannabis without the application of direct heat, which in turn creates no smoke. The extracted THC is then combined into butter or oil, for example, for standard use in cooking. A vaporizer also extracts THC from cannabis without creating any smoke. It works like this: indirect heat within a confined glass space causes the marijuana to become warm, and when hot air gets sucked through the warm space a THC-enriched vapor is created. This vapor, although white and somewhat dense, is not smoke—fire never touches the marijuana, and no smoke is ever created. The advantage is enormous: THC extraction is twice as efficient (meaning you can vape less marijuana to reach the same high) as lighting cannabis on fire (like a joint, pipe, or bong), and there is no harmful smoke to inhale into the lungs. Unlike tobacco, research shows that the cannabis plant is not 14 14 14
carcinogenic. However, smoke is highly carcinogenic, and can damage the lungs. The downside of using a vaporizer has always been its bulkiness and difficulty of use. Most vaporizers require being tethered to a wall for a constant stream of electricity, take about five minutes to warm up, and are large boxes with medical tubes sticking out of them. Rather than healthfulness, vaporizers imply a level of pot smoking that only serious and well-versed users ever tackle. Simply, the Essential Vaaapp destroys the stigmas plaguing a more widespread use of healthfully consuming cannabis via vapor. The EV101 is a non-electronic, hand-held, and portable vaporizer made in Northern California. Designed by current CEO Whitedeer of the coastal California Rumsen tribe, the EV101 brings the ease of use and portability of a small pipe to the world of vaporizers. With three easily removable and cleanable vials that connect to a base the size of a small pipe, the EV101 is the ultimate way to inhale marijuana easily and safely in any place or situation. In addition to applying the efficiency and safety of vaporizing to a small and portable piece, the Essential Vaaapp is a prime example of the type of economy associated with medical marijuana. The EV101 was designed as is built in the United States by what the company describes as “environmentally conscious shops.” The company is “dedicated to manufacturing this device in the United States where it not only helps our economy but saves lives by avoiding contributing to environmental devastation caused by unregulated manufacturing processes and nonexistent chemical recycling.” The Essential Vaaapp EV101 is the quickest and easiest way to enjoy the safe and efficient vapor of medical cannabis. http://www.essentialvape.com/index.php
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Carpooling
carpooling, once limited to school trips in the mornings by neighborhood moms, has become an online enterprise with several companies offering to find riders with similar destinations the chance to hook up and share gas, time, wear and tear on the car, and subsequently the environment. Carpooling is one of those wonderful win-win-win situations where everyone gets the better end of the deal. In cities with Carpool lanes, the value of a fellow passenger is immeasurable. If you have ever sat in traffic and watched the carpoolers’ whiz by, you know how lonely and desperate you can suddenly feel, especially when you’re late for work. Carpooling cuts expenses, saves on polluting emissions and saves time.
ERIDESHARE.COM This site is a nifty way to find rides 10 minutes or 10 hours away. The sections are broken up into: daily commutes, cross-country travel, errands (medical, grocery, etc) and a groups option where schools, employers, parents, etc can set up ridesharing communities. Erideshare has been around sine 1999 and is a trusted resource for carpooling. You can even view a map that shows how many people are in your area using the service.
CRAIGSLIST Craigslist is where the world meets. You can buy a sofa, get a job, rent an apartment, find a tennis partner and yes, a ride. The rideshare section is located under Community and is a great place to post for free. You can also search the ads that are already posted and find someone who may be looking for the same exact thing you are! And if not, you can always get lost in the Free section and score some fill dirt and a broken Volkswagen.
RIDESTER.COM Ridester is more of an auction –like site where people offering rides post where and when they are leaving, the destination and return (if applicable) and post an asking price for your share of the expenses. The steps are simple and pretty cool. 1. Join Ridester (free) 2. Build a personal profile including your preferences for gender, music, smoking, and age. 3. Enter where you’re leaving from and going to and instantly find drivers going your way. You can filter the trips by asking price and trip date. If there are no matches, you can even save your search and get notified automatically by email (or text message) when new trips are going your way.
BY CHA R LOTTE CRUZ
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Carpooling is a great way to meet new people, save on costs and help the env ironment. The sites that are dedicated to ridesharing do a good job of giv ing you the power to choose who you ride w ith and a sense of the experience before you commit. Be safe, be smar t and be green!
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SO NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER AND THE FAMILY HAS GONE BACK HOME, it’s time for a few “personal days.” You know what I’m talking about…getting up to the mountain for a few days of perfect snow, under perfect conditions…perhaps meet up with some friends in between runs for a drink…then back to the mountain you go. If this sounds like your type of fun, than you need to get up to Whitefish Ski Resort. Now! With the holiday crowds receding, and the conditions better than ever, the timing is just right for Montanans to enjoy this Rocky Mountain gem.
KUSH MAGAZINE SUGGESTS YOU SEEK OUT THE SNOWCAT ADVENTURE, which takes you to the most nestled, backcountry parts of the mountain, for the freshest and fluffiest snow. This all day powder adventure will leave you begging for more. Maybe a slower pace is more your style? If so, the Glacier National Park offers unforgettable journeys via snow shoes, cross country skis, or back country skis. This unique experience allows those to soak in the surroundings, and admire the wilderness. For something fun and different, try a Dog-Sled Tour, which allows visitors to experience a real Iditarod adventure through the beautiful forest, on the back of a real dog sled. Wow, you might have thought this was only for the Alaskans? Nope! Now, you too can run with the dogs…this sounds especially fun!
NESTLED JUST OUTSIDE THE GLACIER
NATIONAL PARK, this mountain resort offers more than just great snow. In addition to world-class accommodations, Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts numerous outdoor adventures including hiking, camping, and even hot air ballooning. While night skiing and snowmobiling tours may be options for the thrill-seekers on the mountain, shopping, fine dining and a festive nightlife provide for great times off the mountain. If your body needs a break after the slopes, check out the Remedies Day Spa. With treatment names like Glacier Hot River Rock Massage, The Body Buster (for deep tissue treatment), and the Couples Massage Class (where couples learn how to massage each other - this sounds especially nice), you will surely leave rejuvenated. For more information on Whitefish Ski Resort, or to book a trip, CALL 1-877-SKI-FISH, or CHECK THEM OUT ON THE WEB AT WWW.SKIWHITEFISH.COM. Don’t feel guilty for taking a few personal days - you deserve it!
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MONTANA LAW by MICHAEL DOUGLASS
On November 2nd, 2004 Montana voters overwhelmingly approved Initiative 148, ushering in an era of refreshing tolerance and more than a mere modicum of controversy. It’s been noted that support was lent more by a robust Libertarian faction than what many outside the state would wrongfully assume was a hippie element, yet wording and provisions were woefully inadequate. Vagaries were rampant and specifics, hard to come by. The lay of the land was ripe for abuse, confusion and chaos. Still, events proceeded slowly. Timidity and reluctance were preeminent in the ever present shadow of the federal bear and it’s nonsensical willingness to persecute and prosecute anyone engaged in the distribution, sale or use of what it still regarded as a schedule 1 narcotic. In early 2009, attorney General Eric Holder indicated that the Department of Justice would no longer pursue MMJ dispensaries in states where they had become legal. At least one egregious artifact of the Bush administration was allowed to go dormant. The raids, for the most part, ended. A catalyst
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for explosive growth in MMJ and all attendant industries had entered stage right. As of October of last year the number of patients surged precipitously to over 25,000 and registered caregivers soared similarly, exceeding 4,600 according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. The Genie had quit the lamp. In the wake of a development most saw as fortuitous, camps both pro and con found themselves clamoring for clarity and more efficacious oversight and regulation despite the disparity in objectives. Effective medical application, even as palliative care, isn’t in question for any involved in the MMJ industry but the need for much more clinical and academic study has never been greater. All involved long for hard evidence to decisively to eclipse the sheer volume of the earnest but anecdotal. Conventional wisdom among patients and caregivers certainly does hold that those who would flout or otherwise make a mockery of the existing law as well as it’s spirit do far more harm than good. Traveling MMJ clinics and brazenly
imbibing in public on municipal property serve only to garner sensational headlines and are salient examples of what can and does impede progress and scald perception. Although the State Board of Medical Examiners has been somewhat effective in addressing such issues, everybody loses if such isolated antics manifest into punitive legislation. Some lawmakers propose a return to the ballot, allowing voters to reconsider or second guess, or an outright repeal. The Montana Chamber of Commerce along with the National Federation of Independent Businesses seek to protect small businesses from discriminatory law suits brought by medical marijuana using employees and clarification as to when and where drug testing may be administered while those in the industry are making how many plants a patient is permitted and related issues a priority because of the tremendous impact it may have on the survival of a business as well as the treatment of patients. In August of last year, the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee adopted a proposal after half a year of study that would that would create a more comprehensive licensing and regulatory structure, allow local governments power to dictate zoning restrictions, establish rules for physicians who would recommend marijuana for treatment and implement stricter compliances for growers. In addition, it calls for two separate doctor recommendations for patients seeking to utilize marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain. Ed Docter, director of the Northwest Chapter of the Montana Medical Marijuana Growers Association sees problems with the proposal. “It’s almost word-for-word the Colorado law,” Docter said. “We’re in Montana; we’re much more rural.” He maintains that Montana is too sparsely populated for the proposed limits on patients per caregiver as well as limits on quantity of medicine for each individual that could leave patients without enough. Docter also champions the positive impact the industry has on the state’s economy, “Our economy wouldn’t be anywhere where it is right now without marijuana.”
On January 7 a coalition of Montana marijuana groups announced their intention to integrate “their efforts toward the shared goal of preserving medical cannabis patient’s rights in the face of backlash and opposition at the Montana Legislature.......” That coalition includes Patients & Families United, Citizens for Responsible Crime Policy, the Montana Medical Growers Association, the Alliance for Cannabis Science, Montana NORML and Montanans for Responsible Legislation. Several of the state’s leading caregiver operations also are centrally involved, including Zoo Mountain Natural Care, Kannakare Health Services, Five Friends Inc. and Garden Mother Herbs. Also involved is Montana Connect and Bozeman based Montana Botanical Analysis and CannabAnalysis, based in Missoula. “It’s no secret that ostentatious and opportunistic behavior of a few, exploiting the law’s loopholes and gray areas for their own financial gain, have shattered public understanding of the laws’s importance and now jeopardize the future of patient’s rights in Montana,” said Tom Daubert, founder/director of Patients & Families United. Daubert was involved in drafting Initiative 148 and helped manage the 2004 campaign to adopt a compassionate medical marijuana policy in Montana, and has publicly criticized the law’s exploitation since 2009. –Press Release January 7, 2011 The 62nd session of the Montana Legislature convened on January 3, 2011. It promises to be both fascinating and portentous for the entire industry. Efforts to mitigate the law in the ‘09 session all failed. The nation is watching. The fate of the Genie and his lamp will be decided.
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It’s hard to find another iconic figure (from any genre) as universally loved, admired, and recognized as the King of Reggae - Bob Marley. Born Nesta Robert Marley February 6th, 1945, in the village if Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. His father was a white Jamaican of English descent, and his mother was an AfroJamaican. Although faced with questions about his racial identity, he once reflected: “I don’t have prejudice against meself. My father was a white and my mother was black. Them call me half-caste or whatever. Me don’t dip on nobody’s side. Me don’t dip on the black man’s side nor the white man’s side. Me dip on God’s side, the one who create me and cause me to come from black and white.” This higher level and perspective on his own existence may have been the impetus to his elevation to “icon”, or do I dare say…”God”-like status. To those who are religious, it might seem strange to elevate a mere mortal (in comparison) to GOD, or “a god.” To some it may even seem blasphemous, but to Native American Hopi and Havasupai tribes, Marley is considered to be the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, while some in Nepal consider him to be an incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Very few mortals reach such a collective status, and rarely from the world of music. Bob Marley transcended music. He wasn’t merely a musician with great songs. His music spoke from the heart, and the world could definitely relate, all the while remaining colorless. His compilation album Legend (1984), released three years after his death, is the best-selling album, going ten times Platinum (Diamond) in the U.S., and selling 20 million copies worldwide. His lyrics, although specific to his life’s story, continue to speak to people of all races, genders and creeds. His pioneering of the Dub and Reggae music we know and love today are paramount, and arguably unmatched. His name, songs, and likeness are such a part of Reggae music, he has become synonymous with the genre as a whole. Besides his musical genius, his humanitarian work was so true and earnest. His intense and often life-threatening work bridging the gap between political parties has been heralded. I’m not sure what Bob thought his job here on earth was, but his music simply became a conduit for positive energy around the world. This by my definition is “God”-like. His energy lives on in some place, every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, somewhere on this planet. Does this quantify Omnipotence? Maybe not quite, but his positive vibrations continue to ripple through our airwaves, into our eardrums, and through the rhythms’ of our bodies. If what we know as “GOD” is ever-present, and powerful - emotionally calming and empowering - and touching the lives of the masses (or anyone willing to listen), then I think Bob Marley qualifies.
