Maine Cannabis Chronicle Volume II Issue IV

Maine Cannabis CHRONICLE

VOLUME II

ISSUE IV

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CONTENTS

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The Tide Has Turned

B Y E . P.

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M A T T H E W B O U R G E O I S

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Maine Office of Marijuana Policy’s Preliminary Draft Rules

BY S U S A N M E E H A N

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No Cap Recap

BY S A R A M C K E E

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M A T T H E W B O U R G E O I S

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Legalize Lit

B Y N I C K M U R R AY

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y M A T T H E W B O U R G E O I S

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The More You Grow: Overwatering

BY K I M E M E R S O N

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S T I C K Y

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Don’t Panic, It’s Organic

BY C H A S G I L

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M AT T H E W B O U RG E O I S

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Chronic Pain

BY K AT I E W E I T M A N

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY MCC T E A M

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Finding Relief Through Cannabinoid Ratios

B Y K A T H L E E N B R A D L E Y, PA - C

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y K A T I E W E I T M A N

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Her Highness: Coitus on Cannabis

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y D I A N A G O N Z E A U X

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A Sticky New Year: The StiCky Interview

B Y M A T T M E LT O N

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M A T T M E LT O N

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Shop Troll: Bud from Bud Tee Co

BY D I A N A G O N Z E AU X

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S T I C K Y

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Music Magic

B Y AW P

P H OTO G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F D J L A DY S

38 Recipes

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BY Z AC H S Q U I R E

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY Z AC H

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Maine Showcase

BY M C C T E A M

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M A T T M E LT O N

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Strain Safari with The Strainger

BY I A N S T UA RT

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Faces in the Field: CJ Hagan from Green Xtrax

BY I A N S T UA RT

P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y O F GR E E N X T R A X

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420 Minutes: BETHEL BOUND

BY D I A N A G O N Z E AU X

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY MCC T E A M

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Maine Cannabis CHRONICLE

PUBLISHER JA M AC H R I , L LC FOUNDERS M AT T H E W B O U R G E O I S & C H R I S B L A K E M A N AG I N G E D I T O R K AT I E W E I T M A N COPY EDITOR K AT E L I C H T L E S P E C I A L E D I T O R I A L C O N S U LT A N T S MICHAEL LEONARD DAV I D B OY E R L AYO U T J ESSE GEORGIA P RO D U C T I O N M A N AG E R SAR AH HARTFORD C OV E R A R T WO R K BY S t i C k y PHOTOGRAPHERS M AT T M E LTO N K AT I E W E I T M A N M AT T H E W B O U R G E O I S Z AC H S Q U I R E I L L U S T R AT O R S D I A N A G O N Z E AU X K AT I E W E I T M A N M AT T H E W B O U R G E O I S StiCk y

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O N A DV E R T I S I N G P L E A S E E M A I L : SALES@MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE .COM I F YO U W O U L D L I K E TO S U B M I T C O N T E N T O R H AV E A N I D E A F O R A S TO R Y, P L E A S E E M A I L : E D I T O R @ M A I N E C A N N A B I S C H R O N I C L E . C O M

JAMACHRI, LLC’s publication of Maine Cannabis Chronicle features content about cannabis, hemp, CBD, and cannabis-related products and information. In addition, the magazine features articles, political editorials, legal information, and medical news relevant to the cannabis industry. All content within our publication and on our website is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered personal, legal, or medical advice. Both the printed publication and website are intended for those over the age of 21. In the state of Maine, cannabis is intended for use only by those 21 and older, or 18 and older with a medical recommendation. If consuming, please keep out of the reach of children.

JAMACHRI, LLC assumes no responsibility for the advertisements within this publication. We strive to ensure the accuracy of the information published. JAMACHRI, LLC cannot be held responsible for any consequences that arise due to errors or omissions. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITOR’S LETTER So, 2020 was a weird one. Wildfires raged across California, compromising their cannabis crop. Concerts were canceled, backyard barbecues as we know them ceased to exist, and forget about your traditional vacation. We lost a lot of hugs from family, some of us were all but locked in our homes, and dating became an exercise in creative problem solving.

But the year wasn’t all bad, and certainly not for the cannabis industry! Every state with legal cannabis use officially cemented its position as essential—vice industries thrive in times of crisis. Every cannabis initiative on the 2020 ballot passed, increasing the number of states with legal cannabis programs by four, and as states look to boost their budgets a number of others seem likely to follow. In December, the House of Representatives even passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, the first cannabis reform bill to pass in Congress—and with the recent flip of Senate control to pro-legalization Democrats, the possibility of cannabis being made federally legal has become a real possibility.

Here at the Chronicle, we’ve been following these events closely. In this issue, we’ve covered everything from the changing views on cannabis use, to the November ballot initiatives, to the unfolding drama that is Portland’s No Cap fight. We also have some of the old fun stuff—an interview with Sticky Claws and one with Bud Tee Co., and a profile of musician DJ Lady S. ‘We spent 420 minutes in the Bethel area, ‘The More You Grow’ takes a look at the hazards of overwatering your plants, and Her Highness will tell you all about sex and cannabis. We’ve added some recipes, and we take a look at cannabis and chronic pain, as well as THC and CBD ratios.

Here’s to 2021!

Katie Weitman Managing Editor editor@mainecannabischronicle.com

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OPINION

The Tide Has Turned B Y E . P.

Since the early 1900s, cannabis has been illegal in the U.S. and up until recently has had its name and reputation stomped on by individuals driven by greed and hunger. Hemp was grown and used by Native Americans for thread, clothing, paper, and food.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, farmers were encouraged to grow hemp. The Virginia Assembly mandated “that every planter as soon as he may, provide seed of flax and hemp and sow the same.” Hemp was also used as a legal tender to pay taxes and was shipped to England to be used for textiles and paper. Once America gained its independence in the late 18th century, the crop continued to be cultivated. (A fun fact: in 1914, the $10 bill was printed on hemp and featured farmers farming hemp.)

Cannabis has met the needs of every society in each age it has found itself moving through — when the people needed sustenance, they were fed; when the people needed to be clothed, they were able to make clothing and shoes from the strong fibers of the hemp plant. In the 21st century, we as a people, in most recent times and more specifically with the current shutdown, have begun to realize how far we have moved from our natural selves. Many accept cannabis as a pathway to bring us back to what matters most — our well being and the homeostasis of our systems.

As of late, the media has mainly focused on showing separation and destruction amongst people while ignoring much of the positive progress being made across the nation. Amidst these trying times, we find

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ourselves witnessing one of the greatest revolutions yet — a change in the way we see cannabis, a plant that has not only remediated but also healed individuals, a plant that can change the way we as a society take care of ourselves, mind, body and soul. Cannabis is a plant that will be the portal to balance. Light has overcome dark!

I was raised in a country whose people have recently become democratic and have traditionally been led by religious customs. For some, keeping the commandments is what gives them ‘peace of mind,’ by ensuring you at least have something to look forward to one day. I was raised within a community riddled with drug addiction, and a child using any drug was the fear of every parent. It was one of the few things children were scared out of. In my childhood, it was impressed upon me how bad drugs are, especially “dagga” (cannabis), as it was the ‘gateway’ drug.

But a gateway to what?

I’ve found it to be a gateway to healing. When you use regeneratively grown cannabis for the purpose of healing, and you enjoy it respectfully, you are given the opportunity to create and maintain stasis within your body. Each of us has an endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for ensuring balance of the body’s immune response, communication between cells, and regulation of appetite and metabolism (see curepharmaceutical.com). Today, we have immense information at our fingertips; we live in a time where our education and self-development are in our own hands.

Through observation and travels, I have come across individuals who were raised, like myself, to believe that things such as cannabis are ‘no good,’ only to realize through education and experience that it may be in our best interest to reeducate ourselves. We can use this time to equip our minds, our greatest assets.

Cannabis is a plant with multiple uses, and it has so much to offer the planet. It has been found through scientific studies that hemp can be used for a process called phytoremediation, which is used to remove radioactive elements from soil and water. The vastness of uses of the cannabis/hemp plant will continue to amaze you the more you learn, hear, and discover for yourself.

In our recent past, we have witnessed several states sue Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, owned by the Sackler family. The lawsuits argued that the family was responsible for starting and sustaining the opioid crisis, according to NBC News. In October 2020, the makers of OxyContin pled guilty to federal criminal charges and settled to pay eight billion dollars in damages.

The opioid crisis is an epidemic that has cost many their lives and has seen even more lose their quality of life due to addiction. The lawsuit mentioned above is a step toward holding companies accountable for the degradation of the well being of people. As the nation strives toward wholeness, the case brings hope to those individuals and families who have been affected and impacted by addiction and is also a reminder that their well being matters. By acknowledging the benefits of organic alternatives (namely cannabis), we can offer safer options for patients currently seeking relief from medications we know to be harmful — and prevent future addiction in the first place.

In early December 2020, the legalization of cannabis appeared before the U.S. House of Representatives

via the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act. The House voted in favor of MORE (228-164), marking the first time in half a century that a chamber of Congress voted on a bill to end the federal prohibition of marijuana. The legislation is now with the Senate and, if passed, will decriminalize marijuana on the federal level, allowing states to set their own cannabis laws. Further, the legislation allows for the release and expungement of certain federally charged individuals and a 5% commercial cannabis tax to be reinvested into communities that have been most impacted by cannabis prohibition laws. .

The impact that decriminalizing cannabis would have not only on the American people but also on the world at large is enormous. As is known to many immigrants, where America goes, the world tends to follow. Passing this legislation would help not only those who have been imprisoned for nonviolent cannabis-related cases, but also ease restrictions on further studies into the medicinal uses of cannabis.

2020 has presented us with many changes and challenges, many for the better and in line with our well being. The tide has turned. Cannabis is slowly becoming accepted once again, as we see more research exploring the uses and properties of the herb. With these changes comes a chance to transform the way we have lived, in terms of medicine, materials, and paper, to mention a few. At a time when we could focus on all that is not going as it should, may hope be restored that soon we may live in a country where therapy and prevention are the first priority. As late herbalist Dr. Sebi said, “healing has to be consistent with life itself. If it isn’t, then it is not healing.”

What we put into our bodies is what is used to repair our cells. By giving our bodies life — clean water, regeneratively grown food, and rest — healing can take place.

POLITICS

Maine Office of Marijuana Policy’s Preliminary Draft Rules

BY SUSA N MEEH A N

This is an important call to action to contact the Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) and your legislators to let them know what is going on at the “rule level” of Maine’s medical marijuana program. On January 4, a letter with links to an 80-page draft was emailed to some stakeholders in the program. You can read the draft rules at http://bit.ly/OMP_Draft Note. OMP is currently editing the draft based on public comments, will then put forth an official draft, and then schedule a public hearing.

Changes that will impact patient-healthcare provider relationships The draft rules propose that pediatric patients must fit a new list developed by the Office of Marijuana Policy.

The list of “approved conditions” is: epilepsy, cancer, developmental disability, and intellectual disability. This list does not encompass the majority of our pediatric patient conditions. The inadequate list (applicable only to patients under age 18) does not include autism spectrum disorder, Asperger’s, spasticity, chronic pain, migraine, ADHD, anxiety, inflammation-related diseases such as Lyme, or any other physician-noted conditions that cannabis is known to resolve. Decisions for medical treatments for our kids belong between healthcare providers, patients, and parents. We request that these rules reflect our statutes that place these decisions in the correct place—among doctor,patient, and parent.

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There is no need for a list that is subject to a politically driven committee fed information by lobbyists with ulterior motives. Patients, especially pediatric patients, have a relationship with their providers that cannot be replaced by an inadequate committee-generated list of conditions.

Section C (page 17) of the draft states that an examination by a non-primary care provider must occur at a “Permanent location that is clinically appropriate for conducting medical services and that enables the patient to return for follow up, consultation or assistance, as needed,” but Section D indicates that remote healthcare services (in our remote and rural state where telemedicine is widely used) is not prohibited. Which is it? Telemedicine is the current situation for many families who are impacted by COVID and dealing with government limitations and restrictions. There should be no requirement for a permanent physical location or visit that impedes patient access.

The draft also limits locations and virtual avenues by which a doctor can establish and maintain a doctorpatient relationship. With current events and the reality that these children are often medically fragile, patients are far safer at home meeting a doctor via a phone or video conference method when they choose to do so.

Changes that will impact many of the small, artisan caregivers who serve many of our patients The security requirements are expensive and excessive.

These excessive demands seem to generate income for security companies while placing small caregivers at risk of noncompliance and losing their ability to serve their patients.

The draft virtually eliminates caregivers without storefronts and indicates an inability to do business without a storefront, as caregivers cannot provide clones or plants to patients without operating a retail location. Additionally, in the draft language, caregivers cannot operate a caregiver business out of their homes and remain in compliance without every person in the home (including children) being registered cardholders.

Visitors to the property would also be subject to search as the caregiver could not allow visitors or patients to be on property with cannabis brought to the property from another source.

Further restrictions to registered premises would make the following things illegal at a caregiver’s home: a caregiver who operates a caregiver business from their home (now their “registered premises”) may not have parties or catered events and may not engage or allow others to engage in consumption of marijuana or liquor or any controlled substance in their home . Additionally, the caregiver may not allow consumption of marijuana by anyone except a qualifying patient, but in the same sentence, “…so long as no qualifying patient [including the consumer?] sees, smells, hears or otherwise observes the consumption of medical marijuana.” This is ludicrous! These rules are overreaching into our homes, our privacy, and our rights as citizens of Maine and the United States.

Many caregivers use the family kitchen to process products. Deeming this a “registered premises” whether or not business is being conducted eliminates a citizen’s right to freedom within their own home. Additionally, the draft indicates that a caregiver must allow access without limitation to OMP, law enforcement, etc. NO. If the department or law enforcement show up at a caregiver’s home when the caregiver is not engaged in “business,” there should not be a clause that states that these officials are not to be denied entry to “registered premises.” Many caregivers operate on an appointmentonly basis from their homes.

We have a right to be secure within our homes, and we will not sign away this right. I have family gatherings, parties, and maybe even catered events at my residence. Because I operate a caregiver’s business from said home does not give OMP or law enforcement unlimited access. The draft would basically eliminate all compliant home-based Maine caregivers.