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by Jim Gingery Correcting misinformation is an important reason why the Montana Medical Growers Association was organized. The MMGA was licensed by the State of Montana as a 501c5 Trade Organization in November 2009. The threefold mission of the MMGA is to support growers’ initiatives as the voice for legal medical cannabis cultivators, to provide education and information in order for caregivers to offer superior patient care, and to promote the lawful and ethical conduct of its members. The association seeks to make it easier for growers
to help each other, but also to establish professional and ethical standards intended to insure patients receive quality safe medicine and receive appropriate standard of care. There are a lot of things being said about medical cannabis in this State. There is no question that a select few have taken advantage of the current law which has provided a backlash of public opinion. Those in favor of the outright prohibition of medical cannabis continue to offer their interpretation of the facts. Some of the falsehoods being purported include…
1. CANNABIS IS OUT OF CONTROL IN MONTANA – CAREGIVERS ARE JUST DRUG DEALERS
the information is readily available on the Internet from renowned international organizations and universities that clearly support the vast number of conditions where medical cannabis may be beneficial.
FALSE! The professionalism that this new agricultural industry presents now leads the country in medical cannabis licensed states. Inventory tracking, production efficiencies and closed loop distribution models and testing of medicine are becoming common place in Montana through the efforts of ethical and legal caregivers working toward self regulation. The majority of compliance checks of responsible caregivers have come back as outstanding. Caregivers continually attempt to provide the best medical cannabis alternative for their patients. Follow up care with patients, especially first time users of medical cannabis, is also commonplace. Both a code of ethics and standard of care are being used by caregivers.
2. THERE ARE NO STUDIES SUPPORTING THE EFFICACY OF MEDICAL CANNABIS FALSE! There are volumes of research now available on the efficacy of medical cannabis for certain medical conditions. The simple reason more traditional US based research has been limited is the inability of universities to get permission to study this medicine. Fortunately,
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3. AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF MINORS HAVE “GREEN CARDS” IN MONTANA FALSE! Only 58 minors hold medical cannabis licenses in the State as of the first of the year. This equates to 0.21% of the overall number of patients registered with the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Some feel that no one under the age of 30 could possibly have a medical condition requiring medical cannabis. They should consider that cancer, automobile accidents, and epilepsy for example are not age specific. The fact is very few minors actually have a medical cannabis card in the State. 4. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS USED ANY
MEDICAL CANNABIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED
FALSE! Currently there is no scientifically acceptable medical cannabis impairment test to determine whether a patient is capable of driving a vehicle. Current testing methodology can show that medical cannabis
has been in the individual’s system for up to more than 30 days, but has no basis to determine if they are impaired. The active ingredients in cannabis, in most circumstances, dissipate within 2 – 6 hours. This change from an active ingredient to passive storage in the fat cells of the body has no detrimental effect on a patient’s cognitive ability.
5. CANNABIS IS A GATEWAY DRUG FALSE! Recent research suggests that recreationally used cannabis does not act as a gateway drug to harder drugs such as alcohol, cocaine and heroin. The same will apply to users of medicinal cannabis. Most often the gateway to illegal substances is tobacco and alcohol. A 10-year Dutch study found that there was little difference in the probability of an individual taking up cocaine as to whether or not he or she had used cannabis.
6. STUDENTS ARE SELLING MEDIBLES IN THE SCHOOLYARD AT LUNCHTIME FALSE! While there was testimony to this effect at a recent hearing of the House Health and Human Services Committee, this is blatantly untrue. As a rule, most school districts do not allow medical cannabis on campus and they certainly do not openly permit medicated products to be distributed.
7. SMOKING CANNABIS WILL GIVE YOU CANCER FALSE! A 2006 study, conducted at UCLA and funded by the National Institute of Health concluded that smoking marijuana, even regularly and heavily, does not lead to lung cancer.
So you can see why education is such a high priority for the MMGA. This means education for caregivers regarding how to grow quality medicine and have appropriate patient interaction and follow-up care; education for patients on how to select the right medicinal approach for their condition; and education for Law Enforcement, the traditional medical community, local lawmakers and the public at large on the benefits of cannabis as a legitimate homeopathic remedy and explanations of how professional this industry has become by following basic small business practices of inventory control and customer service. We do this through our seminars and educational classes, meeting with local government, and through a once-a-month radio show. The Montana Medical Marijuana Radio Show can be heard at 6PM MST the fourth Wednesday of every month live on www.wsradio.com. All shows are archived on the site in case listeners miss the live show. The medical cannabis industry is the new boom industry in the State. In this current economy, people are doing what they need to do to legally make ends meet. Many legislative actions end up having unintended consequences. This is one case where those unintended consequences
are good ones. A recent Economic Impact Study executed by the MMGA in cooperation with Outlaw Hill Health and Sustainability Institute, LLC and Solutions for Montana projected that over 1,400 jobs have been created with a significant impact on other related businesses that supply the medical cannabis community. These include local nurseries, power companies and landlords who have been able to rent many otherwise vacant buildings. The economic boom includes new jobs in both the cannabis industry and those businesses supporting and benefiting from the industry. As with any other industry, the influx of money into the local area is a good thing for everyone. The Montana State Legislature is currently reviewing the Medical Cannabis law to see what changes may be necessary in order insure this new industry has appropriate regulation to maintain effective caregiver/ patient relationships. We are becoming an integral part of the issues at both the State and local level. It’s really not that difficult to find common ground. It does require taking a responsible look at the issues by all interested parties to make certain that everyone remembers that the patient comes first. During testimony before the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee this past summer, the panel was informed that the medical cannabis community was more than willing to work to clarify guidelines and to offer assistance in formulating a more cohesive law that would be more in line with what Montanans voted for in 2004. Members of the MMGA have been asked to participate in this critical discussion in preparation for the new legislative session. It was a proud moment for a relatively new grassroots group to be given the opportunity to participate in the rewrite of a law that will benefit all of our patients. Prior to the November election all candidates were surveyed on their view of medical cannabis. Many replied that they needed more information on the subject before they could offer any opinion. In response to that the MMGA developed The 2011 Legislators’ Guide to Medical Cannabis, A Comprehensive Guide to Medical Cannabis in the State of Montana which addresses the majority of the issues facing the 2011 legislature providing background and recommendations. Copies of this guide were distributed to all legislators to assist them in understanding the issues and facts about medical cannabis. An educated legislator is a responsible legislator. Copies of the guide may be downloaded at www.solutions4montana.org. For those interested in joining the MMGA, applications may be downloaded from the MMGA website www.montanamedicalgrowers. org. For more information, write to info@montanamedicalgrowers.org or call 800-518-9113. Jim Gingery is the Executive Director of the Montana Medical Growers Association.
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Strain Review:
BLUE DREAM LIFE’S A DREAM, SMOKE IT UP IT’S THE PERFECT SETTING: SUNNY DAY, HEADPHONES ON, JOINT IN HAND, DAYDREAMING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND NOTHING AT THE SAME TIME. THAT IS WHERE BLUE DREAM WILL TAKE YOU. PURE BLISS.
A high from the Blue Dream strain makes you feel like you’re up in the clouds. Above all the BS in life. You’re getting work done and making stuff happen. Putting life in motion. Living the dream, with nothing but clear blue skies ahead. Blue Dream is a member of the sativa species of Cannabis. A sativa high tends to involve more thinking, productivity, and increased energy in general. Significant levels of pain and nausea are usually also curbed. And while an indica strain will help you to relax, de-stress, chill out, and/or overcome insomnia, a pure sativa like this should inspire exercise, a deep conversation, or an ambitious to-do list. Fits of laughter and an overwhelming sense of well being are some other nice side effects. (Why is this stuff illegal again?) The physical characteristics of this strain consist of copious red hairs and crystals with a moderately sticky and dense feel. The smell is pungent and dank, a smell that almost gives you a high on its own. Blue Dream is very sweet, both before and after ingestion. It has an undeniable fruitiness. The blue part of its name likely comes from its partial roots in the blueberry strain. Dream is a somewhat odd choice of words, considering sleep is not often a part of the package. Day dreaming was probably the inspiration. Alternatively, with an indica you’re likely to dream while sleeping, although you probably won’t remember those dreams upon awakening. On the darker side of the Blue Dream, and sativa for that matter, many people become overwhelmed with paranoia, anxiety, and an increased heart rate. This can be a bit frightening, but shouldn’t last more than 10-15 minutes. An indica’s negatives would likely point towards laziness, forgetfulness, and a lack of motivation. Depending on what you’re needing, these negatives can quickly become refreshing positives. Marijuana is a person-to-person, situation-to-situation, strain-to-strain experience. Your high will often depend on the mental state, physical condition, and environment you bring to the table. And of course, one’s genetic makeup and health are undeniable factors. But when everything is right and you know it, it’s alllll good... and you know it. Overall a very pleasant experience is in store for the Blue Dream toker. It is a fairly cheap sativa, averaging around $45 for an eighth at most established dispensaries.
GO RIDE THE BLUE DREAM WAVE!
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by JAY EVANS Yo, Buddy? Do you have a Dime bag? - No, not that kind of dime bag, a Dime Bag?!? - Yes, the $10 kind, but not that kind of dime bag, it’s another type of $10 Dime Bag…. This Dime Bag will hold your piece, and has special pockets for your dime bag. - Yes, it’s a Dime Bag that can hold a dime bag….Look man, this could go on forever…. There is a new type of bag company… ok? They are called Dime Bag - are you still with me? -Good, ok this company called Dime Bag makes pouches and purses to hold all your sick glass pieces, when you want to take a hike, or tailgate, or whenever you just feel the need to roll with your piece. These bags are made from Hemp and Hempster, (a Hemp/Polyester blend) which makes the normally course and loose hemp cloth more durable, and colorful. With three different fabrics: 100% Hemp and Hempster for the handstitched exterior, and 100% organic Cotton for the interior, these bags are really cool. - Ya man, they’re Eco Friendly too… all while being super stylish and functional. There is even a “lifestyle series” which includes all types of everyday bags, like Computer bags, Duffle bags, Tote bags, and Backpacks. These bags all have spill and smell proof pockets, (which is great for public sessions) and stash pockets for that dime bag of yours. - Ya, I think you do need a Dime Bag, and they start around $10... Dude, put down your dime bag and go to your computer… Ok, now search for www.DimeBagsStorage.com. Ok, you see it? Good… Now get yourself a real Dime Bag.
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The Testing Revolution by MICHAEL GECI, MD
he dawn of a new day is emerging for Cannabis sativa in Montana. Science is again saving the day as the plant emerges from the back alley to the medical clinic. The slow evolution of public perception that the cannabis plant is NOT the scepter of Satan has begun. Although humans have used the plant for over 5000 years, Americans have been in the deep freeze of government propaganda about the plant for three quarters of a century. And you can bet that cannabis would have remained in the closet had it not been for science. It was just under 20 years ago that scientists first discovered that the human body naturally makes substances that are similarly produced in cannabis, called cannabinoids. And that opened the door to a rational explanation for why cannabis works as a medicine.
Cannabis as a medicine?