Impact to patients A patient may only process harvested marijuana in an enclosed and lockable area. Many of our patients do not have this luxury to isolate and lock themselves away from their family (that in many cases includes special

needs kids who may or may not be cannabis patients).

It is not clear whether a mechanical extraction method using ethanol is permitted, although 99% pure ethanol is listed as acceptable. Most market options are 180 proof, which places patients in violation if they are using Everclear, for example, a 95% ethanol product.

The cost of medicines will soar with the few caregivers who are able to meet these overreaching expectations and limitations. Patients and parents on fixed incomes, and those with limited incomes due to COVID and serious medical issues or other issues, cannot afford these price increases.

Privacy violations/METRC tracking system The inventory tracking program and travel ticket process that disclose patient card registry numbers and patient addresses compromise our patients’ rights to privacy and subject patients to information being placed in a database, crossing digital lines for every single transaction. This exposes patients to unnecessary risk of data breach and therefore breach of confidential medical information.

Vehicles used to transport marijuana must have a “manufacturer installed alarm system” and plants or products cannot be visible. Does this mean a caregiver who owns an SUV or a van with no trunk cannot participate?

Maine’s medical marijuana program is the top performing industry in the state of Maine, and caregivers account for about 75% of this performance.

There are products that are difficult to locate, such as specialized tinctures, that will no longer be available through Maine’s program when caregivers are forced to close their doors.

About the author Susan Meehan is the owner of Mae’s Mamas, a homebased medical marijuana caregiver proprietorship. She became a “medical refugee” to Maine in 2013 when she brought her daughter Cyndimae to Maine from Connecticut to treat a devastating form of epilepsy, which was triggered by encephalitis caused by a set of childhood vaccinations. Cyndimae was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome. In Maine, with doctor-guided assistance, Cyndimae enjoyed the last three years of her life off of pharmaceutical drugs that had kept her seizing and bound to a wheelchair. She laughed, lived, and loved playing like a normal child while fighting alongside her mother for better access in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and South Carolina.

Cyndimae’s seizures started 27 hours post-vaccination at 10 months of age, and they were uncontrolled by any drug (23 attempts) except marijuana. Cyndimae died in her sleep at the age of 13 on March 13, 2016. Her death was labeled “Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy.”

She is survived by her parents, her three older sisters, and many extended family.

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POLITICS

No Cap Recap

BY SARA MCKEE

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M AT T H E W B O U R G E O I S

The “No Cap on Cannabis” initiative proposed modifying Chapter 35 of the Portland City Code, Governing the Regulation of Marijuana Businesses, in two ways: (1) reducing the required distance between marijuana retail facilities and dispensaries from 250 feet to 100 feet; and (2) removing the cap on the number of marijuana retail stores and dispensaries in the city.

To be blunt: No cap, f@#$ yeah!

The Yes on F Campaign passed with 53.1% in support and 46.9% against. This means that 20,918 Portland residents voted for free and fair market cannabis regulations.

Yes on F was led by a grassroots collection of volunteers, industry members, and enthusiasts. Instead of littering signs up and down Franklin, signs were strategically placed throughout Portland, a “No Cap” Instagram page was established, and supporters reached out to their networks for support.

Question F was ignored by mainstream political organizers who seemed to be alphabetically aligned.

I don’t know about you, but I was receiving daily text messages imploring my inclination on: A, B, C, D, and E… but what about F?!

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It was curious that members of the cannabis community were not supportive of removing the cap or relaxing the buffer. And the City Council wouldn’t speak of it during their countless hours deliberating and assessing the Colorado cannabis catastrophe!

When the cotton mouth subsided, Portland’s City Council voted 5-3 to halt the first round of licensing, forgo the cap and buffer, and grant the 36 existing applicants licenses. This was a shock to the industry but a welcome action for process-weary applicants, nonetheless.

Soon thereafter, the weeding out started. Applicants started receiving letters disqualifying them for various reasons including late tax payments. Thankfully, the city realized that they granted an extension for payments because of that COVID thing.

Unfortunately, Portland did lose a handful of cannabis businesses to surrounding towns. Between the application process, restrictions (cap and buffer), and arbitrary licensing rules, applicants decided to go elsewhere. South Portland has provided refuge to many cannabis businesses that decided Portland was just not worth the squeeze.

So what happens now?

Removing the cannabis cap means that there will be opportunity in the future in Portland. If Question F had failed, there would have been a freeze on any new retail cannabis businesses in Portland until the number of operators dipped below 20 stores, which would likely take years, if not decades.

Pot shops will not be popping up in a neighborhood near you…well, unless you are in the zone deemed appropriate. You’ll see a few more green crosses out in some pockets of town, a virtue of limiting zoning and condensing it to certain areas of the city. The “No Cannabis Cap” campaign argued that zoning and setbacks provided a natural cap on the number of retail stores…that and, of course, a free and fair market!

According to the City of Portland, new medical and adult-use retail marijuana licenses will continue to be accepted. If you submitted your application before September 1, 2020 and were not denied, then the 100foot marijuana store-to-marijuana store buffer does not apply to you. If your application was submitted on or after September 1, 2020, then the 100-foot buffer will apply. The 500-foot buffer between pre-existing public schools, private schools, and public preschool programs remains unchanged.

It seems clear that even as Portland heads into 2021, there will still be no open adult-use recreational stores in Portland. For now, we have high hopes for Portland’s adult-use retail cannabis market.

This is good news for Maine’s medical cannabis industry and patients who were disproportionately negatively affected by the cap, as only three of the 36 applicants were medical.

Besides the obvious price differences (taxes, man!) between medical and adult-use cannabis, there are important reasons to maintain Maine’s medical cannabis program. Many patients require higher doses of THC to relieve their ailments. Adult-use edibles cannot exceed 100 mg of THC, which may not be enough for all patients.

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POLICY / LEGAL

Legalized It B Y N I C K M U R R AY

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y M AT T H E W B O U R G E O I S

Voters across U.S. take meaningful steps to end the war on drugs While November 3, 2020 was a mixed bag for most voters, Americans looking for an end to the war on drugs found some relief in the election results.

Cannabis-related ballot initiatives passed in states across the nation, in every jurisdiction where they appeared. Voters in Arizona, Montana, and New Jersey approved adult-use legalization, and those in Mississippi approved medical use if recommended by a doctor.

South Dakotans approved both adult-use legalization and a medical cannabis program, the first state to accomplish both at once.

Voters in four Ohio towns added decriminalization of cannabis to their books, marking a total of 22 localities in the Buckeye State that will not prosecute peaceful cannabis consumers. We had a local win here in Maine, too. An initiative to open the market and remove the cap on cannabis businesses in Portland passed with 53% in favor. Voters in Oregon and Washington, D.C. also did their part to loosen the next layer of bricks in the wall of prohibition.

New Jersey It was all but a shoe-in for the coastal, progressive, mostly urban and suburban state. Polls consistently showed over 60% would vote for the measure. In the end, the polls were validated. With majority support in all 21 counties, and by a 2-to-1 margin statewide, New Jerseyans elected to graduate with the next class of adult-use states. Some hempwise historians will count it as the 12th state to do so, since its fate was sealed before the polls closed in Montana, South Dakota, or Arizona on election night.

A unique aspect of the NJ plan is that cannabis sales will not be subject to additional state-level taxes. While towns that allow it may tax sales at an additional 2%, the highest possible tax on cannabis would only be 8.625%. Most state cannabis taxes are in the doubledigits so the Garden State could quickly become a regional competitor. It could lure thousands of people from neighboring states—Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York—which have been slow to adopt legal cannabis,diverting millions of dollars from the illicit market.

It is possible that the New Jersey Assembly could add an additional state-level tax during its upcoming session. Depending on how quickly they can get the regulated market up and running, and how many towns opt in, New Jersey could become a big player in the rapidly-changing northeast cannabis market. As we know in Maine, this is where the real work happens.

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In response to the vote across the Delaware River, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman urged residents to call their legislators and demand they move toward legalization. According to Fetterman, “Pennsylvania farmers will surely grow better cannabis than New Jersey.” Nothing wrong with a little crossstate rivalry when it comes to high-end horticulture.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has also expressed support for ending cannabis prohibition, and a poll this year found over 60% of Pennsylvanians agree with him.

The tide is already turning.

Arizona This year, 59% of Arizonans approved a legalization question reflecting shifting demographics to more young and Latinx voters. After 10 years of developing understanding and acceptance of medical cannabis, legalization advocates organized fiercely to deliver a win this year in the Grand Canyon State. Voters rejected a similar initiative in 2016 by a margin of within three percentage points. Arizona is the first state to move from treating cannabis as a felony to legalizing it in one fell swoop. Plans for the legal market rollout are expected to be swift, with licenses available to current medical cannabis providers as early as March 2021.

Montana In November, conservative voters across the country showed that limited government principles do include the therapeutic cannabis plant. Montanans faced two questions dealing with legalization and passed both by more than 10 percentage points. One question established a legal system for production and sale, and the other amended the state constitution to set the legal purchasing age at 21. A unique aspect of the Big Sky legalization proposal is that half of the tax revenue generated from cannabis sales will be earmarked for land, water, and wildlife conservation programs. Funds will also support veteran services and substance abuse treatment.

Mississippi In the southeast, a region notoriously stubborn about moving past the mindset of the failed war on drugs, Mississippi voters spoke loudly in favor of treating with compassion those who use cannabis as medicine. Even as they faced a more restrictive, alternative proposal placed on the ballot by the legislature, two out of three voters supported allowing medical cannabis.

Soon, patients in the Magnolia State will be allowed 2.5 ounces of flower every 14 days to treat a list of 22 qualifying conditions that includes cancer, multiple sclerosis, and chronic or debilitating pain.

South Dakota Another vast, conservative, rural state with a notable Libertarian streak, South Dakotans rose to the occasion

this past November and voted for cannabis legalization.

Voters there faced two questions, one related to medical use and one related to adult-use legalization.

Adult-use carried with 54% of the vote, and the medical question soared through with 70% support. South Dakotans showed that they are ready to end the absurd prohibition on the versatile cannabis crop.

Following Utah voters’ approval of medical cannabis in 2018, the continuing cascade in traditionally conservative states like South Dakota, Montana, and Mississippi shows that Americans across the political spectrum are recognizing that governments’ war on cannabis has been a futile and destructive effort.

Watching the next drug war dominoes fall For those looking for more comprehensive drug policy reform, the November results also provided some hope. Over 58% of Oregonians approved a measure to decriminalize possession of all drugs and provide funds for substance abuse treatment. Voters in Oregon also supported a measure to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin fungi, also known as “magic mushrooms,” by more than 10 percentage points.

Voters in the nation’s capital also bucked their federal overlords and approved a measure to treat the noncommercial use and cultivation of “all entheogenic plants and fungi’’ as a lowest law enforcement priority in the city. This revolutionary initiative, allowing the use of a species of plants “that contain ibogaine, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline, psilocybin, or

psilocyn,” could pave the way for millions of Americans to discover these plants as tools for personal, spiritual, and emotional growth, as many ancient cultures in the Americas had before.

The enormous strides taken toward sensible drug policy made 2020 another year for the record books.

Next year, 195 million Americans across 31 states and D.C.—nearly 60% of the U.S. population—will not be threatened with prosecution for using cannabis, a safe, versatile, and therapeutic plant.

In early December, the U.S. House of Representatives made history by passing the MORE Act, a proposal to deschedule cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, expunge low-level convictions, and tax a portion of legal cannabis sales to distribute to communities adversely affected by the drug war. This was the first time Congress approved the legalization of cannabis, but because the bill will likely never reach a vote in the Senate, chances for ultimate passage before the next Congress are slim.

By then, more than one-third of Americans will live in a state that allows for the legal cultivation and sale of cannabis for adults age 21 or older, a potential market of more than 80 million people. This feat was accomplished within just 10 years, by the work and sacrifice of thousands of activists, volunteers, donors, voters, and others. No matter what happens in D.C., the dominoes will continue to fall as more and more start to see legal cannabis as a boon rather than a drag.

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AGRICULTURE

The More You Grow: Overwatering B Y K I M E M E R S O N I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S T I C K Y

I was standing in the veg room one day, overlooking the plants, and something just didn’t feel right about them.

They look and move a certain way when everything is dialed in, and I just couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

I was going through checklists and looking at data collected, trying to figure out why the plants looked unhappy.

Suddenly, a recent change we had made came to mind. We had added an extra water cycle to our veg room. I began to research what it looked like when you’re overwatering your plants—a problem I wasn’t quite sure we had, but I couldn’t rule out. Some signs of overwatering are: • • • • • • • •

Leaves curl downwards Leaf tips turn yellow Leaves will fall off for no reason Plant leaves droop (hanging down) Slow plant growth, stunted Constant damp top soil or coco May look like a magnesium deficiency May seem like a nitrogen deficiency

It clicked suddenly for me: although the plants in my veg room were big and tall, they were stunted in their thickness and strength, the leaves were constantly turned down, and there did appear to be signs of nitrogen deficiency.

I began by timing the amount of water I was giving the plants in each water cycle, so I was able to approximate how much water each plant was being given individually. At first, because we had light buckets daily, I dialed back the number of times watered to once per day, but increased the amount of water given. While hopeful that would be the “quick fix” to my problem, I found that the plants didn’t respond completely to this. Many had become accustomed to the twice daily watering.

To combat this problem, I reduced the amount of water given twice a day to those plants that did not respond well to once a day watering, and there was immediate improvement.

This showed me that there are easily many ways to overwater a plant, not only in the amount of water you give while watering, but also in the number of times you give the plant

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water. There are other factors, of course, but mostly the number of times you water is based on your planting medium (this veg room used coco noir). However, soilbased rooms need to be watered less frequently.

The major reason overwatering can be a problem for plants is that there is oxygen uptake within the root system, and in many mediums there are air pockets created around the root system so that the plants can breathe. Unfortunately, if we overwater our plants, we are essentially drowning them, as we create an environment that becomes the perfect infestation site for many molds and aphids, as well as root rot, which can take down a whole plant from the base.

It is important to make sure that your pot size matches your plant regardless of the plant medium you use. The water is pulled from the soil through the root system, and if the root system isn’t able to reach the majority of the plant or quickly grow into its new pot size, it will not be able to reach and uptake the water like one would hope. Another helpful hint is making sure you have 1020% runoff while watering, which helps to flush the old nutrients from the soil.

In broad brush strokes, you should be watering your soil base every two to three days, with coco mixes being watered every one to two days. You can measure how your plants are doing on water absorption via a number of different methods, but there are two tried and true options. The first method involves putting your knuckle into the plant pot and, if it is wet, your plant still needs time to dry out. Another effective procedure is the lift method: If your plant pots are heavy, you are properly saturated, while if your plant pots are light, you will need to water.

My favorite thing about cannabis plants is that they are very responsive.

If you don’t start to see improvement quickly, you may want to check through more environmental problems that could be reducing the water intake of your plants, such as weak grow lights, small plant/big pot, heat above 85° F/30°C) and cold below 70°F, and a humidity that is too high. A number of things go into keeping the cannabis plant happy, so if you have a careful eye and a curious mind, no problem is too big or too small.

AGRICULTURE

DON’T PANIC, IT’S ORGANIC

BY CH AS GIL

Back in the 80s, I was a certified organic vegetable grower. Organic certification was fairly simple then. You filled out an application with MOFGA (Maine Organic and Farmers and Gardeners Association), and if you followed their rules, and passed an inspection, you got your certificate. It was a time-consuming task but worth the benefits.

This changed in 1990, when Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) to develop a national standard for organic food and fiber production.

With different states guidelines and an increase in abuses of the system, the federal government developed standardization. As one can imagine, having the government take over may not have been the best solution. This government intervention added costs, confusion, and complexity that are still present. I decided, like many, to drop the organic certification. Added paperwork and costs did not justify continuing in the program. My markets did not demand certification. I never would have guessed that 30 years later I would have a USDA-certified organic hemp crop.

The 2020 growing year was the first season that hemp growers could be certified organic by the USDA. I was hesitant about pursuing certification for several reasons.

Could the added cost be justified by a product value increase? I determined that even though both the crop and the drying process could be certified, there were no extractors that were certified in Maine. I could sell my CBG or CBD biomass or smokable flower, but not the oil extract or products made from it. Basically, my certification terminates after being extracted. I could not even claim that the hemp was grown organically on my product label. This was a real deal breaker for me, as spending many times more on fertilizer, combined with other costs to certify as well as increased paperwork, did not seem worth it.

Because of the instability of the market, and our desire to produce quality products and open wholesale markets, we decided to pursue the certification process without the means to extract. Fortunately, a processor has been granted USDA organic certification—Sterling Botanicals (sterlinghemp.com) in Lewiston received its MOFGA certification in mid-October. We now have an in-state processor that will extract using safer materials and will be able to label extracted products as USDA Organic. They will also process marijuana (THC) in compliance with the MOFGA MC3 program.

Very generally speaking, being USDA-certified organic means using no prohibited materials for three years prior to planting. Prohibited products are typically synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Certification fees MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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can easily approach $1,000. The federal government can reimburse certified growers and handlers for 75% of their certification costs, to a maximum of $750 per certification. To further offset the cost of certification for small organic businesses, MOFGA offers a rebate to clients who gross less than $10K per year in organic sales.

What does ‘CERTIFIED ORGANIC’ mean? It does not mean free from pesticides, but it does mean that only certain approved products can be used. Growers must not use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The products organic farmers can use are generally safer.

Basic organic standards have to deal with soil building and management of entire systems.

For organic certification, extensive documentation must be kept. A critical component to certification is Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), an international nonprofit that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing.

Founded in 1997, OMRI lists over 7,000 approved products and is always adding to the list.

The 2018 Farm Bill placed hemp (cannabis with less than .3% THC) into legal status and removed it as a Schedule I narcotic. With legislation passed, and the USDA interim final rule for domestic hemp production, MOFGA can now certify hemp production under the National Organic Program (NOP). Hemp growers in the U.S. can now cultivate under certain regulated situations with the USDA NOP confirming organically managed hemp can be certified organic.

Marijuana (cannabis with more than .3% THC) cannot be USDA-certified organic. Since marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, it is not able to participate in the program. To satisfy the organic labeling need, MOFGA has developed a program to certify marijuana called Certified Clean Cannabis (MC3). There are approximately 30 MC3 growers in Maine. Guidelines for MC3 parallel the national standards but are simpler to navigate. Until the federal government releases marijuana (THC) from its criminal status, it cannot be USDA-certified.

The organic system does get abused, and it does not inherently ensure good farming practices. Hemp is a bioaccumulator, meaning that it cleans the soil and extracts toxins in the soil, so it is often planted to clean up radioactive waste and spills from industrial sites. If this hemp is used for extraction and concentration, the resulting products can be unsafe. Buying local and direct from the farmer is the best way to ensure healthy and safe products. Demanding third-party testing for heavy metals, molds, mildew, and other concentrations is also still important.

In Maine, there can currently be no USDA-certified organic marijuana products; only hemp products can be certified. Any labeling to this effect is misleading and incorrect. As with all consumable commodities, it is the responsibility of the consumer to evaluate products and make educated decisions.

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HEALTH / WELLNESS

C H RO N I C PA I N B Y K AT I E W E I T M A N

Cannabis has been used to treat pain for hundreds of years. In fact, there is reference to the use of cannabis for pain management in all major ancient cultures from China to the Middle East, from Africa to Europe and the Americas. The earliest references to cannabis as medicine are believed to have come from the Pen Ts’ao, a medical text compiled by Chinese emperor ShenNung—known as the father of Chinese medicine. In 200 CE, Hua T’ao, a Chinese surgeon who reportedly pioneered complex surgeries such as organ grafts and intestinal resections, was said to use a preparation of wine and cannabis resin called ma-yo as an incredibly effective anesthetic that rendered his complex surgeries painless.

The Scythians (a group of tribes living on the borders of what are now Asia and Russia) are said to have been the first to bring cannabis from the Orient to the western world. The Mesopotamians in the Middle East and the Egyptians in North Africa both benefited from this migration and used cannabis topicals to treat inflammation. It is even supposed by some that references in the New Testament regarding Jesus’s healing powers are references to cannabis—for instance, the line in Acts of Thomas, “Thou holy oil given unto us for sanctification […] thou art the straightener of the crooked limbs.”

Cannabis continued its westward march up into the common era, and as late as the early 19th century, it was used by most cultures—including our own—for various types of pain, including, but not limited to, headaches, inflammation/arthritis, neuropathic pain, menstrual cramps, and labor pains. In 1859, Sir John Russell Reynolds, physician to Queen Victoria, wrote that, “For the relief of certain kinds of pain […] there is no more useful medicine than cannabis within our reach.”

Today chronic pain—defined as pain which occurs 100+ days a year—is the most common diagnosis cannabis is used to treat. Since its popularity and availability in modern western medicine have grown over the past 10+ years, many who suffer pain of all types have begun using CBD and/or THC or whole plant medicines to try and experience relief without the heinous side effects that come along with other treatments.

‘Pain’ can be broken down into two categories: ‘nociceptive’ pain and ‘neuropathic’ pain. ‘Nociceptive’ pain is defined as pain signaling impending or actual tissue damage. ‘Neuropathic’ pain refers to pain caused by the nervous system itself. Because of its antiinflammatory, neuroprotective, and muscle relaxant qualities, cannabis shows promise for the treatment of MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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most kinds of pain. Today it is commonly recommended for neuropathic pain (such as with diabetic neuropathy or MS), migraines and cluster headaches, cancer and HIV-related pain, and some kinds of muscle pain. A study done on 96 MS patients by researchers at the Rocky Mountain MS Center at the University of Colorado found that 32% use CBD and 52% use THC for pain.

In an article published by the Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain, “Chronic Pain Patients’ Perspectives of Medical Cannabis,” the authors detail ‘a developing basic science evidence base linking the cannabinoid neurotransmitter system to [nociceptive pain].’ They point out that high concentrations of CB1 receptors are found in many of the brain’s pain centers (the periaqueductal gray, spinal trigeminal nucleus, amygdala, and the basal ganglia, for instance), and that CB2 receptors found outside of the central nervous system are also thought to play a contributing role in pain management. The authors also note that the endogenous cannabinoids (that is, cannabinoids created by the body, as opposed to ‘phyto-cannabinoids,’ which are produced by cannabis plants)—anandamide and 2-arachidonlyglycerol (2AG)— also work to reduce pain by binding to presynaptic receptors and blocking neurons transmitted in response to painful stimuli.

Because the endocannabinoid system is both centrally and peripherally involved in the processing of pain signals, cannabinoid-based treatments may be especially effective at treating neuropathic and nociceptive pain. Additionally, cannabis is not a single medicine but is composed of numerous medicinal compounds that offer multiple mechanisms of action to combat pain.

While THC and CBD have analgesic properties all by themselves, several other molecular compounds found in cannabis (cannabinoids such as CBC, CBG, THC-A, and THC-V and terpenes like Beta Caryophyllene, Myrcene, and Linalool, to name a few) also work to treat pain, making whole plant medicine more effective than THC or CBD on their own. On top of that, new cannabinoids and their therapeutic properties are being

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discovered all the time, so it is reasonable to assume that cannabis works to kill pain in a whole lot of ways we don’t even know about yet.

Multiple studies have come out in the last few years showing that patients with access to medical cannabis use fewer opiates, and states that have made medical cannabis available generally have lower rates of drug addiction and overdose. A survey done in 2017 even reported that 97%(!) of patients ‘strongly agreed/

agreed’ that they are able to reduce their opioid consumption when also using cannabis. But, as with most conditions cannabis appears to treat, there is still limited empirical research to back up patients’ anecdotal evidence.

The CDC published a report in 2018 stating that in 2016, 20.4% of medical cannabis patients (or around 50 million people) were using marijuana to treat chronic pain. Many of these patients were looking to avoid or decrease opiate use. According to the CDC, over the last 20 years the opioid epidemic has killed almost a half a million Americans, with almost 50,000 in 2018 alone.

The majority of these deaths weren’t ‘junkies’ buying drugs off the street; they were average, everyday Americans prescribed legal pharmaceuticals by boardcertified medical providers. Between 2017 and 2018, prescription opioid overdoses increased by 13.5%, while over that same time period of time heroin-related overdoses decreased by 4%. Deaths are no longer caused primarily by dirty drugs distributed by cartels; they are the result of the over-prescribing of perfectly legal synthetic substances. There are no reported cases of death related to cannabis overdose.

There are many patients who are simply opposed to any psychoactive substances that lead to altered consciousness. These patients look for alternatives to synthetic opioids, but often overlook cannabis because of false information promoted by anticannabis institutions. A common misconception is that

cannabis always has psychoactive properties, and that these psychoactive properties are a major part of its therapeutic effects when treating pain. This is not the case. There are many ways to benefit from cannabis without the ‘high,’ and it is a much safer option than most other pain treatments.

The stigma attached to cannabis use has prevented providers from considering it as an alternative pain management option. Some hospital systems—most notably the VA—bar doctors from even discussing marijuana as medicine. This only causes patients in pain more undue suffering. Physicians need to be educated and free to discuss cannabis as an option with their patients so that they can make an informed decision regarding their treatment plan.

Cannabis can be an excellent alternative to traditional pain treatments. It helps not only with pain caused by injury and inflammation, but also with muscle spasticity (as with MS) and neuropathic pain (such as diabetic neuropathy). So, if you suffer from any kind of pain, start experimenting, and chances are you’ll be able to find a cannabis treatment method that works for you.

(Note: Patients should be careful about dosage because cannabis is biphasic, meaning that while small doses may have positive outcomes, higher doses can have the opposite effect. If you’re not opposed to inhalation options, they are a good way of starting out because they work quickly and are therefore easier to manage dose-wise.)

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HEALTH / WELLNESS

Finding Relief Through Cannabinoid Ratios B Y K AT H L E E N B R A D L E Y PA - C

Many of us are familiar with the effects of THC and CBD alone; however, there is much to be learned regarding the benefits of combining these two cannabinoids together. When combined, this dynamic duo has been proven to be extremely effective at managing pain and improving sleep as well as mitigating undesirable effects from THC. Different ratios of THC and CBD can produce different effects, giving the user a variety of options including functional daytime use or sedative nighttime therapy. Furthermore, the combination of these two cannabinoids helps amplify the positive effects that both have to offer. In this article, I’ll discuss the entourage effect, therapeutic THC:CBD formulations, and the benefits of using THC and CBD together.

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y K AT I E W E I T M A N

Terpenes are responsible for the aroma of the plant, whether it smells skunky, fruity, or earthy, and flavonoids are the compounds responsible for the color of the plant—some plants being deep purple while others are a lime greenish-yellow.

The combination of all of the compounds provides more therapeutic benefit than any of the individual parts alone. In other words, 1+1 gives you 3! This means that due to the entourage effect, less medicine is needed to achieve a therapeutic result. By using less medicine overall, the risk of undesirable effects also decreases.

CBD and THC have a unique synergy that amplifies positive results while mitigating negative side effects.

THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT The benefits of combining THC and CBD begin with the entourage effect. The entourage effect, first described in 1998 by Shimon Ben-Shabat and further refined by Raphael Mechoulam in 1999, describes the additive effect between all the compounds in the cannabis plant.

These compounds include cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

RATIOS A ratio is a term used to describe how one quantity relates to another. If you have two equal quantities of two substances, you have a 1:1 ratio. If you have twice as much of one substance compared to the other, you have a 1:2 ratio. If you have three times as much, you have a 1:3 ratio, and so on. Combining cannabis and hemp together in specific ratios can help tailor to specific therapeutic needs.

Cannabinoids are compounds, like THC and CBD,that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system.

DAYTIME USE By using ratios, patients are able to use cannabis and

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hemp throughout the day for symptom relief without feeling negatively altered. Healthy, middle-aged individuals on no other medications can begin to feel slightly altered by between 1-2mg of THC. If a patient who is new to cannabis/THC, or who is sensitive to their effects, combining 1-2mg of THC with 5-10mg of CBD may help significantly reduce any unwanted effects.

Low doses of CBD alone, such as under 20mg, have been shown to have a stimulating effect. Small doses of THC with larger doses of CBD, or a broad THC:CBD ratio, are well suited for daytime use as they are nonintoxicating and not sedating. As with any medication, start low and go slow. Dose requirements can vary greatly depending on patient tolerance, weight, metabolism, and overall health status.