Can you imagine your doctor telling you to, ‘take two hits and call me in the morning?’ As life is Gaussian, surely there are a few doctors out there who would prescribe the plant like that, but not many. And that’s one of the problems. Too few doctors know anything about cannabinoids, let alone the endocannabinoid system. So it’s not surprising that so few physicians are comfortable recommending something as a medicine that is sold unmarked and unlabeled. Without knowing the active ingredients of a medicine, few doctors feel comfortable recommending cannabis. And few do. In Montana, less than a dozen physicians are responsible for 90% of the certifications that have been written for patients since the initiative, MT 148, was passed. That fact is what helped spur the popularity of the traveling cannabis clinics (or circuses, if you weren’t heavily medicated). Doctors are trained to prescribe medicine based on the dosage of the active compound(s). It’s a fancy way of talking about the potency of the drug. With a large majority of medicines, too much could kill you, too little...you have no effect. The dosage is a guide; a tool to use as a reference point to avoid drug toxicity. A mere 100,000 patients each year die from the toxicity of pharmaceuticals, most due to over dosage. So doctors understand that knowing the dose of a medicine they prescribe minimizes the risk of overdose, which, in turn, minimizes malpractice suits. Although cannabis has never been implicated in a lethal overdose, it is not necessarily a benign substance. Some people don’t appreciate the side effect profile that so many cannabis users enjoy. Some people don’t like to
get high. We’d hate to find grandma in the ER because the medicine she was given for her arthritis pain made her temporarily crazy. Despite it’s known medical benefits, the only substance in the plant that causes the psychoactive side effects is THC. Knowing how much THC you ingest gives you a relative scale of the degree of side effects you may likely encounter. Until recently, the only way to know the relative amount of THC in cannabis was to ingest it...and wait and see what happens. But if we knew how much THC was in the plant, well...that might be a different story. Enter the Shell science man. Chemists have recently turned their machines of science loose on cannabis. Spurred on by the hint of academic freedom suggested by the Obama administration, analytical labs have begun to pop up across the landscape of legal states. At least three states have private commercial labs that are testing cannabis for all sorts of things. Now the chemical secrets of the plant can be teased out on an expensive chromatography column. A wave of change is beginning. The dispensing of cannabis in plain Zip-Lock baggies is being replaced by child-proof medicine bottles (with labels warning of euphoric side effects) with percentages of THC, THCV, CBN, CBD, CBG, CBC and their respective acidic cousins. So what? Well…if your doctor knows the dose of the cannabis and he knows the cannabinoid profile, then is he going to feel more comfortable accepting cannabis as a plant-based medicine. They might even consider recommending it for their patients. And if more doctors were recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis there would not be a state in the country that would deny its citizenry the right to medicate as they saw fit. Currently, Montana has two analytical labs specializing in cannabinoid profiling. Montana Botanical Analysis has recently begun the “Plant to Product” program, targeting dispensaries and caregivers in an effort to have 100% of their medicine tested. Everyone loves it. Testing not only legitimizes the claim that the plant is truly medicinal, but also equals the playing field it shares with other herbal medicines. Probing the plant for its secrets and listing those compounds on the label somehow makes the plant seem less scary. Now, tested cannabis products can begin to be treated like a medicine. Patients, physicians, and politicians can feel secure that the cannabis that is being produced and sold to patients is being dosed. The days of wondering are over. Science has always worked to allay the fears of the unknown, and in today’s medical cannabis movement we find no exception. Science has shown us that this plant can be our friend, rather than an agent of moral demise.
The secret is out. The revolution has begun. Dr. Michael Geci is the Founder and CEO of Montana Botanical Analysis, the first analytical laboratory in Montana dedicated to the study and analysis of medical cannabis. www. MontanaBotanicalAnalysis.com
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P O T S
www.advancedfarmingofmontana.com
KALISPELL
755-0964
(406)
3792 Hwy 2 East, beside Jagz Restaurant 32
SSV In a twist of irony Steve’s story represents the quintessential tale of the American entrepreneur. As Silver Surfer Vaporizers continues to gain international presence in the world of smoking accessories and beyond, each failure and success of the company ultimately rests with Steve. So far the successes have outweighed the failures, and regardless, Steve has a unique ability to take what might be considered debilitating failure and turn it into great success. It is not surprising over the last few years Silver Surfer has sold thousands of products across the globe and developed a brand recognized for making some of the finest vaporizer products available. Silver Surfer Vaporizers is the result of a combination of Steve Kelnhofer’s hard work and determination to prove himself the best at what he does, his wits as a business man to know what people want and how to give it to them, and his misfortunes (or fortunes depending how you look at it) due to the legal status of a certain plant. Steve started out his career completing a five year apprenticeship program and working as a union electrician. However, in 2002 he was charged with cultivation of cannabis and was laid off for violating company policy. Out of work and unable to practice his trade, Steve viewed this as an opportunity to begin his own business. He considered starting a clothing line but realized he did not have the necessary start-up capital requirements, so instead he teamed up with a friend who worked at
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Silver Surfer Vaporizers by JOHN GREEN
an adult toys distribution center, started a company called 7th Floor, bought a book on HTML, and spent three months learning how to code and building a website selling sex toys online. For a few months things were good for Steve and his website. He figured that people like sex and if they were inclined to purchase accessories to make it better they would go to Google, and through whatever inquiry submitted geared towards the indulgence of their fantasies, if his site was among the top rankings for search returns his business would be successful. His site sat near the top and attracted a good deal of traffic until Google changed their algorithm, dropping Steve’s site from relevance to the throngs of online sex toy buyers. What seemed like another failure provided Steve with inspiration to consider a new venture, leading to what would become the Silver Surfer. Steve had been using his friend’s vaporizer for over a year and loved it compared to the traditional smoking experience, however he noticed issues with the poor design of this vaporizer and became disappointed because it was continuously breaking and needed to go into the shop for repair. Steve decided to use his experience as an electrician to build his own vaporizer. Steve researched the parts he needed for the heater and the tube, and built his first vaporizer from home with his old tools by hand. The basic functioning model was complete except for the glass. Steve searched his town for someone to help make the parts he needed,
but with no luck turned to the internet where he bought a book on glass blowing. He picked up the proper supplies, set up a small glass blowing studio, and spent a couple months learning how to make the pieces needed to fit his vaporizer. Finally, Steve had the first Silver Surfer model up a running. Steve soon turned his house into a Silver Surfer production center, making six more models of the same version as the first vaporizer for his friends, and using his personal experience of making each product and criticism from his friends to continue to refine the Surfer. After this Steve saw the potential of the distinct vaporizer model he created and began to consider how to bring the product to the greater market and expand his 7th Floor company. Steve went at it for over a year and a half building and selling vaporizers from his house, hiring employees to handle production and assembly, outsourcing part orders to production factories in China and other countries to reduce costs, selling products independently through Ebay, and developing the Silver Surfer brand from the ground up. Demand soon overwhelmed the space available and Steve moved into his own head shop creating a retail outlet for the Surfer and other products. Today Silver Surfer has grown into a major presence in smoking culture focused on delivering unique variations of smoking and vaporizing devices and accessories and selling their products online through a few partnering e-commerce retailers as well as in smoke shops around the world including the USA, Canada, Australia, and countries in Europe and Asia. The Silver Surfer is still the mainstay of the company, featuring top quality in functionality and design in addition to unlimited options for customization of glass knobs, wands, covers, mouthpieces, and logos. The piece is extremely durable, easy to use and maintain, and delivers an excellent vaporizing experience that is healthier than smoking while still producing the desired effect, tasting great, incorporating oil diffusion to enhance the scent, and conserving product in the process. Beyond the Surfer, the company has the Da Buddha vaporizer which is a cheaper alternative to the Silver Surfer appealing to
a greater quantity of users still placing importance on function and design, but featuring less options for art and customization. Recently, the Life Saber vaporizer has been introduced as a portable vaporizing option again placing the same importance on durability, function, and design as the rest of the line. The company also sells a wide variety of other accessories from glass to grinders, not to mention their own line of SSV clothing. Steve plans to further expand the Silver Surfer and his other products by overcoming key challenges such as meeting demand for products, continuing to make business operations more efficient, and meeting the funding required for growth by staying true to his original design principals while developing new products and building the Surfer brand through sponsorships of artists and musicians who can help spread the word. If you would like to share some of Steve’s success it is highly recommended you check out the Silver Surfer and the other product offerings from his 7th Floor.
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WE DIG THIS
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Montana’s Gift by Jay Evans Montana’s Glacier National Park is an outdoor person’s paradise. What doesn’t this 1,000,000 acre section of the U.S-Canadian border have? With parts of the Rocky Mountains, over 130 lakes, more than 1,000 plant species and hundreds of animal species within its borders, it’s no wonder this region of federally protected land is the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.” The Blackfeet and Flathead Native American tribes dominated the area until European explorers arrived. By 1910, the Great Northern Railway was constructed, allowing for hotels and chalets to be built in the area. The GoingTo-The-Sun Road, later designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, now allows greater accessibility for automobiles into the heart of this park. Glacier’s pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes make any experience here a memorable one. With over 700 trails to hike, there is a lifetime worth of adventures to be had. The wilderness and solitude make for a picturesque backdrop, and the winter season is no exception. As the crowds leave, and the snow caps the landscape, the unmatched scenery and mountainous sports become a way of life here. Being such a natural gift, and a wondrous place to learn about the eco-system, the park inspires education throughout. There are many programs and resources for students of all ages to explore. While the history remains timeless, the Glacier National Park embraces technological relevance, using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and Flickr to entice daily viewings and lure people to the beauty and adventures that await them here. For more information on visiting Glacier National Park, contact their visitor information at 406-888-7800, or visit them on the web at www.NationalParkReservations.com or www.NPS.gov. Happy Trails!
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It’s a blessing that February is a short month. Winter is on the verge of wearing out her welcome and enough is nearly enough. If you are like a lot of us, February can be a rough go of things. Tired of winter, dried out from having the heat on constantly and the holidays long behind us, it’s easy to feel the mid-winter funk that February always seems to bring. Sure there is Valentine’s Day to look forward to, if you are actually looking forward to it. (Note: Some college buddies of mine once started a Valentine’s Day tradition that I love and honor when appropriate. Every year on the 14th of February, they would get dressed up as if they were taking a date to dinner and spend a few afternoon hours at the shooting range and then go out to a bar after and celebrate the exodus of exes past. Feel free to use it. It’s a good one.) I digress. Winter blues are easily remedied by the weekend getaway. Sometimes just waking up in a different town is enough to recharge the batteries. So if you are sick of looking at your street and your boss and even your dog seems slightly depressed, think about taking a quick trip. This month’s focus is on the spectacularly beautiful Paws Up Resort located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula, in Greenough—a little town nestled in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley.
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Paws Up The Resort at Paws Up is a destination that takes you back in time and far away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. The 37,000 acres of pristine Montana wilderness is inviting to every kind of traveler, from the wealthy to the backpacker. The trick is to get a group of friends together and rent one of the luxury homes or luxury tents. Obviously you want to do the tent thing in the summer. Spring is an excellent time to head up there if you want to catch some peace, quiet and wildflowers for miles. There are no shortages of things to do at Paws Up, but do check out the website or call them to find out what is happening at the time you want to go. Next winter, don’t miss out on some of the great times at Paws Up. It’s a great alternative to the usual ski trip and with the right combination of friends, clear days and free time, The Resort at Paws Up may be just the winter halftime trip to keep you cheering for Spring.
Cross Country Skiing/ Snowshoeing Downhill skiing is available 45 minutes away but if you want to stay close, Paws Up is a great place to strap on the cross-country skis. The space is so vast that you may think you really are trekking all the way across the country, but the scenery is beautiful and it’s a great workout to boot. The resort offers rental and trail maps for the ambitious cross-country skier and snowshoer. The guided trips are full of good information and a lot of fun.
Snowmobiling, ATV Tours The Garnet Mountain Range is an excellent place to get your RPMs on. It seems like everywhere you adventure, there is nothing but fresh powder and curious animals waiting for you. The guides have a lot of fun on these tours and if you’re more comfortable behind a machine than strapped in a pair of tennis racket-like shoes, I highly recommend it. Summer activities include: Horseback tours, legendary fly fishing, river rafting, ATV tours, shooting sports, hot air ballooning, backcountry fishing and camping, rappelling and more. It’s never too early to plan!
www.pawsup.com
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IN 2009-2010, the number of registered patients in Montana’s medical marijuana system skyrocketed. Controversially, many new patients are young people diagnosed as suffering from “chronic pain.” Adding to the public’s and public officials’ concern is the rise of the unregulated marijuana store, or “dispensary”, responsible for selling “medicine” to the ballooning ranks of registered patients. As of February 2011, the state legislature is mulling over more than a dozen bills intended to get the program under control. The consternation and confusion are understandable. After all, there is no objective definition of “medical use”. Marijuana certainly has medical benefits for many people. But the question of “is this person’s use medical enough?” cannot be answered objectively. This ambiguity will plague policymakers as long as we are forced to evaluate policies within the context of “medical marijuana.”
ited quantities at home, or purchase from licensed retailers who are responsible for verifying the age of the buyer and acquire wholesale product from licensed producers. It’s not a perfect system, but it works Third, we’re experiencing an economic downturn of historic proportions. Projections of Montana’s budget shortfall is in the tens of millions of dollars. Whether you’re a marijuana consumer or you choose to abstain, these “canna-businesses” represent a real and growing sector of our state economy, and most are actually eager to be taxed.