Combining CBD with THC can make for a safer, more comfortable experience. Anxiety, paranoia, elevated heart rate, and short-term memory impairment can all occur with THC consumption. A patient may decrease most of these undesirable effects by consuming between 5-10 times as much CBD as THC, or a 1:5 or 1:10 THC to CBD ratio.

NIGHTTIME USE Ratios of THC to CBD can be used at nighttime to help achieve better sleep through a variety of ways. This dynamic duo can help with anxiety, pain, and muscle relaxation—all major contributors to insomnia. The combination of THC and CBD is more effective at treating any of these ailments than THC alone.

Thirty to 40mg or higher of broad spectrum CBD alone has been shown help with sleep. But due to the entourage effect, smaller 1:1 doses of THC:CBD, such as 10mg or more, can be sedative in patients with some tolerance to cannabis/hemp. When selecting a THC:CBD formulation, it is also important to select for sedating terpenes like myrcene and beta-caryophyllene.

In addition, using CBD in combination with THC can help reduce the “brain fog” feeling that can occur the day after consuming THC. THC and CBD have both shared and unique properties in and of themselves, and when combined these compounds have a synergistic effect that provides substantial therapeutic benefit. Cannabinoid ratios provide a way for patients to use cannabis/ hemp formulations while making the medicine safer and the experience more comfortable. They also provide an option for using a natural medicine to treat pain during the day without feeling altered. By combining these two cannabinoids, patients can amplify the positive effects while minimizing the undesirable ones.

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W

hat up, my fellow cannabis enthusiasts, are you ready to PARTY?

Yeah, me neither. Social distancing is so exhausting. You know what, life in general is pretty exhausting these days, isn’t it. A party just sounds like 26

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a lot of weird emotional work, and who’s got the energy for that?

in a blanket. Wake me when it’s safe to venture back into meatspace.

I mean, look, real talk, I am so horny for a real party. I dream of the moment I can interact with humans face to face, pass some fat joints around and then ravage a tray of pigs

Anyway, partying. You can’t do it safely in public right now, but behind closed and quarantined doors, a garden of delight awaits. I’m talking about coitus on cannabis, my dudes.

handy starter a e c ie p is th r e Consid ning or in g e b e s o th r fo manual annabis. c f o e s u ir e th g rekindlin With yourself, with a toy, or with one or more consenting adults. I recently heard a podcast about a lady who claimed to be having sex with a ghost. Hey, I don’t judge—you get down with that poltergeist, you freaky sex goddess! Do it high, even!

Before we get into it, a couple of notes. First, whether you’re pleasuring yourself or the entire population of adults in your quarantine bubble, it is always worth repeating: safety, consent and respect are everything.

Dig? Second, I suspect that for many readers of these pages, the use and enjoyment of weed in the sack is old hat. Consider this piece a handy starter manual for those beginning or rekindling their use of cannabis.

Now, fellas, take a break. Ladies, listen up: most of us know all too well that sex for us gal types can be an endeavor fraught with emotional, physical and even social challenges.

Cannabis in all of its glorious forms, flavors and functions can help ease some of the burden.

While studies about the effects that cannabis can have on sexual activities are slim, there are enough reputable organizations out there touting the benefits of using weed before sex that giving it a whirl seems worth conquering our fears.

And there are a lot of ways to do that.

Unless you’re living under a rock, you already know you can eat, vape or

smoke cannabis. But you can also take the edge off with tinctures, topicals or even weed lube. They make everything these days, the world is our oyster!

The Society of Cannabis Clinicians, a non-profit organization helmed by medical professionals, advocates for medicinal cannabis across a wide scope of use cases. They report a remarkable range of potential benefits to using cannabis as a complement to sex, including heightened emotional bonding, enhanced touch sensation, heightened libido, more intense orgasms and even the relief of chronic pelvic pain. Sounds pretty good, right?

But let’s not minimize the barriers to entry. Maybe every time you get high

“I’m talking about coitus on cannabis, my dudes.

With yourself, with a toy, or with one or more consenting adults.”

you get that anxious feeling and start remembering all the embarrassing shit you did in high school. Or maybe weed puts you right to sleep.

Or what about that time you ate a brownie, tripped balls for nine hours and ended up with an unshakeable “highover” we talked about in our last piece? You don’t want that if you’re low on time and trying to fit in a quality bang before the kids wake up.

Don’t despair. With all these doctors out there advocating for cannabisenhanced copulation, they must know something we don’t know. I bet a cursory Google search will turn up something useful...

Yikes! The internet. Some moderately deep Google searches on cannabis and sex resulted in a whole lot of bros fighting online about the method of ingestion, indica vs. sativa and what strains are best for the old stone-nbone. Pretty confusing stuff, and no real answers to be found for those of us lugging around a vulva.

So I decided it was time to do the research myself and boldly go forth into the bedroom armed with an array of stony treats to find out what cannabis and sex is all about.

First, let’s take a solo run before we call up the old ball and chain and ask for participation. I chose some sativa-leaning flower called “Wonka Bars” that I had on hand from a local delivery service and grabbed a glass piece to fire it up. I like this cultivar because it kicks off with a delightful heady high and a burst of creative energy, and then mellows into a body high that lasts for quite a while.

I love being stoned, but I don’t love being too stoned, so three hits and I hit the sheets to see if I could woo my own body into submission.

The results were mixed. While I enjoyed my solo play and felt really MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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good physically, my mind was wandering off like a toddler in the sugar cereal section of the grocery store. Little things that have been stressing me out served as irritating distractions, and it took what felt like forever to get over the proverbial, uh, hump. The next time I try this experiment, I might try to let a little time pass after smoking, to let the mental effects settle before having a lovely wank.

But we still have work to do, so let’s try another combination. This time I phoned up my partner and invited them over to enjoy dinner, vaping, and pants feelings. They arrived armed with their dry vape packed with some flower given to them by a neighbor, and I unsheathed my vape pen locked and loaded with a 1:1 THC to CBD cartridge from Live that they call Soothe.

To preserve the integrity of this obviously very scientific experiment, we forewent the dry vape and its mysterious contents and stuck to the cart instead. After a few hits, we got to relaxing horizontally and things progressed naturally from there.

And boy, did they progress. We chose some rhythmic music (DJ Drez, who mixes traditional tantra drumming and ragas with dancehall beats), dimmed the lights and blasted off to Sexy Town without so much as a second thought.

As fully matriculated (read: not exactly young anymore) adults, there are times when the activities of the day will prevent one or both of us from having an orgasm, but the sex is nice anyway. Not the case on this fateful day. We felt naturally adventurous, tried a couple of new-ish things and my partner experienced what they called “electric” sensations emanating from their junk to their face.

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The electricity was a bit intense for them, but did they get off? They certainly did—powerfully. And I did too. It makes sense; vape cartridges containing an even blend of THC to CBD (often called 1:1) are produced by adding CBD isolate to pure, broad-spectrum cannabis oil extracted from the plant’s flowers.

They’re less psychoactive than

“After a few hits, we got to relaxing horizontally and things progressed naturally from there.”

regular cannabis oil-only carts, but the addition of CBD offers deeper body sensations, relaxation and anxiety relief and a broader but more mellow range of effects than a more THC-leaning high.

The verdict? 10 out of 10, would bone again. I loved having sex during this high and would wholeheartedly recommend the 1:1 vape carts for any and all sexings.

But that might be too much for some gals new to the ganja scene.

So we also took it upon ourselves to try something neither of us had yet experienced: cannabis lube.

My partner was quite skeptical, wondering if it was just another way to sell pot to naive people. I had high hopes though, having tried topical

THC in the past for sore muscles with good results.

We tried Tetra Maine’s THC-infused lubricant from OMG Cannabis Company, made with coconut oil, THC extract and vanilla. We applied it liberally to our respective parts, and in about 20 minutes I started to feel a stirring of my loins. I may have been ready to rock from the anticipation of sex, or perhaps it was the lube itself, but either way, we got down to business about half an hour after application.

Neither of us got high per se, but for me it was remarkably easy to orgasm with a clitoris covered in coconutty cannabis. I felt a lot more sensitive than usual, which led to slippery, enthusiastic and relatively quick sex. My partner reported feeling quite warm in their naughty bits and enjoyed the feeling of hand and mouth stuff more than usual—they’re primarily a genitalon-genital enthusiast under normal circumstances.

So what’s the takeaway from all this?

I’ve decided that cannabis lube stays in rotation for any and all sex going forward and hope to see more Maine-made full spectrum products hit the market soon! I love that it won’t get you high so you can use it any time, and I loved how it made my body feel. It was effective, and I’d point to it as a great entry point for anyone looking to start experimenting with cannabis in the bedroom.

But beyond that, everyone’s body is so different. The way our brains and bodies react to different types of marijuana and how we ingest it is going to be different from person to person.

So if you want to get freaky on weed, experiment.

But take it slow! Of the three modes of ingestion I tried, lube ranks as the least Reefer Madness of the bunch and would be a great place to start for anyone new to the game.

Vaping and smoking are by now standard-issue ways of using cannabis, and for me, when sailing the high seas of fornication, I prefer the 1:1 THC to CBD vape for its balanced mix of body sensations without heady effects that can cause anxiety.

Maine producers and retailers offer an unbelievable array of THC to CBD balanced products that offer that same pleasurable mix of relief to the body and brain. We skipped edibles

this time after doing our deep dive in the last issue, but I can report from experience that very low-dose edibles (5mg max), like the Green Apple 5mg Gummies from Le Kine Kitchen, would be another solid way to achieve that yummy, mellow sex high.

As we discussed in our last YH, the key to feeling great and avoiding disaster when you ingest any type of cannabis product is dosing low and then waiting at least one to two hours to see how you feel. It’s your body, and you left peer pressure behind in high school, so never feel compelled to take more than you feel comfortable with, and keep checking in with your body and your emotions.

slippery seas of pot-sex for the first time, don’t drink any alcohol. Booze and weed have a bad habit of suddenly going wrong on you if you’re not careful or wellseasoned in terms of tolerance.

Just one substance at a time, ladies, don’t be a hero. Drink water or some yummy herbal tea instead, and keep that sweet kitty cat hydrated for maximum lubrication!

And with that, I leave you until the next issue, in which we’ll continue our adventures together with… well, you’ll just have to get the next issue to find out! Stay safe out there, be kind to yourself and your community and get your masked face to the nearest Maine pot shop to gather all the provisions for the best sex of your life. XO,YH

Oh, and pro tip: if you’re sailing the

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A STICKY NEW YEAR An Interview with StiCky B Y M AT T M E LT O N P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M AT T M E LT O N

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ARTS & CULTURE Off the beaten path and far from the bright lights of our cities is the only way to find your way to the reclusive and ever elusive StiCky, or as you may better know him, @stickyclawdraws on Instagram. We’ve observed his ever-growing creative impact in the cannabis community, as each new piece shared in his repertoire showcases his expanding clientele, and interest from fellow members of the “cannafam” in Maine and beyond!

But who the heck is this guy?! Well, I had the opportunity of meeting this interesting fellow firsthand, and boy was it a great time!

MCC: Let’s back things up a bit. Paint us a picture of your journey, leading up to StickyClawDraws.

SC: “My journey starts right here in Maine. I am a native, and like most others reading your publication,had that “down home Maine experience” growing up in the woods and watching all of this amazing cannabis stuff unfold. I graduated high school locally and proceeded off to Florida, then off to New Hampshire to obtain my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. After college, I worked a plethora of jobs, from retail, as a barista, to marketing, and even in monument design and installation [headstones]. All along the way, I never lost sight of my passion for the arts and creativity. Around 2012, I made my way home again and apprenticed in the tattoo scene, but ultimately decided that wasn’t right for my career. I love being reclusive and working with individuals in a more personal, low-chaos, and creatively conducive space. Not long after this, I decided to hop on a bus and head south to see what may unfold down there. No real savings or plan...just took a chance.

“This led to building out an old van and converting it to both a home and mobile apparel print shop, all themed around the horror genre. Mostly marketing on social media, it took off and was a lot of fun for a few years.

Over time, I found myself boxed in thematically, so alas... the desire for more began to grow. In 2019, I returned to Maine again for a family emergency only to realize that I had unknowingly longed deeply for the North. The fall, the winter, the snow!

“Once back, I was contacted by one of my oldest friends over at BudTeeCo. At this time, he was just getting his new shop location up and running and asked me to help out. Naturally, I was down, so I helped him set up the new space—built some tables, opened and closed boxes, folded shirts, made coffee runs, whatever really.

During our long hours of this work, my friend made a statement I will never forget. ‘Yo, dude...you should’ve been doing cannabis designs and had an Instagram for it, like two months ago.’

“Man, was he right. I took his advice wholeheartedly, and he connected me with a few wonderful clients.

Everything just snowballed from there, and as such, StiCky was born.”

MCC: That’s amazing! Who/what are your biggest influences?

SC: “Man, that’s tough. It’s all about the journey, learning who you are, and what you really enjoy doing.

And it never really ever stops completely, you know?

“The oldest memories of influence I have would be drawing my toys and action figures. I would often pause childhood movies and spend hours and hours drawing the scenes and characters. Drawing was all I really knew deeply, and it was the only place that felt like home. I was always getting in trouble for drawing in class. It could just take me anywhere I wanted to go.

“During my high school years, I started gravitating toward the surreal, mind-bending artists, like Salvador Dali and MC Escher. At this time, I had a growing relationship with cannabis, so it made sense. One thing I will never forget is being told by one particular art teacher, ‘See...this is really incredible...but you can’t make a career out of drawing marijuana.’ That is just too darn funny now.

“During college, I was exposed to more contemporary artists. I fell in love with the styles of artists like Alex Pardee, Tomer Hanuka, Audrey Kawasaki, and Jeff Soto.

I love artists with a broad spectrum of talent. It’s really incredible to watch contemporaries grow and develop.

They show you that anything is possible if you want it badly enough and believe in yourself. These days, it’s simply anything creative that embodies that very spirit. It doesn’t matter if you are just getting started or appear to be an expert. If you got heart and true spirit...I dig ya!”

MCC: Speaking to the heart my brother! So, what does StickyClawDraws mean to you? Or better yet, what is his ethos?

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SC: “This work to me is both a personal and a shared experience. People come to you with these incredible ideas, or what I often refer to as “highdeas.” They have this amazing grow, shop, product, or overall great medicine. They just can’t manifest (by themselves) the imagery of how their creative mind sees their brand identity. So, for me, having this ability becomes a very meaningful exchange that I can have with each person.

It creates a task that is truly meaningful for me, where I’m allowed to be myself and utilize the best parts of myself, and it is no longer work. If your ultimate form of play can be what you do for work, then what is better than that? In short, the ethos of StiCky is doing what I love to do, working alongside amazing individuals and companies doing just the same.”

MCC: Nice! Now that is what I would call the American Dream. How has Maine cannabis influenced you?

SC: “Maine cannabis and cannabis in general has greatly influenced and empowered my life. I experienced it around the age of 15 and loved it right from the beginning. It has improved a lot over the years and has always been a staple in my adult life. It helps me relax, overcome anxiety and depression, and center my thoughts and formulate my ideas into one concise image or concept. It has always been something that provides encouragement for deep thinking and methods of creativity. “Cannabis also reminds me to eat.

That might sound ridiculous, but anyone who knows me, knows I am very project-oriented and forget to eat for most of the day. I would say that cannabis [as I’m sure everyone reading this is probably aware] is a great gift from mother, Gaia, Earth. She provides incredible healing and nourishing power. Cannabis is one of those gifts, with capabilities far beyond and far more healing than the ways it has benefited me. It has been a staple to my life and my art, and I’m sure that will continue for the rest of my life. To be working within this community and visually representing it through each individual piece is just incredible to me. I’m truly grateful.”

MCC: Amazing dude. Do you have a personal favorite from your portfolio?

SC: “The thing is, each project I do becomes my next favorite. I get super stoked on them, and each one is a brand new and exciting thing. I love the fun and creativity of the exchange with each person. Once a piece is completed, I feel this is my next best thing. But like any typical artist or creative, that exact moment is fleeting, and you start thinking, “what’s next?” So, I would say my favorite piece is...yours. Reader, hit me up!”

MCC: Haha, I love that. What are some “fun facts” about yourself?

SC: “One fact readers might find interesting is that I’m actually colorblind af! I have difficulty distinguishing between a lot of colors. Essentially, the spectrum of color that I see is limited compared to the normal eye.

Creatively, this can be stifling at times, but that is a huge reason why I use the digital approach when it comes to color and final touches. Each piece I create

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starts as a sketch, is inked, and then comes to life digitally.

“It’s taken years of practice, and two “color theory courses,” but I am able to now freely navigate the color spectrum charts when choosing color palettes for each piece. A lot of times I will have clients send me color swatches or pantones for the colors that they want to specifically use. This way, I can directly sample those colors and use them. So, in this day and age, there are ways around any challenge, and I can still accomplish something great!

“Another fact to note was my decision this past February to begin building myself a tiny home! It seemed like the logical next step, post “van-life.” What I didn’t expect is how far it would come along, so quickly! The really incredible part is that it has been made entirely possible by way of these projects within the cannabis community. I am beyond grateful for each and every person out there who has been a part of this.

Thank you so very much for supporting me both as a creative and in my personal journey.”

MCC: No way! That’s incredible. What can we expect to see from you in 2021?

SC: “Well, that’s probably the most exciting part. I haven’t a clue! I never entirely know what the future will hold. This could keep going, or it could end in an instant.

That’s why it’s always important to enjoy the moment and be grateful for everything you have. People have reached out to me from all over. Initially, client interest was more focused in the Maine area. However, over time it has branched further. I’ve now worked with clients in over 10 states. My hope for the future would be for this momentum to continue. I hope that my work might remain a preferred embodiment of cannabis brand identities, that more connections will grow, and so too will this amazing creative exchange I get to have with each and every person. I’ll draw just about anything so long as it’s for good people, in good taste, and supports someone with a good heart. So, here’s to 2021, and even more lit graphics for more lit people!”

MCC: Very well said! It’s surreal, the connection you have with your work and client base. It’s no longer just business, but a very powerful movement. Big thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat. It has been a pleasure, and cheers to 2021 and beyond!

ARTS & CULTURE

S H O P T RO L L : B U D F RO M B U D T E E C O .

B Y D I A N A G O N Z E AU

Walking into the brightly lit workspace of Bud Tee Co. feels like walking onto the set of an episode of Seinfeld that takes place in an automotive sweatshirt paint factory. Stacks of T-shirts and hoodies with names anyone in the game would recognize are stacked on tables and spilling out of boxes. A rotating cast of

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S T I C K Y

faces can be seen on any given day, poking their heads through the window cut in the wall—Kramer style—to pick up orders, hop on a press, or just shoot the shit.

Notes are scrawled here and there, and one door is covered top to bottom in brand stickers—my favorite being a little cupcake that says “Cake Dealer.” This MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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is clearly “Not Your Cousin’s Print Shop,” and what appears chaotic at first reflects the genius-borderingon-madness mind of the man himself—Bud. A Portland native who moved to the Maine countryside, Bud started his career going to vocational school for graphic communications. The tender age of 18 had him working at a local sign and print shop, where he was transformed forever into a “shop troll” (his words), chained to the printing press for 40 hours a week. Here he wrapped sheriff vehicles and fire trucks, an irony not lost on me as I spy the MIDS POLICE hoodies hanging from the racks. While I don’t think any cop cars will be sporting his handiwork anytime soon, he is still in the wrap game—if you’ve seen a Mr. Tuna or High Roller Lobster truck, you’ve seen his handiwork.

In 2008, he was working at a shop in Portland printing shirts for radio stations, high school sports teams, and the like. That wasn’t scratching the itch for him, though, so when his friend Bobby invited him in 2011 to come work as the printer for Shop Chronic in Gardiner, he jumped at the chance. Shirts were printed en masse and brought to the Boston Freedom Fest and other notable events where they sold out time after time. The designs they were putting out, and the two e-nails with rigs setup for dabs, ensured their booth was consistently the most popular. With that success, the seeds were planted for what would become Bud Tee Co. When Bud branched out on his own four years ago, he was printing apparel for restaurants, bars, and carpentry and landscaping businesses. But the seed had germinated, and a year ago it was finally ready to sprout, as more and more independent growers started finding him. He talked an old friend, Sticky Claws, into moving back to Portland with a very persuasive argument, “Let’s just do weed shit, man!”

He rebranded in 2019 and began focusing almost exclusively on cannabis industry work. When asked why, Bud said he had been “selling weed since the eighth grade, but got out when it got legal,” yet he never lost the desire to mix work with pleasure. On top of that, “I know things can be done another way,” Bud said. In addition to printing apparel for different brands, Bud features gear that sports original designs with inside jokes for those that constitute the backbone of the growing cannabis industry. Like every line cook I’ve ever met, Bud loves inside jokes.

Bud trademarked the phrase CANNABIS ENTHUSIAST,

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which he says is “for the people.” Soon, he’ll be launching Maine Weed Tees, where the dedicated cannoisseur can find collector’s tees from different growers. When you think about it, these could be like the Beanie Babies of our time, as different brands emerge, thrive, or fail. Who will go down in history, at this turning point in the end of the war on drugs, as cannabis becomes legitimized? What clever shirts will be made and in what limited quantities? Bud’s goal is to provide elevated stoner gear of a “higher” quality than the Hot Topic pot tees of yore. His favorite designs of the moment are Atlantic Farms for the clever simplicity of their logo and Brigid Farm for a classic athletic look.

Bud’s favorite strain is Dead Head OG Kush from Capital Cultivation—energetic and low anxiety. His preferred method of intake is shatter and concentrates, but he “tries not to be a terp slurper.” When asked how cannabis affects his own work, he cites “state-dependent learning,” some things about his process he learned to do while high and therefore he does them better while high.

He uses cannabis for creativity and finds it best for tasks that require accessing a flow-state, like working the printing press.

Bud thrives on local energy and likes to be dependable.

He prides himself on holding his work to printing industry standards, but says it is tough to be a small business and deal with people who don’t understand the process (or that he’s for the most part a one-man-show with guest stars). Last-minute orders, late deposits, and people who expect a oneweek turnaround on a six-color design really grind his gears, as do after-hours social media DMs that customers treat like official correspondence. “Do I hit you up at 10 p.m. about your job? No.” And don’t get him started on order forms.

Bud’s dream is to continue down the rabbit hole, adding on new printing methods like simulated processing, incorporating gold foil, and creating more original designs. He says there’s “lots he can do, but can’t do it for everybody,” and so he avoids any sort of competitive energy. He’s more interested in building community, and while he wants to be known as the cannabis industry print shop, he says there is more than enough work to go around. He also admits, “I’m not for everybody.” It does take a quick mind to keep up with Bud’s dialogue, but if you appreciate fast-paced, multilayered jokes or thought the movie “Waiting” was a riot, stop by the print shop and stick your head through the window. Just make sure you make an entrance befitting a sitcom.

SHOP DOG

Griz from White Mountain Cannabis Co. Well how you doin’ bub?! I’m the chiseled hunk of handsome known as Griz from White Mountain Cannabis Co. I’m a good ol’ local boy, born and raised right here in Bethel. I’m a lot like my favorite strain, Pura Vida (found right here at White Mountain): a cross of classic breeds that are known to be bold, vibrant, and sometimes rock a pungent aroma (Hey, it’s a wet dog thing!).

Most days you can find me patrolling the clone and veg rooms with the same intensity as a hungry cop circling around their local Dunkin’ Donuts. Speaking of which, bacon is my favorite treat. Not that gross fake crap you find at a pet store, I’m talking about the bacon you can only find on your big human’s plate at breakfast. I’ve been known to let my nose get the better of me on occasion; once I catch a scent, you can find me running around sniffing harder than John Belushi in Chris Farley’s bathroom. Everyone around here knows that if you plan to relax on the couch, you won’t be alone. If you’re looking to put your feet up, I’ll be right there chillin’ like a snowball in an ice chest. So come visit me and my humans at White Mountain when you can. (Try the Pura Vida!) I’ll be here guarding the plants and sneaking bacon off plates in pairs, one for me and one in loving memory of my cuddle buddy Stella, who is deeply missed and remembered adoringly by the entire family. Life is short, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers...heck, don’t forget to stop and smell everything. I know I will! Much love to you all, Griz.

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ARTS & CULTURE

MUSIC IS MAGIC DJ LADY S

B Y AW P P H O T O G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F D J L A DY S 2020: the 2020th year of the Common Era (CE), the year we find ourselves having just moved through, adjusting to a new normal, daily grasping the realness of our new life. 2020, a term used universally to describe ‘clear vision,’ and 2020 marking the 17th year of DJing for DJ Lady S. It is believed among many traditional cultures that what is a gift or a talent that comes naturally to you is where you are meant to change the world. According to light research into Islamic numerology, it is said that the number 17 represents the number of words in the call of prayer, ‘rak’a’ or salaa (liturgical gestures) forms part of the five daily prayers. Prayer is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and the practicing faith of DJ Lady S. The number 17 is considered to be linked to musical theory and the harmony of spheres. Fitting, as we find ourselves witnessing a time where we are able to create and recreate ourselves and our lives in order to bring harmony within, a time where every industry from farming to entertainment is shifting itself for the best of the universal community. Music is a universal language with the ability to transcend and penetrate every race, gender, and creed.

Sahira Chadouli, whose roots are spread out in Morocco, North Africa, was born in the diamond capital of the world, the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Spreading her wings and settling in the USA, DJ Lady S is a woman of the world who has for 17 years used her platform as an international DJ, as well as an influencer, to bring a message of love and unity through music. Born to Moroccan parents who migrated to Belgium to provide

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their family with an opportunity to begin a life where their dreams were on fertilized soil to grow, Sahira and her brother (who is also an internationally known DJ by the name of DJ Cal aka Killa CAL) grew up in a household where music was the way of life—a way of bringing and sustaining harmony, through instrumentals, beats, and family. With the family adapting to a Western lifestyle, the children were raised in the way of Moroccan-Arabic traditions, rooting them in wisdom passed down from generations before them. Raised with these traditions and a way of being has seen doors open for DJ Lady S—doors only consistent hard work, passion, and love could open. “Being Moroccan Arabic, born and raised in Europe, and (now) living in the USA has only made me a big melting pot of fabulous things,” says DJ Lady S. Before DJing on a plane for Tomorrowland’s party flight or being a featured DJ at Tomorrowland for three consecutive years (to mention but a pinhead of the achievements both great and small), DJ Lady S grew up spending most of her time with her best friend, DJ Cal, or as she knows him, brother. DJ Cal would practice his sets while his sister looked on, observing her brother’s technique and skill—music bonding the siblings. It was after S realised how good she was when simply messing around that she became motivated; coming home to work on her own technique and skills on her brother’s equipment became Sahira’s favorite after-school activity. Grasping the influence she had over the crowd at her very first gig, she said, “I realized that I was in control of their mood, there and then, and I thought it was a magical thing, that through music, I

was able to give people a good time.” The musical gene was passed down, and it was only a matter of time before DJ Lady S soared through the airwaves like an eagle, rising above expectation and stepping forward with humility.

In 2012, Sahira, a young woman not afraid to work hard and put in time, sacrificed the little she had to reap the reward of seeing her dreams come true. Walking into one of the top three national radio stations in Belgium– Radio MNM–with no experience or call up, Sahira walked in and claimed her position. Courageously asking her now co-host Brahim if she could spin some records on his show during summer, Brahim accepted.

The two now co-host a show together. “I guess they saw the passion and love and after (interning) for a few months, they offered me my own show,” Sahera recalls.

Over the next 17 years, Lady S worked her way up, not only living her own dream but now also in a position to create a space where those like her are able to work towards living their dreams. MNM taught Lady S how to create and run her own show, with no experience.

Success is determined by how much you want it and how hard you are willing to work. The radio station saw the spark in S and chose to fuel her fire, a fire that has connected DJ Lady S with many local and international artists and DJs throughout the years. DJ Lady S hosts her own show, “Homecoming,” a platform to give local up-and-coming artists and DJs an opportunity to showcase their talent.– Those selected are given time on national radio, a dream come true for many aspiring artists. Lady S, seeking the spark cultivated through hard work and originality, is drawn to artists who are unique and willing to break the mold, those who lead with courage, integrity, and heart. Music production, the roots, where you are able to create sounds that will take to the waves, is a tier in the music industry DJ lady S reached when she released a CD mixed by herself, the name titled with the former radio show name, the album released through Universal records and other online streaming platforms. “Now it’s not about playing music, but producing music, music that makes people

catch a vibe. Priceless,” S says. She took to music production, being open to learning and crafting a sound she knows will change the waves, and released her own single in 2019 called “Mami Work” (which can be found on Spotify). With the knowledge and belief that music can change the vibe of a room, S has drawn inspiration from all across the world.