FINALLY, MONTANA IS A BASTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY. Allowing citizens to decide which plants they grow in their garden for personal consumption is consistent with those principles. There is simply nothing wrong with responsible adult cannabis consumption, and public policies to the contrary represent a significant waste of our scarce and precious criminal justice resources.
THE SOLUTION? A REGULATED MARKET FOR ALL ADULTS. Eliminating the requirement that one must have a documented medical condition is the only rational path out of the medical marijuana conundrum. It solves many problems at once and acknowledges the scientific truth that cannabis is safer than prescription and over the counter drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.
IN THE FIRST PLACE, the best way to protect people for whom marijuana provides medical benefits is to remove the bureaucratic barriers currently posed by the medical marijuana registration and renewal system.
SECOND, WE HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED a working system of responsible regulation and tax collection for marijuana in our beer and brewery laws. It involves allowing individuals to create lim-
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OUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA SYSTEM has been and is a blessing to many people with debilitating medical conditions.
NOW, RATHER THAN DEVELOP REACTIONARY new restrictions and continue the impossible-to-resolve debate about what constitutes “legitimate medical use,” we should instead embrace this confluence of individual liberty and economic stimulus and regulate marijuana for all adults.
Since he started the organization in 1998, John Masterson has been the executive director of Montana NORML, an official chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
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Warm Sounds of
Winter Every month, Kush magazine will serve you with some for the finest picks from the world of live music around this lovely state of Montana. Live music has to be one of the most commonly paired activities with marijuana, so why not find the best live music along with the best in kush? Take a peak each month to see what you might be missing out on if you don’t see too many shows. We love music, and we want you to love music too... in person.
Copper Mountain Band 2.11.11 & 2.12.11 @ The Sunrise Saloon (Missoula) Playing two consecutive nights at the Sunrise Saloon in Missoula, this high-energy country music band with roots in Montana are a show that all music fans should be able to appreciate. Copper Mountain Band released their debut studio album in 2009, which received significant international notice, as well as consistent radio play on stations around the Northwest. They have opened for and backed some pretty big names in the game, and for good reason. It’s a live set that just puts a smile on your face. Between lead singer Jacque Jolene’s beautiful vocals and the rest of the band’s uptempo twang, this is a good old fashioned redneck party not worth missing. See you at Sunrise Saloon! coppermountainband.com
This Page: 3OH3! Right From Top: The Clintons, Eligh, Copper Mountain Band, Skee-Lo, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe 42
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe + Chali 2NA
2.16.11 @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge (Bozeman) Here’s one to get excited about... the “Tiny Tuna Tour” comes rolling in to Bozeman in February! Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe presents us with a pressure cooker of rhythm ‘n’ grooves that explodes into your ears in the most wonderful way. It’s a funky roller coaster ride of good vibes. Their live set has superstar Denson featured on vocals, tenor, alto sax and flute; Brian Jordan on guitar; Chris Stillwell pluckin’ the bass; David Veith poundin’ keys; Chris Littlefield blowin’ the trumpet; and John Staten smacking the drums. They’ve earned a reputation as kings of the unstoppable all-night show, and after listening to them for just a moment you can see how this would be an amazingly soulful experience full of good jams. Led by Denson, the Tiny Universe creates an atmosphere of happiness that is hard to place in the wold of live music. Meanwhile, Chali 2NA is an MC, a musician, actor, painter, and significant piece of the Jurassic 5. A “Renaissance Man”, if you will. His unmistakable and beloved baritone hits you like a semi truck made of cotton candy. An entertainer and artist to the core, Chalie 2NA will make you feel good. Such a great billing, and perfect opportunity to enjoy some weed and tunes in Bozeman, don’t miss it! karldenson.com; chali2na.com
Hairy Apes BMX 2.20.11 @ Top Hat (Missoula) Hairy Apes BMX (HABMX), led by Michael Dillon, brings an eclectic mix of rock, punk, jazz, latin afro-funk, and a little hiphop. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the 4-piece band combines a somewhat Spanish flavor with a hard rock sound typically found in punk music, giving the Apes a unique appeal that comes across wonderfully in their live set. Beginning their journey together in 1999, the band’s formation has been riddled with addiction of various sorts. Dave Abbruzzese of Pearl Jam was so impressed with HABMX upon first listen, he invited them into the studio to work on some tunes. Dave ended up producing and mixing their second album release, Out Demons, which received much appraise in the early 2000’s and sprung them into a very successful decade of playing in front of people all across the country. They should be a delightful choice on this February evening. We suggest you get to Top Hat! myspace. com/hairyapesbmx;
Eligh 2.22.11 @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge (Bozeman) 2.23.11 @ The Palace (Missoula) Los Angeles native Eligh comes up north to Montana for a couple nights of legendary Cali hip-hop at the Zebra Lounge in Bozeman, and The Palace in Missoula. Eligh is a member of the Livings Legends, the LA based indie rap crew which also includes Murs, The Grouch, Luckyiam, Aesop, and many more. While always collaborating and creating with other artists, Eligh most recently released his twelfth solo album, Grey Crow, which is worth picking up if you like real independent hip-hop with a positive message. Get out to one of these shows, you will not be disappointed! facebook.com/therealeligh
Skee-Lo, Eternal (Wu-Tang/Killa Beez) 2.24.11 @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge (Bozeman) 2.25.11 @ The Railyard (Billings) I really do wish I was a little bit taller, and Skee-Lo made it ok to express this frustration back in the mid-90’s. That hit song, ‘I Wish’, may have pegged Skee-Lo as a one-hit-wonder, rising to number #13 on the billboard charts and having many shorter people around the world wishing they had a “rabbit in a hat with a bat and a six-four impala”. But Skee-Lo can still bring it and should not be discounted here. Joining the short guy is Eternal, a rapper endorsed by the west coast Killa Beez of the Wu-Tang family. Great billing, great times. myspace.com/skeelomusic; myspace.com/eternalkv
The Clintons 2.26.11 @ Shrine Auditorium (Billings) The Clintons are an energetic Pop/Rock/Country band driven by four Montana products. Their music is inspired by the songwriting of John Mayer, the quirk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and loud-and-proud attitude exemplified by Big & Rich... not a bad list. From right here in Montana, The Clintons got their start in 1999 at a frat party, on the upper floor of the Story Mansion in Bozeman. Since then they’ve played almost 1,000 shows, touring around the western half of the US and occasionally sharing the stage with some “pretty cool and respectable bands.” The Clintons are officially endorsed by Jim Beam, which is pretty cool... not to mention being Gibson’s Acoustic New Artist of the Year back in 2008, which is quite respectable. Scoot your booty down to Shrine in Billings on the 26th.www.clintonsband.com
3OH3! 3.09.11 @ Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds (Helena) These Boulder, Colorado boys start a new year for themselves after absolutely EXPLODING into the mainstream last year. Playing at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds, these emothrash-rap-punk dudes had kids around the world doin’ “the Helen Keller” for months, and still put on a pretty rad live show. Talented guys that put on a really fun, high energy show that’s definitely worth seeing. www.3oh3music.com
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Plant Food for Thought Part 2
The Fertil izer Factors of Fine Cannabis
by JADE KINE
Happy New Year from the Grower’s Grove! My New Year’s resolution is to help as many growers as possible grow the finest Cannabis a garden can produce, so let’s get right to it to kick off 2011. As I mentioned in Part 1 of this article, less is more when it comes to fertilizer. Many of the nutrient standards being passed around on the internet today are much too high and are the result of nutrient manufacturers pushing growers to use more and more products on their gardens. Growers also need to be cautious following any fertilizer recommendations that are given in parts per million, or ppm, because the manufacturers of different meters use different math to determine the ppm numbers that they
Drain-to-Waste vs. Recirculating Systems Drain-to-Waste gardens are pretty self explanatory – the plants are watered and the resulting runoff of irrigation water or nutrient solution is allowed to “drain to waste”. Growers that prefer this garden style like the idea that their plants receive fresh nutrient solution on every watering. Recirculating gardens use a central reservoir to irrigate their crop and the runoff water runs back into the same reservoir for use again later. Growers that prefer recirculating systems like the efficiency and cost savings of reusing their nutrient solution. In recirculating systems, the reservoir must be checked daily for pH and EC (nutrient concentration). In drain-to-waste systems, growers can monitor the pH and EC of the garden’s runoff water to better determine how much to fertilize. But before we look at the runoff water, we need to first look at how certain grow mediums accumulate nutrients. The most important factor regarding nutrient build-up is CEC – it’s also one of the least referenced terms in Cannabis horticulture.
WTF is CEC? Cation Exchange Capacity, or CEC, is a crucial factor to consider when fertilizing your garden. Simply put, Cation Exchange Capacity is a fancy way of saying “nutrient holding ability”. Different growing mediums have different CEC values giving them different abilities to “hold” nutrients. Mediums such as coco, peat moss, or soils have high CEC. That means that when nutrients are applied to them, the medium can hold onto a certain amount of those nutrients. Mediums with high CEC can help buffer plants from heavy doses of fertilizers. This is one of the primary reasons that soil or soilless mediums are recommended for less experienced growers – they are typically more forgiving when it comes to fertilizer application. The downside to CEC is that nutrients can accumulate over time in soil or soilless mediums
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reference. Many growers over feed their crops and because Cannabis is such an adaptive plant, it can often cope with significant overfeeding before showing outward signs of toxicity. This can lead to Cannabis product that looks nice, but burns harsh and heavy. Cannabis wants to grow big and strong and if given ample but not excessive nutrients, it will do just that. The question then becomes – how do I find that “ample but not excessive” fertilizer level for my garden? Well, many factors can be involved in finding just the right nutrient concentration for your crop. When growers understand these factors and their effect on the garden, they can make the best decisions when it comes to fertilizer. if nutrient solution is used on every watering. Many times over the year, growers in drain to waste gardens have come to me and described garden symptoms that sound like overfeeding. When I mention the possibility of overfeeding, many of them will say that it can’t be overfeeding because they are only applying light doses of fertilizers. But if they are applying the same light dose over and over again without occasionally giving plain water to their plants, the nutrients will eventually accumulate to toxic levels. (Mediums like rockwool, perlite, vermiculite and other inert materials have very low CEC if any. The plants are forced to drink the nutrient solution “as-is” without any buffer from the medium. This gives hydroponic growers more control, but also is more sensitive to swings in pH or EC). The easiest way for growers to avoid nutrient accumulation in mediums with a high CEC is to monitor the nutrient concentration in the garden’s runoff water.
Monitoring Runoff in Drain to Waste Systems Each time a medium with high CEC is watered, it accumulates a small amount of nutrients. For instance, let’s suppose that a grower is feeding 1000 ppm to their garden every 3 days. If you check the ppm level of the runoff each time, you’ll notice that the ppm value will go up each time – maybe 1050 on the second watering, then 1150 on the next, over 1200 on the next. When the runoff nutrient level is 20% higher than the desired set point, growers can give the garden a watering of plain water. Alternatively, they can just reduce the amount of their base nutrient – such as feeding with a half strength solution – in order to compensate for accumulation while still maintaining a very consistent fertilizing level. If a grower is keeping close tabs on the EC level of the garden’s runoff, they can see accumulation before it actually becomes overfeeding.