“I feel rich and blessed that I own so many parts of the world in me. Those are big pluses. It feels great to be a woman of the world,” says S. Music has taken Lady S to countries she never knew the names of, being able to enjoy a good time with people with whom she did not share the same tongue, music being the only language everyone understood. Music bringing people together.

S uses this universal language to draw inspiration from every corner of the earth, with Arabic music being the foundation for drawing inspiration, with its instruments and elements, a sure source of inspiration. Lady S has also incorporated Afrobeats (Western Africa), crossing the seas of K-Pop (Korea), coming full circle to Reggaeton (Latin America) to mention a few, but for her, no genre is out of bounds.

S believes in being easy on herself in times of creative standstill, standing still to celebrate the wins, knowing you are putting in the hard work and deserve a pat on the back. She keeps the mindset of focused work, service, and rooting herself in the love of all. Dedication and the work ethic instilled by falling down and getting back up again has seen DJ Lady S have her own residency at club Hï in Ibiza, the number 1 club in the world at the time, rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest DJs in the world. “I still feel honored and get butterflies when I think about it,” S says. This year, with shutdown due to the pandemic, Lady S has shifted her focus to music production, allowing this time of change to be channeled into sounds that will uplift and encourage all those who may feel downtrodden in this strange time. Lady S is ready to bring the vibe, one beat at a time. December 17 2020, DJ Lady S released her new single “All Mine’’ featuring African artist Kriticos (@Kriticos) whose roots are in Zambia and Tanzania.

All Mine is currently streaming on all major streaming platforms, a ‘summer hit’ to warm us through this cold winter has been playing on local and international stations since its release. The music video too proved that artists create in the midst of chaos; using her IPhone DJ Lady S (insta: @djladys) shot her parts to the video to the single “ALL MINE”, the result a work of art! The video is currently streaming on Youtube. The pandemic has brought the dance party to your living room, DJ Lady S launched her Twitch account, going live weekly to give you that feel good feeling, each show crafted to have you off your seats; the most will be made of the change we have moved through.

Lady S has personally chosen by choice of her faith to abstain from alcohol and any drugs, including cannabis. However, Sahira has seen the positive effects of cannabis when used rightfully and respectfully, including in members of her own family. As long as people use it rightfully, she is pro-legalization. Two industries—music and cannabis—have been called on right now to help raise the vibration of earth!

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CRISPY CHICKE N WINGS WITH SWEET CHILI B U F FA LO SAU C E & BUTTERMILK BLUE CHEESE DIP + WI NTE R CR AN B E R RY SPRITZER B Y Z AC H S Q U I R E P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y Z AC H S Q U I R E

FOOD

Hi, I’m Zach. I’m 27 years old, and I was born in York, Maine, but I grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as my parents disliked sales tax. I’m a true Mainer at heart, so as an adult I relocated back to a place where the possession laws are reasonable: Kittery, Maine. Like most of the kids with glassy red eyes in the industry, I started washing dishes in a restaurant at 14 and fell in love with the kitchen and the fast-paced lifestyle that went with it. I continued to grind and learn from great chefs in the area until finally opening my first restaurant at the age of 22 with my brother— a farm fresh cafe in Northwood, NH called Umami. It was fun for a while, but I’ve since moved on.

I’ve found that cannabis is very common in the restaurant industry and has been for a long time.

That’s where I was introduced to it, so I guess I would have to say being in the kitchen sort of got me into cannabis. Now, being the chef I am today, I see how much the restaurant and cannabis industries have in common, and my goal is to bring them together like long lost brothers on a daytime talk show. To me, nothing brings people together the way a good meal can (besides cannabis, of course). Both bring joy and create unforgettable memories that can be brought back by something as simple as a scent—like the smell of your grandmother’s chicken pot pie or a whiff of that Sour Diesel you smoked as a teen. My goal is to bring these two incredible things together—cannabis and the culinary arts—to push the experience of how we consume food, cannabis, and plant-based medicine.

Who wouldn’t want some chicken pot pot pie?

Music is also a huge part of my life, pretty much on par with food and cannabis. Funny how they’re members of the same band. Sure, the solo albums from KISS members are great, but you don’t get songs like “Love Gun” without the group as a whole. While I’m in the kitchen, an eclectic collection of music is playing the ENTIRE time, from Mozart to the Insane Clown Posse (joking). Working with so many different types of people in numerous kitchens has grown my appreciation of it all. If I had to choose my favorite band while cooking or in the kitchen, I would have to say Khruangbin. While relaxing or smoking, I’m probably spinning the hazy classics of the Grateful Dead. Highend food, much like high-end cannabis, is only as good as the people you share it with, so pass the plate and

pass the joint—we have a life to enjoy!

Best meal and smoke? If you asked me 10 years ago, I would have said a gravity bong and a BLT. Nowadays, I’d probably say a nice joint filled with some Grapes & Cream with some Dim Sum munchies (traditional Chinese small plates, for example BBQ pork steamed buns, gyoza, soup, and dumplings...oh man!).

In five years, I see myself continuing to grow Squier’s Edibles and pushing the limits with cannabis and food, encouraging people to get cooking and making infused food of their own. Also, I hope to have the opportunity to open another restaurant in the near future; that’s one thing I miss, a place of my own.

Winter Cranberry Spritzer 15mg THC per cocktail

ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP 1 cup white sugar 1 cup water 5-6 sprigs fresh rosemary DIRECTIONS 1. Combine sugar, water, and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Strain and let cool.

3. Place cranberry sauce, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and rosemary simple syrup in a shaker with ice and shake for 15 seconds.

4. Strain over ice, top with soda water, and garnish with rosemary and an orange wheel.

BARTENDER’S NOTES: If you don’t have a shaker, this cocktail can be made simply by combining ingredients and stirring till mixed thoroughly. For best results, be sure to use fresh fruit!

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Crispy Chicken Wings with Sweet Chili Buffalo Sauce & Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dip 100mg THC total

INGREDIENTS 3 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional) Celery sticks (optional) Carrot sticks (optional) BRINE 8 cups water ½ cup soy sauce or tamari ½ cup kosher salt 1 small nub fresh ginger 3 fresh garlic cloves 6 tablespoons white sugar RUB 2 tablespoons baking powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt BUTTERMILK BLUE CHEESE DIP 1 ounce blue cheese, crumbled ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sour cream ¼ cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives (extra for garnish) 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper SWEET CHILI BUFFALO SAUCE ½ cup Squier’s THC Infused Sweet Chili Sriracha (half bottle) 4 tablespoons cold, UNSALTED butter, cubed (half stick)

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DIRECTIONS 1. Combine all ingredients for brine in a mediumsized pot and bring to a simmer. Once a simmer is reached, immediately shut off and allow to cool.

2. Once brine is cooled, add chicken wings to brine and refrigerate for at least eight hours or preferably overnight.

3. Once wings are brined, preheat the oven to 425°.

4. Strain wings, discard garlic and ginger, and pat dry with paper towels 5. In a separate bowl, mix together rub and toss with wings to evenly coat.

6. Line a baking sheet with foil, top that with an oven safe baking/cooling rack, and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

7. Place chicken wings on the sheet pan with the baking rack, making sure not to crowd wings.

8. Bake for 50 minutes (size of wings may vary cooking time), flipping wings after 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. 9. While wings bake, whisk together ingredients for blue cheese dip in a large mixing bowl, transfer to a small serving bowl, and set aside. To make the buffalo sauce, bring Squier’s Sweet Chili Sriracha to a simmer in a small saucepan.. While the sauce is heating, cut butter into cubes.

10. Once sauce is hot, whisk in cold butter adding gradually until incorporated. Set aside and let cool.

11. When wings are finished, remove from the oven and let rest for five minutes, then transfer to a large bowl and toss with sauce.

12. Transfer wings to desired serving dish (don’t leave any sauce in the bowl!), garnish with chopped chives and toasted sesame seeds, and serve with buttermilk blue cheese dip and carrot and celery sticks. Enjoy!

CHEF’S NOTES: Due to chicken wings varying in size, cooking time and dosage may fluctuate. For dosing, use this simple equation: 100mg ÷ number of wings = mgs per wing.

This recipe can easily be doubled, using a whole bottle of Sweet Chili Sriracha. Cook responsibly.

166 Central Street Millinocket, Maine Scheduled Pickup | Delivery magiccitymedshop.com (207) 261-1004 Amy Madore Harris, Owner

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SHOWCASE

MAI N E S HOWCAS E

BY M R . RO O T S

P H OTO G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F I N T H E T R E E S P O D C A S T P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M AT T M E LT O N

Grapes and Cream Flower Cure Cannabis Co. products can be found in-house or at quality caregiver storefronts throughout Maine. Find them on WeedMaps or check them out in Auburn, ME. Give them a follow on Instagram @curecannabis3.0.

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Lit Girl Goodies’ Chocolate Chip Cookie 240mg Lit Girl Goodies’ FruityPebble Hot Cocoa 120mg

Citrus Jasmine Green Tea, Slow Brew Coffee, and Vietnamese Coffee, 20mg, THC Empyreal Beverages

Lit Girl Goodies’ edibles are available at Cure Cannabis, Kind Guy, Green Truck Farms, American ReLeaf, Strawberry Fields Apothecary, The Shack, Beach Boys Cannabis Company, Fire on Fore + More. Follow Lit Girl Goodies on Instagram @litgirlmaine.

Empyreal’s fine beverages are available at premium storefronts around Maine. Give them a follow on Instagram @ empyrealeverages.

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Green Truck 100mg Gummies: Mellow Melon, Just Peachy, Tropical Blasted, Stoney Orchard, and Blazed Berry Unicorn Poop Badder Tagalong Flower Oreoz Flower Green Truck’s array of products can be found in-housein North Berwick, ME. You can also find their complete menu on WeedMaps. Follow them on Instagram @greentruck3.0.Apothecary, The Shack, Beach Boys Cannabis Company, Fire on Fore + More. Follow Lit Girl Goodies on Instagram @litgirlmaine.

Premium Resin and Live Rosin Gummies Find these delicious gummies and more at Cure Cannabis in Auburn, Maine. Give them a follow on Instagram @dunnygummy.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil with 400mg Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract Squier’s Specialty Edibles are available at premium storefronts around Maine. Give them a follow on Instagram @squiers207.

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Grapes and Cream Flower Cure Cannabis Co. products can be found in-house or at quality caregiver storefronts throughout Maine. Find them on WeedMaps or check them out in Auburn, ME. Give them a follow on Instagram @curecannabis3.0.

Pebble Pie, Currylato, and Lost Coast Hash Plant Flower Paul Boutique Nursery products are available at their Windham storefront. Give them a follow on Instagram @paulsboutiqueofmaine.

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REVIEWS

Strain Safari with The Strainger B Y I A N S T UA R T

Bobbing and Weaving Through a Hangover with Weaving Genetics Everyone needs a hangover cure; mine happens to be dabs. Lots of dabs. I turned 35 at the end of November and celebrated by drinking like a land-locked shark at a water fountain. The next morning I was a wreck—oldschool, college-level hangover. After spending most of my morning shower lying down and groaning, I make my way to my office where I have a variety of new concentrates from Weaving Genetics waiting for me: three amazing live resin strains, Wilma, Ms. Universe, and Island Spice. The first concentrate I tear into is the potent and pungent Ms. Universe. A mix of citrus and pool chemicals, the scent alone will give you a buzz.

One hit and my body is vibrating like a cheap motel bed. I reach for the Wilma next. A lighter event than the previous dab, it was almost like smoking a can of Sprite.

Clean and refreshing, the hangover begins to slow its pace. “The last dab will do ya,” so I dig into the Island Spice. A floral aroma hits your nose with the subtlety of a bouquet being used as a pair of brass knuckles. The heady hit tastes as if someone added black pepper to your guava juice. Every dab was unique and tasty, and I was also too high to be hung over anymore. Mission accomplished. Now if only dabs helped you clean up after a party too, that’d be some best friend status right there.

Cannabis Cove Hydroponics and Comedy I had a socially distant corporate comedy gig this last weekend. Before heading up to the venue, my buddy introduced me to his friend over at Cannabis Cove Hydroponics in Harpswell. They were nice enough to hand me off a sampling of their frosted flowers. Their Mimosa strain smelled and tasted like champagne and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Their Wilma strain was dark and sweet like a cherry-lime rickey, tasting like a trip to a penny candy store. Lastly, the Miss Universe strain smelled and tasted like a week old box of BerryBerry Kix; Ian tested and Ian approved. I loved the Miss Universe strain, and at over 22% THC, it was my strain of choice as a road companion to my gig. The show went well, and I had fun. As I jumped off stage and headed to the parking lot to spark my jay, the head of the company walked up to me with his hand out holding a business card, “You were made for this.

I could get you into your own office with an assistant

immediately.” I take the card, study it, and think, “Does he want to offer me a job because he thinks my on-stage persona is THAT charming or because he thinks I am a terrible performer in obvious need of real employment?” So I look at him with a grin, “Eh, couldn’t pass a drug test.” He shrugs it off and laughs, “I wouldn’t have offered you a job if we drug tested here.”

Headed back home, I throw the business card out the window as I light up the remainder of the super tasty Miss Universe strain.

Casco Bay Cannabis on the Line “You ready to party this weekend, maaaaan?!” My buddy couldn’t be more excited to take me on my first ice fishing trip. We are headed up north to his cabin in the woods, and my only instructions are “bring a ton of weed dude!” Done. I had just gotten a generous care package from my friends over at Casco Bay Cannabis.