(continued on page 46)
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Monitoring a Recirculating System
In a recirculating system, nutrient levels in the root zone should match the value in the reservoir and therefore shouldn’t require checking the runoff. However, as the water level of the nutrient solution goes down, the EC value rises. Topping off with plain water or mild nutrient solution easily dilutes the solution to it’s original set point. The factor that needs the most attention in a recirculating system is pH.
little p, Big H
The “p” in pH is often defined differently – “potential” to some, “percentage of ” to others or sometimes “power of ” depending on the reference. The H always stands for hydrogen. In practical terms, pH is the 1 – 14 scale that measures acid vs. alkaline. 7 is neutral. Cannabis prefers slightly acidic soil for optimum nutrient availability. I usually recommend aiming for a pH of roughly 6.0. Hydroponic growers using rockwool may want a slightly more acidic solution (5.7 – 5.9) to counteract the alkalinity of the rockwool. Soil growers can have excellent results anywhere between 6 and 6.5. The most important thing is simply to check your pH often. Many nutrient manufacturers are using larger amounts of pH buffers in their formulations in an attempt to sell growers on the idea that they won’t have to check their pH at all. While the addition of extra buffers does help control pH to some degree, it is not a substitute for checking the pH regularly. Many factors can affect pH and growers who do not keep an eye on it are often surprised at how a previously stable nutrient solution can drift to an inappropriate pH value. Just as I mentioned with fertilizer concentration, growers should also test the pH of their garden’s runoff water to make sure it is within the parameter. If the pH is too low or too high, growers can water with a more acidic or basic solution to compensate. pH meters are an easy way to keep an eye on pH, but growers need to calibrate them often in order to ensure their accuracy. Personally, I still use pH reagent drops to measure pH. A few drops in a sample of solution will turn the water a certain color and the color chart on the bottle displays the corresponding pH value. They’re extremely cheap (8-10 bucks at any hydro store), easy to use, never need to be calibrated and do not rely on any mechanical parts that can fail. Some say that the interpretation of color can be subjective and lead to variations of a few tenths of a point, but small variances won’t matter. The only time I wouldn’t recommend the reagent tester is if the grower had any degree of colorblindness (obviously). Then you’d definitely want a digital meter. Growers simply need to stay within the basic range of nutrient availability. The attached pH chart shows the basic concept of nutrient availability according to pH. Somewhere around 6.o, all the nutrients have a wide band of availability. At significantly higher or lower pH values, certain nutrients become less available. Now that we can see the basic idea, I feel it’s important to note that growers shouldn’t take these charts as perfect gospel. This particular pH chart is the most commonly represented pH chart in horticultural literature. It is also one of the oldest and was based on an outdoor soil (I’ve never found a reference to which kind of soil). In recent years, other pH charts have come out and show a similar, but slightly different relationship between nutrients and pH. One in particular is for “hydroponics” but none of the sources
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ever indicate what type of hydroponic system or what medium was used to develop the chart. Honestly, I think that every medium – soil, rockwool, clay pebbles, etc. - would have their own pH chart. Based on many years of practical experience, I’d say they would all be slightly different yet similar enough to show that somewhere near 6 is a wide availability of all essential nutrients. Don’t get too lost in the charts, just keep your pH somewhere near 6 (within a few tenths) and check that it is within parameter as regularly as you can. If the pH swings out of line for any reason, the garden will start to suffer and show nutrient imbalances.
Outdoor Fertilization When it comes to outdoor fertilizers, organic products yield the best results for many reasons. Synthetic fertilizers for outdoor growing frequently use large amounts of urea and/or ammonia. These are forms of nitrogen that don’t break down quickly and can injure populations of beneficial soil microbes. Because of their extremely slow release, they can frequently stay in the soil too late in flowering. Too much nitrogen too late in flowering can have many ill effects for your garden. Even small amounts of ammonia based nitrogen late in flowering can lead to a poor, grassy tasting product. Larger amounts can cause malformed flowers or lack of flower set on the plants. Faster release organic fertilizers such as high-nitrogen bat guano has a relatively high amount of nitrate nitrogen and breaks down quickly in the environment. It also aids in the growth of soil microbes, which in turn help to break it down faster.
The Importance of Beneficial Microbes
Speaking of microbes, the role of beneficial microorganisms is crucial for the health of Cannabis crops in many ways but especially with nutrient absorption. Mycorrhizae fungi, for example, help plants absorb nutrients more effectively by colonizing on the roots, thereby expanding their root mass. The fungi break down nutrients, especially phosphorous, and deliver them to the plant roots. Some species of mycorrhizae even grow into the plant roots like IV’s and deliver the nutrients directly into the plant’s vascular system. Many nutrient companies make products that blend
various soil microbes together into all-in-one inoculants. Products like Subculture, ZHO and Great White are readily available in most hydroponic stores. Recently, I’ve heard very positive reports from several growers regarding a new mycorrhizae product called White Widow from Humboldt Nutrients. In addition to these inoculants, I like to use compost starter bacteria when amending outdoor soils or using organic fertilizers. These beneficial bacteria break down nutrients into their most soluble forms and are typically much cheaper than other inoculants. An old favorite of mine is a product called Compostar available from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply. Their website is www.groworganic. com. They’re actually one of my favorite suppliers and carry a ton of organic fertilizers, pest controls, inoculants and composting/compost tea products at much cheaper prices than many hydro stores. Their shipping is fast and cheap and their catalog is a must for organic and outdoor growers. It even includes a chart that lists the relative availability of different organic fertilizers so growers know which ones have a faster or slower release.
Rinsing Agents: Friend or Foe? The use of rinsing agents on Cannabis crops has increased dramatically in recent years but few growers understand what the products are or how they work. Many nutrient companies recommend using these products in the final week of flowering to help rinse accumulated nutrients out of the medium. In most cases, however, these products are unnecessary and can lead to a harsh finished product on their own. As I talked about in part 1 of this article last month, less is more when it comes to fertilizer. Growers shouldn’t really need applications of rinsing agents if the fertilizer level is kept at ample but not excessive levels through the flowering period. Rinsing agents are simply fertilizer chelators that haven’t been bonded to fertilizers. Chelators are chemical agents that are frequently added to fertilizer reagents in order to make them more mobile in solution and more available to plants. For instance, it is common to see a series of letters following the minerals in a conventional fertilizer. For example, Iron EDTA is Iron bonded to the chelator EDTA. In the case of rinsing agents, the products simply use chelators like EDTA but don’t bond them to any fertilizers. So when the chelators are applied to mediums that have an accumulation of fertilizer, they act
kind of like a solvent – to loosen up fertilizers and make them more soluble again. In theory, this can help growers rinse more effectively. However, many growers simply add the rinsing agent to their reservoir in the final week without doing any water rinses afterward. This can cause the chelators to re-mobilize the accumulated nutrients and allow the plant to drink them at a time when growers want to get built up nutrients out of the root zone, not into the plants. Often, this situation can lead to a product that is as harsh as non-rinsed crops. If a grower is determined to use rinsing agents, it is best to add them to your reservoir at the beginning of the rinsing period, cycle the system for half an hour or so and then dump that solution. Refill the reservoir with plain water and resume your regular watering schedule. I would even turn off the lights in my garden during the chelator rinse to prevent the plants from drinking the chelated solution. The bottom line is that you want your plants to drink plain water in that final week, not old fertilizer build-up and unbonded chelators. As far as I’m concerned, water is still the best rinsing agent and should easily reduce fertilizer in the root zone with a few good flushes. Rinsing agents are really just one more overpriced and unnecessary product that nutrient companies have invented to sell more product. Despite the widespread notion that these are essential products, they’re probably far more expensive than simply cycling a few reservoirs of plain water through the plants until the runoff solution is as low as you can get it. Aim for having just a few hundred ppm of fertilizer in your medium or reservoir and your Cannabis should be well rinsed enough to burn cleanly. And again, (I know I’ve said this already) just don’t overfeed in the first place. The idea that you should feed, feed, feed, more, more, more and then a magic bottle will reverse all of that in the final week is simply not true. When it comes to rinsing agents, growers will save money and improve their crop quality with just some good old fashioned water.
Healthy Standards and Starting Points Unrooted clones should be given a light nutrient solution of 0.2 – 0.3 EC (a few hundred parts per million roughly). Rooted clones in an early vegetative state can take a little more (0.5 – 0.7) and can be built up to 1.0 – 1.2 as they become more established. In flowering, plants can start around 1.2 – 1.5 and peak around 2.0 (1000 ppm or 14oo ppm depending on what meter you’re using). Sativas like drinking lots of water with a relatively dilute concentration of nutrients. Indicas can tolerate higher concentrations, some of them up to 2.5, although not all of them prefer concentrations that high. Remember, tolerance is not preference. Just because they can take it doesn’t mean they like it or are growing better because of it. Organic nutrients frequently don’t read as accurately on EC meters so lower amounts should be used until the grower is familiar with the nutrients and the plant’s reaction to them. I know these are relatively loose guidelines, but how much to feed a garden depends on many factors including genetics, environment, medium, nutrient type and more. Growers in the increasingly competitive market of medical Cannabis production should be more concerned of overfed crops that won’t pass a dispensary’s quality controls than of lack of yield from underfeeding (which almost never happens). Start light, increase cautiously, monitor your EC and pH regularly and remember that less is often more. (Growers Grove writer Jade Kine is a former greenhouse manager for the medical Cannabis industry with over a million plants worth of experience. He is also the founder of CannAcademy, a trade school dedicated to horticultural training for growers. Got a grow question for Jade? Drop him a line at JadeKine@gmail.com Complete bio at JadeKine.com)
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Few criminal offenses come with their own ad campaign. “Don’t Drink and Drive” is something we have all come to know through decades of print, radio and television commercials. But the well-worn phrase can be a little deceptive. The fact is, it isn’t illegal to drink and drive; it’s illegal to be in control of a vehicle on the ways of the state while under the influence of either alcohol or any drug. The difference is not just the legalese – drugs that can lead to DUI charges be illegal or legal, prescribed or not prescribed. In the eyes of law enforcement and our courts, driving while under the influence of THC – whether for medical reasons or not - is as much a DUI as a “drunk” getting behind the wheel. Law enforcement is highly trained and well practiced at investigating DUI’s and prosecuting attorneys do not generally drop charges or allow people to plead to lesser offenses. The penalties are severe and can end professional driving or even military careers. The stigma of a conviction alone can lead many “regular folks” to a jury trial based simply on principle. 48 48
In recent months, both law enforcement and the press have stepped up attention on impaired driving by marijuana users, and in particular, medical cannabis users. It is important for patients to keep several things in mind as they go about their daily lives. First, being a medical marijuana patient does not give you a “get out of jail free card” if you are driving under the influence of cannabis. Any patient with prescription medication can have too much on board to drive safely, and the same is true for cannabis. Importantly, medical marijuana users can sometimes have a false sense of security – hey, you’re legal, right? The reality is that while the state may not have a problem with your possession or private use of cannabis as medicine, it has no bearing on how it looks at you as a driver. Second, driving while “under the influence” is an incredibly broad standard, and it is very subjective – meaning that it often comes down to the opinion of the officer and, ultimately, a jury.
If you drive too slowly and you consumed cannabis earlier in the day, is that impaired driving? What if you are nervous while talking with law enforcement and the officer says he can smell it in your car? Or you have red eyes and took a wide turn? An investigation of impaired driving comes down to the officer’s assessment of these types of indicators. Ultimately, it’s up to a jury to determine whether or not those observations add up to evidence of impaired driving. Another part of the DUI law, being “in control of a vehicle,” is also very broad in its use by our courts. It does not simply mean driving. A case can be made that a person with keys to a car while near the vehicle is in control of it. I have seen several cases in which a person found asleep in a car (even the back seat) is woken by law enforcement and cited for DUI when the person tells law enforcement they were sleeping it off before driving. People who smoke or otherwise consume cannabis while sitting in an idling car – or even while having keys with them while the car is not running – could possibly be subject to a DUI investigation on the same basis. The key phrases in the law, “upon the ways of the state”, also sounds deceptively simple. It not only means the highways and roads, but Montana’s courts also include private parking lots and other private property. Simply put, if a car can go there, it’s a way of the state. The solution for patients? I suggest we treat cannabis use like alcohol when it comes to driving. If you consume cannabis and it even arguably affects you, don’t drive. I would also recommend staying away from your own parked car as a place to smoke cannabis. If that is your best option, leave the keys with someone else if possible. Sitting in a car full of cannabis smoke while appearing ready to pull out of the parking lot at any moment is a huge red flag – it’s within seconds of a dangerous driving situation from the perspective of law enforcement. Your intentions may not make the slightest difference under those circumstances.
needs to prove compared with an impairment-based DUI. It’s not so much about indicators of impaired driving, as it’s about a read-out on a machine. It is also this type of DUI where many governments, including members of Montana’s legislature, are turning to in light of the perceived increase use of cannabis in society. The idea is to create a type of DUI per se charge specifically for THCbased impairment. If a specific amount of THC is present in a person’s bloodstream, it doesn’t matter how he or she was driving – it’s considered impaired driving as a matter of law. In Colorado, proposed legislation sets a specific limit of 5 nanograms of THC/mL of a person’s blood. Incredibly, Montana’s proposed bill House Bill Number 33, introduced by Representative K. Peterson, would change Montana’s current DUI laws so that a person is DUI per se if there is ANY THC or its metabolites in a person’s bloodstream while in control of a vehicle. Given that it can take a month or more for metabolized THC to leave a person’s body, it would effectively mean that all medical cannabis users are DUI any time they are in control of a vehicle. Essentially, over 23,000 Montanan’s would have to stop driving and generally keep away from vehicles. (Your tax dollars hard at work.) Smart policy would be to worry more about impaired driving than about chemicals in a person’s bloodstream. We obviously all want safe roads, but how can a person really be Driving Under the Influence if they aren’t, you know, under the influence of anything? Let’s hope our politicians can find a better way to address the issue through actual impairment testing. DUI’s are serious business, not just because of ad campaigns, but because the harm they can cause is both devastating and avoidable. But let’s not lose sight of the real point – protecting citizens – and not turn DUI law into something that looks more like a drug-war relic of the 80s. Please, let’s all be careful out there and use good judgment as you consider driving.