They set me up with four different strains of organically grown ganja: Mob Moose, Blue Cheese, Blueberry Ice Cream, and Purple Lemon Nightmare. All of the buds were varying degrees of dark green, all of them coated in trichomes that shimmered like a sunset reflecting off of a churning ocean. The Mob Moose and Blueberry Ice Cream strains were earthy and peppery on the nose and the lips. The Purple Lemon Nightmare and the Blue Cheese both had overt fruity elements in their aromas and smoke. The Blue Cheese smelled like an exotic blueberry muffin mix, and the Purple Lemon Nightmare had a pungent gasoline and lime scent and flavor, the latter being my personal favorite of the group. I had a great variety of some fire buds and was excited to bring them up to the cabin. On Friday evening, I made it up to my buddy’s where I was met with sad eyes and a pouty face, “Ain’t safe, the ice isn’t thick enough to fish on.” My buddy looks at me like a doctor after an unsuccessful surgery. “I was gonna call you, but I didn’t have cell service up here.” “No worries,” I say, “I brought a cure-all.” Now, we may not have caught any fish that weekend, but we did catch a high so dramatic that if we had been any more stoned, you could have freeclimbed over our faces.

Silverchild Confectionaries: Deliciously Stoned Silverchild Confectionaries has been a staple in the Maine medical marijuana scene for a long time. Their MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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quality and consistency is a shining example of a great local marijuana business. Their dedication to the craft translates to a superior product. I got my hands on some of their newest truffles: Espresso, Strawberry, Vegan Coconut, and a special edition Yuzu Raspberry, where a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the truffles will be donated to the Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine. I tried the Espresso truffle first. It was so good, the first word I said after tasting it wasn’t in English. Hell, it wasn’t in any known language.

It was a language that I invented just for that moment in time and space. It tasted like a Starbucks coffee and a Hershey’s Kiss had a beautiful baby. Next was the Vegan Coconut. The chocolate was a delicate shell harboring a coconut filling so rich and lavish for a moment I was relaxing in the shade on a nude beach in the tropics. The Strawberry truffle was my personal favorite, with smokey chocolate and a flavorful fruit filling. I happen to think strawberry and chocolate mix like mullets and monster trucks—a classic. The quality of the chocolate and the filling is on full display in the last truffle on my desk, the Yuzu Raspberry truffle. Not only do the proceeds benefit a great cause, the truffle tastes like a nutella/jelly sandwich, a personal favorite among wooks too stoned to make ramen. My only complaint is that I ran out too quickly; I could have spent my evening shoveling these truffles down my gaping gullet.

Curated Cannabis and the cookies that I shouldn’t have eaten I’ve always been a fan of Nick and everyone over at Curated Cannabis Co. I was excited when I got the chance to review their Fluffanutter #4 strain as well as their Banana Kush Live Rosin. I had a night to myself and planned on watching some HBO while diving head first into my Curated Cannabis stash. I throw Critters 2 on the TV and loosen the cap on the Fluffanutter. The expertly cured buds glisten and gleam more than a jewel thief’s dream. Earthy and leathery on the nose like a well-used gimp mask, with a well-rounded indica high, relaxed and happy. I go a step further and add the concentrate to the mix. The Banana Kush Live Rosin is a majestic golden color, smelling bright and fresh like a bouquet of freshly picked mountain flowers and herbs. I take two dabs of the savory/sweet tasting concentrate and head into the kitchen to find some munchies. I see an exotic-looking box on the counter that looks new.

In big cursive letters on the side of the box, I see “Milk Chocolate and Salted Caramel.” I don’t need to read anymore, I like all the words in that sentence. I break the box open with the same force an MMA fighter would use to break a foe’s nose. I wolf the cookies down into my bottomless pit of a stomach, and I don’t even remember chewing. I polish off the box and throw the carcass into the recycling bin, but not before I read the much smaller words above “Milk Chocolate and Salted Caramel.” I squint and am horrified to read “Lactation Cookies.” Good god, no! I ate the cookies my fiancée bought for herself to help in the production of breast milk. I smoked another joint of the Fluffanutter and

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forgot all about the cookies until the next morning when I woke up to find that I had gone from a C cup to a D cup.

Ganja Candy Factory in a Warzone “Where’s Ian? Is he still with us?” I hear one of my teammates ask over the headset. “Yeah, I think he’s just super high,” I hear in response. “Ugggghhhh,” I chime in, sounding like a tone-deaf zombie that had his tongue replaced with a mouthful of peanut butter. “Oh yeah dude, he’s all fucked up,” my teammates laugh. I am currently in the throes of modern warfare by way of a Playstation 4 and a whole mess of the dankity-dank.

I play online video games with a group of guys most nights. All of us are stoners in our thirties; yes, it’s as sad as it sounds. On this night, I had just come back from the Ganja Candy Factory in Biddeford where I was handed a gift bag filled with some of my favorite things: medical-grade marijuana that is to be smoked and eaten. I was given a colorfully packaged 250mg Dark Chocolate Bar as well as some of their equally colorful Sherb Breath, an indica, and their Don Mega, a 50/50 hybrid. I decided to eat the bar in a single sitting becuase I’m a fucking genius. The chocolate itself was sweet and melty, a perfect candy bar to mindlessly munch on. Even with 250mg of THC jammed in the sucker, I couldn’t taste the weed at all. While I waited for the bar to hit, I pop’d open the jars of the flower.

The Sherb Breath was a light-colored flower with a wonderful floral scent, and the Don Mega was a darkcolored flower with a mature, earthy, Ivory soap aroma.

I throw the Sherb Breath in my handheld vaporizer and get an immediate taste of a tart confection, tasting like a treat ordered from behind a glass display case from a fancy bakery. I then throw some of the Don Mega into my vaporizer. Not only does this strain taste like a $20 fruit salad, but it was also some potent shit. It hit me like I owed it money from years ago. Higher than a satellite broadcasting raggastep music, I sit down, turn on my console, and hit my friends up for a game of Call of Duty...and that’s when the chocolate bar takes hold. If I had been any higher, NASA would have needed to send a team to get me.

Grass Monkey and Woo-Sah Life ain’t easy for most of us currently. I get it, you feel like a muddy ball of stress, your jaw is clenched, your fists are balled, most days just seem to suck...I understand, and I empathize. I don’t know the exact reason you feel down but I do know the cure: good weed. I was having a hell of a day before heading into Grass Monkey in South Portland where they threw me some samples of their Thugs Breath and their Triple Chocolate Chip, both popular strains at the dispensary.

I head home to shrug off a shit day and unwind with buds so frosty they’d be perfectly camouflaged next to a pile of powdered donuts. I fix myself a bowl of each

strain and head outside wearing earbuds while playing a few ZZ Top songs at full volume. I take a single hit of the Thugs Breath and hold it in while practicing a couple sloppy karate chops in the air in front of me.

The Thugs Breath tastes like ripe citrus fruit; think of an expensive orange juice you can only find at extremely specific health food stores. Satisfied with my tasty hit of the Thugs Breath, I take a hit of the Triple Chocolate Chip and throw a few karate kicks into the darkness in front of me. I release the hit while doing my best Bruce Lee pose. Damn, does this strain taste good! Dark berries and sugar, like a sultry Valentine’s Day gift of chocolate-covered fruit, I take two hits for posterity’s sake. The level of tension I had been feeling when I had gotten home compared to where I was currently at was like night and day. Thanks to two amazing strains from Grass Monkey, my stress and frustration had melted like half-frozen ice cubes in an overheating Easy Bake Oven.

Peak Cannabis and Their Bag of Tricks If you haven’t taken advantage of one or more of the amazing local medical marijuana delivery services, you are missing out. What a time we live in where you can browse for specific strains and products online and then have them delivered to your door by someone who looks like they’ve been fired from Palace Playland at some point in their life. The homies over at Peak dropped off a goodie bag of some of their go-tos. I attacked the package like a present on Christmas. I was beyond excited to find an eighth of their Lemon Moonshine, an eighth of their Tropicana Cookies, a Twisted Bananas pre-roll, a High Roller Peak Pack, and they even threw in a pack of papers like f’ing pros. I ripped open the eighths first; the Lemon Moonshine sparkled more than a shattered disco ball in a fun house.

The buds filled the room with a wonderful perfume of high-test gasoline, Lemonheads, and Jack Daniels whiskey. The unique smell was luckily also how it tasted.

The high was strong and comfortable but isn’t a strain I’d recommend before a college test. I kept trying to take off a pair of sunglasses that I was not actually wearing. The Tropicana Cookies had a nice purple tinge to the buds, crystalized like frost on the windows of a poorly heated car on a frozen commute. I enjoyed the strain immensely and don’t mean it as an insult when I say it smelled and tasted like industrial-strength cleaner used to clear the drains at a hippie commune.

The Twisted Bananas pre-roll was nice, smoking it was like breathing in the fresh air of a pine grove if it got you high. My favorite item Peak blessed me with was the Peak Pack. Six Tropicana X MAC Oil joints neatly fit into a futuristic metal tin. Not only did the joints smoke great, but the weed was tasty and potent too.

My tastebuds were treated to notes of sour candy and sweet grass, a truly enjoyable smoke. Overall, I couldn’t have been more impressed by the quality of flower Peak presented. Give ‘em a ring, take the batteries out of your smoke detector, and get some fire delivered to your door.

Best Friend Farms Helping to Make a Friend I live in a white-picket fence, Bernie on the bumper of every Volvo, suburban neighborhood. There are two separate places on my street where you can “check out” books from these little birdhouse-like-things called “book nooks,” mostly filled with heavily dog-eared contemporary adult fiction paperbacks. It’s so fucking suburban it almost tows the line on parody. Though living in the ‘burbs can be mind-numbing at times, you can always look forward to the holiday seasons. One of the cool things about living in a suburban neighborhood is witnessing the majority of my neighbors measuring their dicks every other month with holiday decorations.

You can be sure that every other house on my block will glow and shine like a Vegas slot machine filled with toxic waste on the Fourth of July, Halloween, and, of course, Christmas. The displays on my street would give Phish’s lighting guy chills. Noticing a warmer than usual evening, I decided to walk around the block, stoned, while checking out all the pretty lights. I had a couple new samples from Best Friends Farm: their White Haze and their Strawberry Angela. I figured I’d roll two joints, one of each strain, one to smoke before I leave on my adventure, another to smoke while on said adventure.

I break open the White Haze first; the buds are a light pale green and cured perfectly. The flower breaks apart like styrofoam peanuts, crumbling without the need for a grinder. A scent of lemon and ginger hits my nose like a smelling salt. I roll it up and light it as I begin to tear open the eighth of Strawberry Angela. The White Haze is flavorful and smooth. I can feel it relax my shoulders and back, melting away the tension in my neck as I begin to break apart the Strawberry Angela.

The dark-colored buds burst with bright trichomes and a fragrance of mint and leather as I physically refine the beautifully trimmed flower between my fingertips. In a relaxed body and in a level headspace, I finish the first joint and make my way into my neighborhood holding my second joint like it’s a flashlight in a Scooby Doo episode. The first few houses were classically done: candles in the windows with white lights meticulously placed around the door and window frames of their middle class homes. Then, I get to a house that could only be described as a “Christmas Tree Shop Fuck-Fest,” a real orgy of X-mas decorations. Not only was every inch of the property covered in mismatched blinking lights, but they had also blown up and displayed a whole slew of those over-sized holiday sex dolls everyone seems to enjoy. I light up my second joint as I laugh to myself at the spectacle. The Strawberry Angela hit like Babe Ruth after pointing to the outfield.

Some top-shelf flower for sure, it had a flavor that brought a spring breeze and fresh linens to mind. The front door of the orgy house opens, and a guy my age steps out. “Happy Holidays!” he waves at me, and I wave back, “Merry Christmas, man!” I cough out, “Just enjoying your lights.” He grins and starts to move his hands around like a magician who has just completed a trick. “Can’t help myself, I love the holidays,” he says MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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CULTURE as he beams at me. “Right on, man!” I respond and take a toke of my joint. He looks at me and says, “Are you smoking marijuana in front of my house?” I shrug and say, “Sorry man, walking around the neighborhood with a nightcap.” He waves off my apology. “Hey, I used to be known as quite the ol’ stoney-baloney back in my college days.” He laughs at himself, looks back at me, and changes his tone. “Any way I could try some?” I laugh, “Not really into sharing joints during a pandemic but you can have the rest of this if you’d like.” I hand him my joint. “Whoa, damn, smells like some powerful stuff, thank you!” I laugh, “What are neighbors for man?”

I turn and start to leave, and he goes, “I’ll probably just smoke one hit then put it away for another time.” “Cool, man.” I give him a quick nod. He continues, holding up the joint, “This will probably last me all month.” I nod again, look at his X-mas lawn orgy and then back to his goofy suburban-dad grin and nod even harder, “yeah...

I’m sure it will, man.”

OMG The Dogs Need a Bath I was lucky enough to get a sample of OMG’s Bob Ross Diamonds. I was supposed to give my dogs a bath, which sucks because neither are very good with water, soap, or staying still in the bathtub. Because the job sucks and to keep my nerves steady through the bathing process, I decided to take a quick dab before wrangling the first pup into the bathroom. I make my way down to my office, grab my trusty rig and the OMG diamonds, and throw a glob of a concentrate, which looks like a high-end golden caviar, into my banger. I take a large cold-start dab and inhale a puff of smoke that tastes like I’m chewing on the top cola of a living marijuana plant. Daaaamn, what a taste! It’s sharp and clean like the corner of a square on top of getting you so damned baked you think of lines like that last gem. I am immediately hit in the face with a high that puckers my entire face. Squinting like a man looking directly into the sun, I decide to take another hit, for safety. After my third hit, I notice my acoustic guitar lying seductively against the bookshelf nearest to me. I pick it up, blazed like a forgotten brick oven pizza, and begin to jam. I jam for a while. I have no idea how much time has passed when my office door swings open and I am questioned by my fiance like a detective that already knows the story. “It’s midnight, Ian!! Did you wash the dogs???” ...No, but I did teach myself a Citizen Cope song. I blamed it on OMG’s diamonds, but we both knew it wasn’t their fault for distracting me. It was that friggin’ guitar’s fault.

Green Lion Crew Jammin’ on Gummies I met Zeke from Green Lion Crew the day we shot the pilot episodes for the new podcast the Cannabis Chronicle is currently putting together. We had shot all day, and Zeke came in to spin some bass-heavy reggae tracks to put the finishing touches on the production of

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the pilot episodes. Every track he played was a banger, and I was floored to learn that they were his tracks. I tracked him down on Spotify after our meeting and had been listening to his channel for a week straight when I was given a package of the Green Lion Crew medicated gummies. I was pumped; if these were half as good as the music he makes, I’d be ripped like a chainsaw with a broken starter. Strawberry-flavored gummies, eight in a pack at 25 mg a piece for a total of 200 mg. I love a strong edible. I never have to spend an evening asking myself if I “feel anything yet?” When you eat 200 mg of anything, it’s probably going to creep up on you more violently than Jason Vorhees happening upon a coed showering at his cabin. The gummies had a freshly picked berry taste. Light and enjoyable, they were too easy to eat; I couldn’t stop myself. I scarfed down the entire package like I was trying to beat an imaginary clock hanging on the stark white walls of sobriety. As I waited for the gummies to kick in, I decided to start the fourth Friday the 13th film. As Vorhees began to creep around the camp in the movie, the edibles began to creep through my system. By the end of the film, I felt like most of the co-eds in the movie: heavenly.