In Montana, there are two types of alcohol-based DUI, and the penalties are only slightly different. The first is what I consider the traditional one - a person is found to be impaired because of the way he or she is driving or behaving while interacting with law enforcement. This type of DUI investigation is its own specialized bit of police work, and officers receive training in this type of DUI detection while in school and regularly during their careers. These impairment-based DUI’s are the types of investigations that give us the road-side tests like the walkand-turn or the one-legged stand. It is this type of DUI that THC-based DUI’s currently fall under. The other type of DUI is known as a DUI per se, and isn’t about impaired driving so much as it is about a readout on a breathalyzer. When we say that Montana has a “legal limit” of .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), it’s typically a reference to a DUI per se. If you have a BAC of .08 or above and you are in control of a vehicle on the ways of the state, you are by definition driving while impaired regardless of what is or is not actually going on in your head. These tend to be brutally short trials, because there is so little the prosecuting attorney 49 49
Cloning Your Way Here we are, staring down the barrel of another winter in Colorado, wondering- at least for some of us- how we’re gonna pass the time until the slopes and half-pipes open, and for others, how we’re going to avoid the annual case of cabin fever! I have the perfect solution- create your very own ‘clone army’ in your indoor growing space! Think of it- your favorite strains, multiplied by the dozens or hundreds, all marching to the beat of YOUR drum! If that doesn’t get you excited, you can always grab the snow shovel… All righty, then- the first thing to do when you set out to take cuttings of your favorite plants is to set up a proper ‘clone zone’. This is an area in your house where the temperature stays between 72 and 78 degrees and doesn’t change much, especially when the furnace kicks on. Remember that the lights you use will generate some heat, so factor in your fluorescent or CFL lighting- do a test setup- and use a good quality thermometer to check your temps. By the way, HID lighting isn’t recommended, as cuttings just don’t need and can’t handle that kind of light intensity. Unless you’re growing in a relatively unheated area, you shouldn’t need a warming met, so use one only as a last resort. Next, get yourself a tray with a humidity dome- stop by the lawn and garden department or any greenhouse or hydro store and they’ll be plentiful. I tend to stay away from the types that need fresh refills or new inserts for every new crop, since it runs into money and isn’t necessary if you do your homework on the soil. Speaking of… I use basic indoor potting soil and I add a little bit of rooting accelerator (NOT cloning solution, I’ll explain that application in a sec-), possibly a light application of natural pesticide drench, such as a neem oil based product to keep down fungus gnat larvae and spidermites, and some sort of beneficial microbe/micorrhizae inoculant powder, plus plant enzymes and vitamins. Keep the solutions used on the weak side of the manufacturer’s recommendationsand for the love of Gaea, do NOT use any fertilizer at this point! Keep in mind that these will be very tender, vulnerable cuttings and that they can’t handle much in the way of nutrients until after they’ve developed roots. Now, onto the setup- wet your soil until it drips a few drops when you clench it
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to Success, the Easy Way!
tightly in your fist. Then, gently place it into the cups of your tray, being careful not to pack it in place. Use a skinny pointy tool, like a chopstick, to poke a hole all the way down the middle of each cup for the stem of your new plant. Now, you’re ready to actually take the cuttings. I choose strong, healthy shoots from near the top of my plants, since the ones on the bottom are shaded, usually pale and spindly and often have mildew on them. You want them to be just tall enough to reach the bottom of the hole you made in the cup and still stick up 3 or 4 inches. Take your cuttings using a sharp blade like an exacto-knife, place them in a cup of cool water to soak for a minute or two, then trim off any leaves or side shoots that would be covered by the soil. Then, using the blade, gently scrape the bottom inch or so of the stem to expose the tissue just under the outer covering of the stem. This gives your rooting solution something to absorb into. I use a gel type rooting hormone since the gel sticks to the stem of the cutting better than powder or liquid. Carefully place the stem all the way down the hole into your soil, and tamp the soil in place around the stem with your finger. Gently now, since this is when your plants are at their very most fragile! Keep all your cuttings well misted, and for the next week or so keep the humidity dome in place as well, because without roots the cuttings won’t be able to draw any moisture up the stem to keep from wilting. After a week or so, gradually open your dome for an hour at a time until the plants are able to stand on their own. This will be easier- and your temps will be more stable- if you keep the humidity in your growing and cloning area above 50%. Yes, like any worthwhile skill it takes a little practice, but with attention to detail and some patience there is no reason why you should need a multi-zillion dollar super turbo monster cloning machine to achieve excellent results- and remember, clones are an exact copy of the original plant’s genetics so once they’ve hardened off, you’re dealing with a known quantity in terms of growth characteristics and horticultural preferences. So this winter, march down into your grow room and take command! Your clone army awaits! indoorcultivationconsulting@gmail.com
by Tyler C. Davidson
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Missoula Art Museum
by JAY EVANS
SomethingTo Be Thankful For 52
T
he more conversations I have regarding art - its power, impressions, storytelling, voices, and vignettes into other people’s minds and belief systems - the more I equate art to religion. There is more than just the obvious sacred nature, as both share power through impressions, storytelling, ideas, and the display or presentation of those ideas. Much like religion, many discussions revolving around the interpretation of art often end up with both parties shrugging their shoulders, questioning “...Hmmm? It could be…” It’s all left to conjecture. With all the mysteries of art and religion yet to be solved, this leads us to the question: If art = religion, can one consider a museum equal to a house of worship, or church or synagogue or mosque, with all the same sanctity and brilliance - a place where ideas are shared, discussed, and explored? The answer is a resounding ‘yes,’ and the Missoula Art Museum is a perfect standing example of such a comparison. Renovated in 2006, this state-of-the-art facility boasts six exhibition spaces, two classrooms, a library, an education center, and an amazing collection with full accessibility, all in the heart of downtown, and, best of all, free to the public. Once again, this sounds like a similar description of a church, but its not. MAM’s goal, like any community based house of worship, is to engage audiences in an exploration, and they do this very well. There is so much more than just quiet cavernous rooms filled with amazing art, merely leading to gift shops. The Missoula Art Museum is uniquely rich in culture and educational programming as well. MAM offers Art Classes that run through the Spring and include curriculum for all ages. There is Parent/Tot Art Fun for 2-3 year olds, followed by Preschool Art for 3-5 year olds, and Art Moments And Movements - Learning and Making for 7-12 year olds. For the more mature 18 and older audiences, they offer Open Life Drawing classes, providing ongoing sessions with live models. With a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, these classes can be an integral part to any artist’s exploration. Additionally, MAM recently added Open Studio Nights, a free monthly program for young people ages 13-18. The second and fourth Thursday of every month is reserved for these budding artistic minds. They get free reign of the museum - a chance to see the exhibits, live demos of new methods and materials, and work on their own art projects within this top facility. MAM features 20-25 solo and group exhibitions that rotate through the six new galleries. Here are some highlights to catch in the month of February, and through the Spring: MARVIE REDMOND: SKYSCAPES These works by Missoula artist Redmond explore skyscapes unique to our area. Like the Impressionists of the 1800s, these eleven oil paintings were inspired by natural observation.
SNAP ART: ART 4 ALL PROJECT This is your chance to be an artist, in a real gallery. This open art show solicits cell phone snapshots to produce an exhibition and mural to be displayed at MAM. Get involved and become an artist. BRANSON STEVENSON: A SHORT GLEAM This legendary Montana artist and lecturer will be featured through the month. See his paintings depicting Montana dating back to the 1930s. A nostalgic pictorial very well worth seeing. ANGELA BABBY: WOLAKOTA Featuring enameled art glass mosaics, and using mortar and tile board, these beautiful unique works include combinations of floral designs and portraits of significant tribal influences. THE WIDE OPEN - JANUARY - APRIL @ HOLTER MUSEUM OF ART, HELENA MT AND APRIL - JULY @ YELLOWSTONE ART MUSEUM, BILLINGS, MT This exhibition is pure Montana – a pictorial of the Northeastern Montana High Plains through the accomplished photographic eyes of Lee Friedlander, Lois Conner, and Geoffrey James. This depiction of the American Prairie Reserve will surely speak to locals and visitors alike.
O
kay, so maybe you won’t be going to go to the MAM every Sunday, but one certainly could. Much like your local house of worship, MAM has open doors and is always welcoming and encouraging new patrons. With special events like the First Friday of each month hosting an after work gallery opening, with beer, wine, and refreshments, MAM provides a great environment to relax, enjoy some art, and wind down with friends. Along with all the progressive educational programs and events, there is enough art, both old and new, to appreciate day in and day out, keeping art on the forefront of Missoula’s mind, so make it a point to visit the Missoula Art Museum this season. You’re sure to find something that’ll make you wonder aloud…
“Hmmm…”
Missoula Art Museum 335 North Pattee Street Missoula, MT 59802 (406) 728-0447 www.MissoulaArtMuseum.org
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DENVER AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY will never be the same following the three day KushCon II Cannabis Lifestyle Convention that took over the Colorado Convention Center last month. Leading up to the event were busses, billboards. radio and print ads all saying “Have a Kush Day�, come to KushCon. With over 35,000 people in attendance, more than 400 booths of vendors and organizations from all over the world, dozens of world-class keynote speakers, and some of the biggest names in the music industry, KushCon II shaped up to be the greatest medical cannabis event in history. And surveying the entirety of over 340,000 square feet at the Colorado Convention Center, the message of the medical marijuana revolution was never more evident: the movement is here, and it is here to stay. KushCon II showcased both the current state and future of the cannabis industry, embracing education, health, lifestyle, diversity, and continual expansion and advancement as its fundamental cornerstones. And all the while, everyone that came to partake in the festivities or to just check out all of the excitement had a great time! Diversity was present in every aspect of KushCon II, and it is one of the qualities that the evolution of this industry in its infancy has sincerely embraced. People attended the event from all over the world and almost every state in the country including medical cannabis states, such as Arizona, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, and Rhode Island, as well as non-medical states including New York, Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Arkansas. There were people of all ages, kids to senior citizens, people of all different races, occupations, and economic classes, current medical patients and
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curious newcomers. There were businesses ranging from medical cannabis dispensary centers to financial services companies, software engineers, cooking classes to legal advisors, security firms to edible manufacturers as well as glass blowers to prominent politicians. It is really not a fair statement to say that conventioneers were primarily comprised of any specific demographic. One medical cannabis testing company, for example, whose booth was continuously busy, is an independent research company that uses their laboratory to identify the particular chemical composition of a particular strain of marijuana. Employing PhDs as well as lab technicians, their scientific research allows dispensaries to more accurately prescribe medicine to fit patient’s needs, and at the same time assure the patient that the product is not contaminated with harmful pesticides. Advancement in technology also has come to both the way medical marijuana centers run their businesses to the ways in which patients medicate. The software created by one vendor brings hi-tech internet cloud technology to local dispensaries, ensuring that all of their patient and business records are in kept in strict compliance with state laws. There were numerous beverage and edible companies promoting state-of-the-art manufacturing and distillation processes, in conjunction with lab testing of their products, offering to provide the purest most suitable, and best tasting assortment of infused medicine to their patients. Business acumen and technology present at KushCon II equaled the diversity of the patrons in attendance. Professionals from a wide variety of industries are now bringing their expertise to the medical marijuana industry, expanding the possibilities of the cannabis world like never before. And as the technology expands, so does the user base; and as the amount of the users expands, so does the technology, and the synergy they give to one another is taking the industry to unprecedented levels.