Empyreal Coffee Review Shoveling snow sucks. Cold, wet, and back-breaking, there are few activities I hate more than shoveling out my driveway. Just in time for a blizzard, Matt dropped off a few Empyreal Coffees and Green Teas for me to try. With a foot of snow in my yard and a five-dollar shovel as my only tool, I knew I’d need to be ripped up before heading out to deal with the snow. I grabbed the 100 mg coffee and a 20 mg green tea—double trouble. I set up my shovel and outerwear and popped the coffee open. A classic black coffee that was flavorful and rich, it took me two chugs to kill it, tasty and smooth. I love drinking cannabis. Fully dressed and armed with my little plastic utensil, I start to clear the front steps.

Damn, shoveling is a lot harder with an extra 20 pounds of pandemic weight. I finish off the steps and walkway and stop for a break. I pop open the green tea, wow!

It’s a tasty drink! A sophisticated adult version of all my favorite store-brand green teas, I couldn’t taste the THC at all. An extra pick-me-up was exactly what I needed right then. Four chugs, it was harder to gulp when I couldn’t feel my face. The snow is so deep I have to shovel the same snow two or three times just to get it out of the middle of the driveway. It’s beyond laborious, and I’m beat. I’m not even 20% done with my driveway when the 100 mg of cannabis from the coffee comes over to say hello. Oh shit, I am waaaaay too high for this. Just then, my neighbor swings through with his plow truck. I jump out of the way as he throws snow around like chairs at a Jerry Springer taping. He clears the driveway in two minutes and rolls down his window to address me, “You owe me beer!” I laugh, “How about weed?” “Even better!” he exclaims. I head inside to grab him a couple drinks but not before I hear my neighbor yell from his truck, “Your walkway looks like shit by the way. If it’s any indication of how good those drinks are, I bet that shit rules!” He was pleased.

FACES IN THE FIELD

FACES IN THE FIELD:

CJ Hagan from Green Xtrax B Y I A N S T UA R T

CJ Hagan is a Maine-based caregiver who owns and operates Green Xtrax located in Southern Maine. CJ grew up in the Garden State of New Jersey, playing sports year round, a healthy and happy four-season athlete. As an energetic and focused young man who excelled in long-distance running, it was clear that he was headed toward his lifelong dream of an athletic scholarship.

CJ’s dream of a collegiate scholarship was tragically cut short after an unfortunate diagnosis; at 18, doctors found a tumor the size of a cantaloupe growing on his spine. “I went from practice to emergency surgery in a day,” CJ lamented during a phone interview. With the tumor being as large as it was and located where it was, CJ’s doctors were not sure they could operate on him. He was warned that not only would he never walk again, there was also a chance he wouldn’t live through the surgery. So, at 18, CJ went through a full 24 hours of surgery. The surgery was successful, but his future was uncertain. Determined and unwilling to succumb to his medical diagnosis, CJ pushed himself as hard as he could, and within a year he had amazed his medical team. Not only had CJ taught himself how to walk, but he had also started running again. Defying all odds, he began practicing with his team, determined and aiming for his dream of an athletic scholarship.

“I didn’t know it then, but it was a pipe dream. About the time I started practicing again, I went in for a routine check-up. The tumor was back. I needed another surgery.” Crushing news. CJ was angry. He had done everything his doctors had asked, he had pushed and worked hard to get where he was, and the tumor was

back. The second surgery was successful but had put CJ in a tough spot emotionally and physically.

His doctors loaded him up on pain pills and other medications that left him feeling half alive, “a shell,” he said. He was lost after high school, his dreams of a scholarship shattered.

The medications were weighing on him, making life more difficult. He began to research cannabis oil as an alternative. With the help of the oil, he was able to wean himself off the pills he was prescribed. He was able to eat and sleep better, and his strength was returning. As he began to feel like his old self, CJ decided to enroll in a local community college but was arrested on campus for making edibles. With three arrests in three years—all simple possession charges—it was time to move to a place that was more cannabis-friendly.

CJ and his girlfriend Haley packed up a little van and moved out west to California to work on a commercial marijuana farm. Their time there was short-lived. After a few events occurred that were out of their hands, they decided it was time to move again. They were invited up to Maine by a friend who happened to be a caregiver with a garden. CJ, continuously educating himself on cannabis oil, began to process extracts. “Right place at the right time.” CJ was able to work with a number of local caregivers and continued expanding his knowledge of extracts.

A year after moving to Maine, CJ started Green Xtrax.

With a focus on extracts, they began to perfect their full-spectrum concentrates. CJ talks about his Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and concentrates bringing relief to MAINECANNABISCHRONICLE.COM

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a number of people, including his own grandmother. “It helped her out. Grandma took it until the day she died.

She was able to get her off her medication,” CJ explains.

I’d like to point out that it’s not just concentrates where Green Xtrax excels. They grow some absolutely gorgeous, tasty, and potent flowers. CJ and I begin to talk about what he is currently excited about in his garden. “Diesel Cake is my current favorite. It’s an indica-leaning hybrid. We hunted the pheno from seed; it’s a beautiful plant in the garden, and it smells like fuel. We are also proud of our Pennywise, which is a 1:1 CDB:THC strain. It has the best terps from almost any cannabis I’ve tried, and it’s incredibly medicinal.”

own.” We talked about the strength of the independent growing scene in Maine and the number of humble and knowledgeable growers in the area. “The craft cannabis scene is great, and the state has their caregivers set up for success. I was living in a van when I first got to Maine. Now we are thinking about opening a dispensary,” CJ says.

I was lucky enough to get my paws on a sampling of their powerful products. Their concentrates and RSO were simply amazing, irresistible, and mighty. I was getting stoned like a witch in a rock garden. Their flower selection was versatile and intriguing. Their Wedding Crasher was one of my favorites—effective and robust, it was also expertly grown, cured, and trimmed. Their Afgroovy strain sparkled with trichomes that glistened like broken glass in a Die Hard movie. Tasty and hearty like a warm meal, it was a perfect strain to settle down with while compiling my notes from the interview. Their I95 x Ghost Cookies strain was a perfect strain for an intense wake and bake the following morning.

I was writing this article last night, trying to find a way to end it when CJ texted me out of the blue: “Hey, if it’s not too late, there’s something that’s been on my mind since we got off the phone. I should have said it when you asked if there was anything I wanted to add at the end of our conversation, but I didn’t have a good answer off-the-cuff, so I gave you some stupid sales pitch about our terpenes. But as soon as I hung up, I realized there’s something much more important than that shit: my team. I wouldn’t be shit if it weren’t for my teams. Whether it was the team of doctors who saved my life, my sports teams growing up, my family, the community I grew up in, the Green Xtrax team, our patients, the community of Maine caregivers past and present, etc. I’m one ambitious and determined motherfucker and that drive has certainly helped me along the way, but the truth is that teamwork really makes the dream work, and they deserve just as much credit as I do for supporting me on this incredible journey.”

With New Jersey recently passing a recreational cannabis law, I asked, “Have you ever thought about going back?” CJ laughs, “I don’t think so. It’s called the Garden State, but they won’t let you grow your

I looked at the text and thought to myself, “well... there’s the ending.” You can fight, you can love, you can win, and you can lose, but in the end, good or bad: it ain’t shit if it’s not shared.

Find Us @

SEBAGO CANNABIS EXCHANGE Portland Me

Lewiston ME

@White_Mt_Canna

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Westbrook ME We

SPECIAL OFFERS: $20 Grams of Live Resin

$25 Full Gram Carts

$50 minimum

Greater Portland Area TEXT the delivery line: 207-400-9103 Med card required

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420 Minutes: BETHEL BOUND B Y D I A N A G O N Z E AU X

With winter no longer just around the corner, but pulling right up into our driveways, I was excited to visit a little town in one of Maine’s premier destinations during the snowier part of the year: Bethel. Oh little town of Bethel, hmmm, what do we have to see here? I planned my visit for the day before the first big storm, because I like to live on the edge.

Will I get snowed in? Will I?!?!

12:30 p.m.: With an hour and a half drive (3 Maine Travel Units) ahead of me, I first needed to fuel up, so I stopped in at my favorite Portland coffee shop, Burundi Star. I peeked at the new art they had up on the walls: beautiful, brightly colored scenes by Mak Francisco, an artist from Angola. I left with a coffee in one hand and a pain viande in the other, and scarfed the dense, chewy, savory bread and meat treat down before it had time to cool. Patience is not one of my virtues. I also needed something sweet to snack on, and I have been craving donuts big time in this cold weather, so I picked up an assortment from Holy Donut.

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Snacks on board, bumping my Spotify 2020 Rewind playlist, I headed out on the scenic, rural drive to Bethel. An avid skier or snowboarder may recognize this town from their drive to Sunday River—a ski resort in Newry that boasts six different peaks and a vertical drop second only to Sugarloaf. And if I can make any assumptions based on the snowboarders I have known in my life, those snowy peaks bode well for a thriving cannabis scene.

The trip was enjoyable for me on multiple levels— heading into a mountainous region reminded me of living in Montana and renewed my appreciation of the many different landscapes of Maine, from seaside to peak. I am also a big fan of roadside signage, and this road had me giggling as I read off things like “TRAP CORNER” and “SCAG POWER EQUIPMENT - 0% INTEREST.” I wiggled my eyebrows as I pointed out “SUBS NEEDED” spelled out on one letter board. Hey, what can I say? I’m easily amused.

I had three stops on my list, so I headed to the farthest one first, which was Jar Co. Technically in Newry, not Bethel, but that’s just how Maine works—these clusters of small towns tend to get lumped in under one umbrella.

2:30 p.m.: Walking into Jar Co. with an armful of Chronicles to deliver, the first thing I noticed was construction going on in one of the two storefront areas, connected by a shared entrance. Soon-to-be their recreational dispensary, shelves were going up, and I could spy a beautiful live-edge wood countertop.

The smell of sawdust filled the air, soon replaced by the evergreen scent of a holiday tree bedecked with lollipops and ornaments on the medical side of the business. Merry Litmas!

Looking around the shop, I appreciated the decor— beautifully arranged glass cases of wares, lots of wood as befits a mountainside shop, a large print featuring a cracked-open, bud-filled book I have personally enjoyed (The Story of Edgar Sawtelle…warning, it’s a tear-jerker), and an inviting sitting area. The handdrawn signs around the shop alerted me to the Budtender of the Week, Erin. I chatted with Erin and the other bud tenders about what was popular lately, which was reportedly Buzzed Bakery’s Pot Tarts, warmed before consumed. I also asked what there was to do in Bethel. Outdoor activities were the clear winner—how could they not be with so much breathtaking hiking terrain and I’m sure many excellent secret fishing spots? A few eateries were also recommended. Le Mu, a Southeast Asian Southern comfort food fusion pop-up, sounded really intriguing, though I have chosen to opt out of restaurant visits for the time being. Le Mu has been added to my list of post-pandemic pit stops.

3:00 p.m.: I traded my armful of magazines for a pouch of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pot Tarts and headed off to the next spot: Moosehead Farms. I was immediately taken with the giant joint-smoking moose cutout on the porch of the ski-lodge-esque dispensary. The lodge vibes continued inside, with comfy bench seats sporting classic sweater patterns and shelving

made from repurposed skis. The wood countertop had a design hand-burned by a local artist, and the bathroom featured a beautiful mural of a baby moose eating leaves from a giant, bright green cannabis plant.

In addition to the giant Ball jars of flower and the refrigerated case of assorted edibles, they also offered a selection of artisan goods. A beautiful little shell stash box caught my eye, as did a pair of gold fan leaf earrings. I asked the woman behind the counter what the customer favorites were: “pre-rolls, definitely prerolls,” which come in a handy “Lift Kit” four-pack for the snow bunny on the go. I left here with some Strawberry Alien Kush and a Sunset Sherbet pre-roll.

4:20 p.m.: The last stop was Pine Tree Glass, where I spent a significant amount of time marveling over the collection of glass pieces. UV-reactive bowls I would love to rock in my blacklight-outfitted studio, smoking implements in every imaginable level of complexity, pieces from many recognizable names (donuts, anyone?), and some intriguing art pieces as well. The art objects in particular held my attention—notably, a shelf of Seussian creatures with a bottle of Goose Juice and a graffiti-style piece that, upon closer inspection, spelled out SMASH with a starburst behind it. Smashing, indeed, these pieces were by an artist named David Colton, who also crafted the first glass cannabis pipe to enter an art museum’s collection.

Joe, the bud tender here, was available with a plethora of information, about the shop’s history, connections to various folks in the industry, and the products on offer. In search of CBD products to soothe my COVIDexacerbated anxiety, I listened to his explanations of the different tinctures behind the glass case. A purple wax seal on an MCT tincture from the Medicine Farm sealed my decision for me—the Calm Blend, which also features a botanical extract blend of lavender, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and Roman chamomile. I watched Joe demonstrate the function of his recycler rig, captivated by the little spinning ball mechanism that assists with cold-start dabs, and also picked up some GMO badder from Hazy Hill Farm.

It was then time to spark up one of the pre-rolls from Moosehead and be on my way home. On the drive back, I noticed a sign for the Mineral Collector, which had come up a couple times in conversation. Further research revealed a gem mining operation, Dig Maine Gems, where you can sift through dirt for local tourmaline. I will certainly be revisiting this area in the spring to do some rock-hounding.

In this cold, though, I was satisfied to arrive back home and break open the Pot Tarts. Following recommendation, I heated it up a little in the oven, then relaxed on the couch, content and cozy. All in all, I was happy to venture out to a new corner of Maine. I look forward to returning in a few months to check out how the legalization of recreational cannabis changes the dispensary landscape in this little mountainside village and snag myself a banh mi and some local tourmaline.

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