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Several vendors expressed that they were very pleased with the results they achieved at KushCon II. Many said they completely sold out of the products they brought to sell. Others seeking new relationships and promote their services said they were very happy with their increased patient count following the show. KushCon II was also jam packed with first rate entertainment catering to a wide array of tastes. Musicians from equally diverse backgrounds and genres highlighted the concert series presented daily during all the three days of KushCon II. Day one saw rappers Mickey Avalon and Asher Roth perform alongside Colorado based super group, The Flobots. Saturday’s lineup followed with performances by Aaron Lewis of Staind, a set by Mix Master Mike of Beastie Boys fame, and a killer performance to close the evening by Rolling Stone Reggie- Rock breakout band of the year, The Dirty Heads. The mega concert series concluded on Sunday with special old school recording artists featuring Rock n Roll hall-of-fame inductee and former Santana Band founder and lead singer Gregg Rolie, and wrapping up with California funk delivered by 70s legends, War. Fittingly, it was the cannabis revolution that united such a seemingly disparate group of musicians. To accompany this list of artists spanning multiple genres and generations was the most extensive panel of influential activists and community leaders ever assembled to speak about the medical marijuana revolution, and medical cannabis industry ever assembled in the same place at the same time. Over 65 men and women—business owners, entrepreneurs, politicians, horticulturalists, and activists—spoke for more than 12 hours about the current and future state of the cannabis industry, covering financial, social, political and health issues on the national front as well as in Colorado, California and beyond. This panel addressed the desires of the attending public to be educated concerning the many pressing issues surrounding cannabis and combating complex inherent issues with tangible solutions to encourage the spread and sharing of usable and empowering knowledge to keep things moving in a positive direction. Once again, the diversity and breadth of the panel of speakers truly showcased the multiple facets of KushCon II. One panel comprised solely of women from all walks of the movement demonstrated the changes that have resulted due their respective and collective dedication and power that women in the cannabis movement have made and are continuing to make, past, present and future. And in between the vast array of first class entertainment and dissemination of invaluable information and education about Cannabis, KushCon found time to conduct the mega 4:20 give away of well over $100,000 of free gifts to the attendees including a fully equipped $46,000 mobile GrowBot cultivation system. Simply, the breadth and scope of KushCon II was unlike anything the cannabis industry has ever seen. Never before has there been such a large diverse group of people gathered under one roof to be a part of the growing medical cannabis insurgency. The organization and dedication to the cause by the patrons, participants, Kush Magazine, dailybuds.com performers, and speakers, has rightly shown the seriousness of this movement. It has without a doubt exposed to all, the political, social and economic power of cannabis. KushCon II has shown that the synergy of diversity, education, and advancements on every level have been and will continue to be the sources from which the medical marijuana revolution and the efforts to thwart prohibition will continue to thrive and expand into uncharted territories. For complete album of photos from KUSHCON visit DailyBuds.com
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New Orleans Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration CRAWDADDY SPREAD
CHEF HERB
INGREDIENTS -1 package (16 ounces) frozen cooked crawfish tails, thawed -1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened -1 medium green pepper, finely chopped -1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped -1 small onion, finely chopped -6 garlic cloves, minced -1/2 to 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning -1/3 cup THC olive oil -1/2 teaspoon salt -6 to 12 drops hot pepper sauce Assorted crackers
GO TO WWW.COOKWITHHERB.COM
DIRECTIONS Chop crawfish; pat dry. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the THC olive oil, peppers, onion, garlic, Creole seasoning, salt and hot pepper sauce; stir in the crawfish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with crackers. Yield: 3 cups.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
COOK WITH HERB &
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CAJUN OLIVE SALAD
YUMMY CORN BREAD
INGREDIENTS -1 cup pitted brine-cured black olives, such as Nicoise, sliced -1 cup large (queen) pimiento-stuffed olives, sliced -1/2 cup THC olive oil -2 Tablespoons minced shallots -2 Tablespoons finely chopped celery -2 Tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley -2 teaspoons minced garlic -1-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
INGREDIENTS -1 cup all-purpose flour -1 cup cornmeal -1/4 cup sugar -1/2 teaspoon baking soda -1/2 teaspoon salt -1 egg -1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat plain yogurt -1/4 cup THC oil
DIRECTIONS Combine black olives, green olives, THC oil, shallots, celery, parsley, garlic and pepper in a medium mixing bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt. Whisk together the egg, yogurt and oil. Stir in the dry ingredients just until combined. Transfer to an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm.
MUFFULETTA INGREDIENTS -1/2 cup finely chopped celery -1/2 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives, drained -1/2 cup sliced ripe olives, drained -1/2 cup giardiniera -1/3 cup finely chopped onion -1/3 cup THC olive oil -1/4 cup finely chopped green onions -1/4 cup minced fresh parsley -3 tablespoons lemon juice -1 teaspoon dried oregano -1 garlic clove, minced -1/8 teaspoon pepper -1 round loaf (24 ounces) unsliced Italian bread -1/4 pound thinly sliced hard salami -1/4 pound provolone cheese -1/4 pound thinly sliced deli ham DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Cut loaf of bread in half; hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 1-in. Shell (discard removed bread or save for another use). Brush cut sides of bread with reserved liquid. Layer bottom of bread shell with salami, half of the olive mixture, cheese, remaining olive mixture and ham. Replace bread top. Cut into wedges.
CRABBY GUMBO INGREDIENTS -1 pound fresh okra, washed, stems removed, and cut into 1-inch pieces (frozen okra may be used if fresh is unavailable) -1 large onion (about 1 cup), coarsely chopped -3 cloves garlic, minced -1/2 pound ham (preferably smoked), diced -1 small green pepper, minced -1 bay leaf -1 teaspoon salt, or to taste Generous sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper -1/3 teaspoon crushed red pepper -5 large tomatoes (about 2 to 2-1/2 cups), peeled and coarsely chopped -1/2 cup tomato sauce -1-1/2 cups water -½ stick THC Butter -2 pounds raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and rinsed -3/4 pound back fin crabmeat, cooked DIRECTIONS Combine okra, onion, garlic, ham, green pepper, bay leaf, salt, pepper, red pepper, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and THC butter in a large heavy kettle or Dutch oven. Bring just to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Add shrimp and crab. Simmer for about 15 minutes more.
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SAUSAGE AND CHICKEN GUMBO INGREDIENTS -1 (3 pound) whole chicken -1/2 cup all-purpose flour -1/2 cup THC olive oil -1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped onions -1 (10 ounce) package frozen green bell peppers -5 stalks celery, finely chopped -1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste -2 whole bay leaves -1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes -1 pound fully-cooked smoked beef sausage, sliced -1 (10 ounce) package frozen sliced okra salt and black pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Fill a large pot partially with lightly salted water, and place the chicken in the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook the chicken until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 1 hour. Remove the chicken from the broth, and crack open the carcass to allow the chicken to cool. Reserve the chicken broth. After the chicken has cooled enough to handle, pick the meat from the bones, and set aside. While the chicken is simmering, make a roux by whisking together the flour and THC olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir the mixture, watching constantly to avoid burning, until the roux is a rich chocolate brown color, 20 to 30 minutes. As soon as the roux has reached the desired color, stir in the onions, bell peppers, celery, Cajun seasoning, and bay leaves, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Pour in the reserved chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and beef sausage, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened, about 1 hour. Mix in the reserved chicken meat and okra, bring back to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the okra is tender and the flavors have blended, 30 to 40 minutes.
RED BEANS AND RICE INGREDIENTS -1 medium onion, chopped -1/2 cup chopped green pepper -2 garlic cloves, minced -2 tablespoons THC olive oil -1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro -3 cans (16 ounces each) red beans, rinsed and drained -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon ground cumin -1/8 teaspoon pepper -3 cups hot cooked rice DIRECTIONS In a large nonstick skillet, sautĂŠ the onion, green pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Add cilantro. Cook and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in the beans, salt, cumin and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve over rice.
KING CAKE PASTRY: -1 cup milk -1/4 cup THC butter -2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast -2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) -1/2 cup white sugar -2 eggs -1 1/2 teaspoons salt -1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg -5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour FILLING: -1 cup packed brown sugar -1 tablespoon ground cinnamon -2/3 cup chopped pecans -1/2 cup all-purpose flour -1/2 cup raisins -1/2 cup melted THC butter FROSTING: -1 cup confectioners’ sugar -1 tablespoon water
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DIRECTIONS Scald milk, remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of butter. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water with 1 tablespoon of the white sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. When yeast mixture is bubbling, add the cooled milk mixture. Whisk in the eggs. Stir in the remaining white sugar, salt and nutmeg. Beat the flour into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. When raised, punch down and divide dough in half. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. To Make Filling: Combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup raisins. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix until crumbly. Roll dough halves out into large rectangles (approximately 10x16 inches or so). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough and roll up each half tightly like a jellyroll, beginning at the wide side. Bring the ends of each roll together to form 2 oval shaped rings. Place each ring on a prepared cookie sheet. With scissors make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1-inch intervals. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Push the doll into the bottom of the cake. Frost while warm with the confectioners’ sugar blended with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.
NEW ORLEANS BREAD PUDDING INGREDIENTS -1/2 cup raisins -1/4 cup brandy or unsweetened apple juice -1/2 cup THC Butter melted and divided -1 tablespoon sugar -4 eggs, lightly beaten -2 cups half-and-half cream -1 cup packed brown sugar -2 teaspoons vanilla extract -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg -10 slices day-old French bread (1 inch thick), cubed
SAUCE: -1/2 cup packed brown sugar -2 tablespoons cornstarch Dash salt -1 cup cold water -1 tablespoon THC butter -2 teaspoons vanilla extract DIRECTIONS In a small saucepan, combine raisins and brandy. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and set aside. Brush a shallow 2-1/2-qt. baking dish with 1 tablespoon THC butter; sprinkle with sugar and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and nutmeg. Stir in remaining butter and reserved raisin mixture. Gently stir in bread. Let stand for 15 minutes or until bread is softened. Transfer to prepared dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. For sauce, in a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch and salt; gradually add water. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla. Serve with bread pudding.
PECAN PRALINE TREATS INGREDIENTS -1 cup sugar -1 cup packed brown sugar -1 cup milk -8 large marshmallows -2 cups coarsely chopped pecans -2 tablespoons butter -1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Dash ground cinnamon DIRECTIONS Lightly butter two baking sheets or line with waxed paper; set aside. In a saucepan, combine the sugars, milk and marshmallows. Cook and stir over low heat until marshmallows are completely melted. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 234°240° (soft-ball stage). Without stirring or scraping, pour hot liquid into another saucepan. Add the pecans, THC, butter, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir rapidly until mixture is thickened and creamy, about 3 minutes. Drop quickly by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared pans. Flatten slightly. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.
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DISPENSARY LISTING Dispensaries BELGRADE Green Gaia Medicinals, Inc.
Belgrade, MT 59714 406-662-0112
Honest John’s Farmacy 412 W. Main Street Suite C. Belgrade, MT 59714 406-599-5207
Montana Cannabis Ministry 32 Dollar Drive Belgrade, MT 59714 406-388-3112
BIGFORK The Helping Center 104 Jewel Basin Ct. #4 Bigfork, MT 59911 406-837-4325
BILLINGS A Kinder Caregiver 2921 1st Ave. South Billings, MT 59101 406-226-0273
Billings Medical Marijuana 116 N. 11th St. Billings, MT 59105 406-860-7623
Canni-Rx Caregivers 1234 Avenue C Billings, MT 59102 406-281-8061
Chronic Caregivers 2225 Main St. #6 Billings, MT 59105 406-672-8860
Cure Therapeutics 2113 Montana Ave. Billings, MT 59101
Green Cross
3733 Montana Ave. Billings, MT 59101 406-839-2209
Green Leaf Clinics, Inc.
NinePipe Botanicals, LLC
Mountain Myers
The Leaf
Green Mountain Medical Solutions
VP Caregiver/ Billings Cannabis Connection
MT Jar
COLUMBIA FALLS
1430 Central Ave. Billings, MT 59102 406-548-1211
124 N. 30th St. Billings, MT 59101 406-697-6902
Healing Tree Caregiver Services 103 Sugar Ave. Billings, MT 59107 406-245-8733
Heaven Scent Cannabis 2047 Andromeda Lane Billings, MT 59105 406-672-0143
High Life Wellness Center 3819 Montana Ave. Billings, MT 59101 406-281-8084
Magic City Meds
2912 Grand Ave. #111 Billings, MT 59102 406-281-8174
Montannabis Inc. 116 N. 11th Street Billings, MT 59101 406-281-8420
Montana Cannabis Treatment Centers
2625 Overland Ave. Suite C Billings, MT 59102 406-281-8198
Montana Organic Medical Supply (MOMS) 1029 Main St. Billings, MT 59102 213-531-7771
Montana Therapeutics 2109 Grand Ave. Billings, MT 59102 406-896-9050
New Frontier Patient Care
724 Grand Ave. Billings, MT 59102 406-294-9333
3318 3rd Ave. N. Suite 205 Billings, MT 59105 406-697-7374
221 Grand Ave. Billings, MT 59101 1-888-573-4789
Yellowstone Patient Care 111 S. 24th St. West #30 Billings, MT 59102 406-281-8053
Other Billing’s location 2750 Old Hardin Rd. #DD Billings, MT 59101 406-281-8580
80127 Gallatin Rd. Bozeman, MT 59718 406-585-9941
2504 W. Main Street Bozeman, MT 59718 406-551-2183
Peaceful Provider 1627 W. Main #420 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-595-3843
Soul Tonix
2621 W. College St. Suite B Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-7685
The Grateful Shed Yellowstone Valley Herbs 2230 W. Main St. #B 1240 Avenue C Billings, MT 59102 406-698-3758
BOZEMAN A Kinder Caregiver 618 W. Griffin Drive Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-2335
Big Sky Patient Care 81770 Gallatin Rd. Bozeman, MT 59718 406-586-0842
Greener Pastures 609 W. Mendenhall Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-4367
KannaKare
611 N Wallace Ste 3 &4 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-582-0970
Lion Heart Caregiving
80085 Gallatin Rd. Bozeman, MT 59718 406-570-5503
Magic Oven
618 W. Griffin Suite B Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-2335
Bozeman, MT 59718 406-586-7752
BUTTE A Kinder Caregiver 27 West Park Street Butte, MT 59701 406-782-4031
Big Sky Health
3219 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701
Happy Pharmers 624 E. Front St. Butte, MT 59701 406-565-0532
Mile High Caregivers 1006 S. Montana Ave. Butte, MT 59701 406-782-1802
2055 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701 406-581-5091
Compassion Centers of Montana
4865 Hwy 2 West Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-890-9667
Cozy Gnome
140 Nucleus Ave. Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-261-6472
Good Medicine Providers
36 Jellison Lane Unit D Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-890-1721
Rocky Mountain Natural Healing
120 Columbia Mtn. Drive Suite 1B Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-885-9931
Spirit Mountain Medicine 609 Nucleus Blvd. Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-314-0185
The Green Zone
673 8th Ave. East North Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-890-1019
The Helping Center
734 9th St. West Suite 10 Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-892-4325 Dillon
Mile High Herbal Medicine
Big Sky Patient Care
Mining City Medical & Montana Buds
ENNIS
1500 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701 406-498-1176
511 A East Front St. Butte, MT 59701 406-498-1778
21 S. Idaho St. Dillon, MT 59725 406-683-3620
Hope Caregivers of Montana 100 Prarie Way Ennis, MT 59729 406-682-3485
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DISPENSARY LISTING Town Center Homeopathic Medicine 117 East Main St. Ennis, MT 59729 406-682-3092
EUREKA Compassion Centers of Montana 314 Dewey Ave. Eureka, MT 59917 406-297-7995
GREAT FALLS Amazing Medical Marijuana
Mailing Address P.O. Box 2828 208 3rd Ave. N Great Falls, MT 59403
Missoula Cannabis Caregivers 221 S. 1st Street Hamilton, MT 59804 406-830-3335
Smoke Shop B.A.C. 914 N. 1st St., Suite B Hamilton, MT 59804 406-590-6337
HAVRE The Healing Center 124 First Street Havre, MT 59501 406-585-1170
HELENA A Perfect Cure
Great Fall, MT 59401 406-217-8137
4422 N. Montana Ave. Helena, MT 59602 406-449-7006
Canna-Med
Canyon Creek Caregivers
Great Falls, MT 59403 406-545-2204
Caregivers Dispensary of Great Falls Great Falls, MT 59403 406-788-1011
Green Leaf
Great Falls, MT 59403 406-799-2702
Medical Montana Great Falls, MT 59403 406-207-7078
Natural Medicine of Great Falls Mailing Address Great Falls, MT 59403 406-594-2733 1529 Stuckey Rd. Great Falls, MT 59403
HAMILTON
2328 McDonald Dr. Helena, MT 59635 406-422-2723
First Montana Grow Circle 631 Helena Ave. Helena, MT 59624 406-459-5721
Kanna-Kare
3012 L Drive Helena, MT 59602 406-450-3457
Leafy Caregiver Services
AFM advanced farming of montana
Libby Co-op
3297 Hwy. 2 East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-0964
Big Sky Health
220 1st Ave. East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-260-4422
Cannabliss Pain Management LLC
109 Cooperative Way #108 Kalispell, MT 59901 406-848-1420
Dakine Organics 2327 Hwy. 2 East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-257-6944
Golden Leaf Caregivers 430 Conrad Dr. Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-3772
Miracle Medicine Caregivers Kalispell, MT 59901 406-396-7081
Natural Remedies 2666 Hwy 2 East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-257-3370
Rocky Mountain Grasshopper 2741 Hwy 93 S. Kalispell, MT 59901 40-755-1344
Montana Cannabis
Tamarack Dispensary
3213 Euclid Ave. Helena, MT 59624 406-458-8822
Queen City Caregivers
Bitterroot’s Best
MDC Caregivers
Sleeping Giant Caregivers
1967 N. 1st St. Hamilton, MT 59840 406-375-0420
LIBBY
Helena, MT 59624 406-461-8805
1236 Birch St. Helena, MT 59624 406-422-2936
15 N. 1st St. Suite C Hamilton, MT 59804
KALISPELL
751 Nicole Street Helena, MT 59601 406-437-1796
1 McDermott Lane Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-7227
The Greenhaus
105 Welf Lane Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-4287
The Healing Center 1103 S. Main Street Kalispell, MT 59406 406-756-4325
P.O. Box 1377 Libby, MT 59923
LIVINGSTON Dutch Quality Caregivers 28 Bonnie Lane Livingston, MT 59047 406-600-8598
Gold Label Cooperative 617 West Park Street Livingston, MT 59047 406-220-0404
Sylvan Garden Caregivers
105 S. B Street Livingston, MT 59047
The Healing Center 1 Caldonia Rd. Livingston, MT 59047 406-581-8712
MILES CITY Yellowstone Patient Care 22 N. Montana Ave, Unit B Miles, City, MT 59301 406-232-1120
MISSOULA
Edible Medical, LLC
2825 Stockyard Rd. Suite F-1 Missoula, MT 59808 406-830-3371
Garden Mother Herbs 345 W. Front St. Missoula, MT 59802 406-529-3834
Green Heart LLC
2825 Stockyard Rd Building C Suite 6 Missoula, MT 59808 406-274-7105
Greener Pastures 141 S. 3rd St. West Missoula, MT 59801 406-549-4367
Grizzly Green Organics 2810 Brooks St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-541-0420
Heartland Caregivers 5500 Grant Creek Rd. Missoula, MT 59808 406-542-0214
Helping Hands
1500 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59808 406-880-2587
Better Life Montana
High Country Caregivers
Big Sky Health
KC’s Med Shed
Bud Montana
Kind Caregivers
Caregivers and Things
M4U
2112 S. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-721-3622 1536 S. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-728-1071 P.O. Box 1256 Missoula, MT 59806 406-546-1441 1260 W. Broadway Missoula, MT 59801
3912 Brooks St. Missoula, MT 59802 406-848-1122 425 North St. Missoula, MT 59802 406-830-3399
1500 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-214-7547 2935 Stockyard Rd. Missoula, MT 59808 406-541-9222
Caring With Kindness 805 W. Spruce St. Missoula, MT 59802 406-890-3300
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DISPENSARY LISTING MariMedical Pain Management 1819 Holborn Ave. Missoula, MT 59801 406-546-3310
Medical Marijuana Center
RED LODGE
MISSOULA
BOZEMAN
LIVINGSTON
Beartooth Medicinals
Cannabis Care
Montana Apothecary
CCofMT
417 W. 17th St. Red Lodge, MT 59064 406-598-3420
Medicinal Alternative
2311 S 3rd St W. Missoula, MT 59802 406-758-5297
Red Lodge, MT 59064 406-855-8240
Missoula Compassion Club
412 N. Broadway #1 Red Lodge, MT 59064 406-446-1126
P.O. Box 7803 Missoula, MT 59807 406-552-0088
Montana Patient Group
Yellowstone Patient Care
STEVENSVILLE Banana Belt Caregivers
Missoula, MT 59801 1-800-210-0012
Garden City Pain Management
The Clinic
406-261-2664
128 E. Main St., Suite 209 Missoula, MT 59801 406-890-3588
THCF (The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation)
125 West Main St. Suite B Missoula, MT 59802 406-388-3111
Nature’s Gift Cannabis
Bitterroot Star
M2C2
P.O. Box 5224 Missoula, MT 59806 406-552-4624
Rocky Mountain Pain Management Pc 111 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
The Green Bean Coffeeshop
2710 Brooks St. Suite 2 Missoula, MT 59801 406-838-6337
Three Rivers Farmacy 805 N. Russell St. #2 Missoula, MT 59808 406-830-3390
Total Holistic Center 525 N. Higgins St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-830-3392
PABLO diSPENCERy
P.O. Box 232 Pablo, MT 59855 406-544-6669
215 Main St. Stevensville, MT 59870 406-777-3928
714 Kensington Ave. Missoula, MT 59801 406-541-8093
Doctor Clinics
VICTOR
BOZEMAN
Big Creek Family Medicine
Tree of Life
300 N. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT Suite 3003 406-579-0343
Whole Health and Healing Dr. Michael Geci-Black
118 Main St. Victor, MT 59875 406-642-9599
WHITEFISH The Bridge Medical
300 N. Willson, Suite 105A 406-580-5311
5938 Hwy. 93 South Whitefish, MT 59937 406-863-9300
COLUMBIA FALLS
Delivery
Northern Lights Medical
BELGRADE
36 Jellison Lane Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-871-1174
AAA Botanicals
KALISPELL
BILLINGS
The Clinic
Botanist’s Dream
19 2nd St. East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-890-3588
Awaken Soul Cannabis 406-260-7897
401 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-728-2858
Pharm Rx
FLATHEAD VALLEY
6232 Lower Miller Creek Rd. Missoula, MT 59803-9502 406-552-2968
46 Stevensville Cutoff R. Stevensville, MT 59870 406-207-7748
Missoula, MT 59802 406-880-3797
406-599-1483
406-599-7088
406-696-6906
Magic City Caregivers
MISSOULA COUNTY Cannabis Cowgirl Caregiving
Essence of Medicine Caregivers
406-239-8810
Evergreen Buds
406-239-4390
406-257-7380
Friendly Farms Caregiving Grizzly Green
Flathead Valley Caregiver 406-824-4749 406-212-1423
Green Tree Caregiver Mailing Address 406-212-4396 178 Park Ave. Kalispell, MT 59901
High Humidity 406-253-1909
Meds4heads 406-961-4756
King Medicine
Mailing Address 406-214-7355 6000 Hwy 93 S. Missoula, MT 59801
Mountn Ripp3r M3dicinal
Miracle Medicine Caregivers
Nature’s Bliss
Old Wolves Caregiving
NatureWorks USA
Peace of Mind Medicinal Marijuana
406-890-5978 406-890-4095 406-295-9536
Nice St. Caregivers 406-212-7749
Serenity Caregivers
406-396-7081 406-381-2876
406-360-2074
The Hydroponic Caregiver 406-218-9697
406-883-4474
GREAT FALLS Cascade County Caregivers 406-889-5004
JC’s Medical Marijuana 406-781-2940
Mike’s Medical 406-868-2777
406-972-8700
HAVRE
Medical Green
Gonja Gardens
406-671-7652
406-333-2622
406-390-0203
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List of Advertisers AFM p 32 American’s for Safe Access p 41 Area 420 p 12 Beaver Tail Buds p 23 Big Sky Health (backcover) Bizzy Bees p 67 Box of Rain p 33 Cannabanalysis p 45 Cannabis Care p 31 Canyon Creek Caregivers p 37 CC of Montana p 11 Chef Herb p 27 Chronic Caregivers p 37 Cozy Gnome p 23 Five Friends Inc. p 17 Golden Leaf Caregivers p 11 Grateful Shed p 31 Green Mt Medical Solutions p 2 Grizzly Security Alarms p 65 KannaKare p 12 KC’s Med Shed p 13 Lindsey Law Office p 23 Lion Heart Caregiving p 29 Mary Jane’s Kitchen p 12 Mining City Medical Marijuana p 9 Montannabis p 27 Montanans for Responsible Legislation p 7 Montana Medical Growers Association p 3 Montana NORML p 66 Montana Buds p 9 & 45 Montana Cannabis Treatment Centers p 65 Montana Therapeutics p 31 Mountain Myers p 23 Natural Medicine of Great Falls p 11 Natural Remedies p 37 Organic Relief LLC p 15 Tamarack Dispensary p 5 Tamarack Ski and Patio p 19 The Clinic p 4 The Gourmet Remedy p 2 The Leaf p 32 The Montana Cannabis and Hemp Foundation p 29 Town Center Homeopathic Medicine LLC p 45 Zoo Mt Natural Care, Inc p 37
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