Cannabis Culture in Western Massachusetts
Let's celebrate.
Looking back on one year of legalization in the Berkshires
Winter 2020
Winter 2020
The Herbalist | herbalistmag.com • 1
Winter 2020
In this issue Happy anniversary
4
Infographic: Reader voices
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Art of the harvest
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One year into recreational sales, what was earned, what was learned, and what still needs to change Your thoughts on the first year of legal dispensaries, from the first annual Herbalist Reader Survey The journey from fresh flower to consumable weed
Raise a glass (high)
Celebratory mocktails with a cannabis twist
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ON THE COVER: Photo: Justin Aikin/UnSplash THIS PAGE: At Canna Provisions, Lee’s first recreational marijuana shop, the decorations are hyper-local, with their products arranged throughout the store in, on and underneath items that were purchased at local antique and second-hand stores. Photo: Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle The Herbalist is an advertising supplement published by New England Newspapers Inc. To contact us, please email advertising@newenglandnewspapers.com or visit herbalistmag.com. Please consume responsibly. The Herbalist and its publisher, New England Newspapers Inc., do not endorse consumption of any controlled substance outside the bounds of Massachusetts state law. No content within this magazine is intended as medical or legal advice.
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Winter 2020
Editor's Note It's been just over a year since the first Berkshire County dispensary opened its doors to recreational marijuana users, and so far society hasn't crumbled. It hasn't blossomed into a rich, crime-free utopia, either, so I suppose there were unrealistic expectations on both sides. The first twelve months of legal pot sales have been a learning experience across the board: for business owners navigating new and sometimes frustratingly unclear legislation, for community leaders balancing the promise of new tax revenue with concerns of residents and for consumers facing a torrent of new product choices and lingering social stigma. Here in the Berkshires, things seem to be running smoothly: business at the county's five recreational shops is steady, and towns are already seeing the financial rewards of inviting legal marijuana into the community. As of December 2019, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission had issued 20 licenses to dispensaries, cultivation sites and product manufacturers across the county — the third highest ratio of licenses to population in the state, after Nantucket and Franklin Counties. Out-ofstate enthusiasts have flocked to Berkshire dispensaries, bringing in alway-appreciated visitor traffic and increasing tax revenues. On the social justice front, however, the first year of legal cannabis has been a disappointment. Despite promises to address the deep damages caused by the War on Drugs in minority communities, the CCC has struggled to bring members of these groups into the legal cannabis economy. The CCC has provided a licensing fast-track for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, or DBEs, defined as businesses owned by women, veterans, minorities, LGBT individuals or individuals with disabilities. Of all the provisional and approved licenses issued by the CCC since 2018, only 13% were granted to DBEs. Racial minorities, who were disproportionately harmed by overzealous cannabis legislation in the past, make up only 16% of all active agents in Massachusetts cannabis businesses. Only seven minority-owned business have received provisional or final approval — just 3%. The financial hurdles involved in establishing a legal cannabis business — including long waiting periods, tax complications and steep payments to the host community — are a challenge for any business owner, but are especially hard on members of communities already at an economic disadvantage. Now that the initial legislation is laid out, it's time to fine-tune the rules of legal marijuana and open the industry up to those who stand the most to gain. Thank you to all our readers for your support, and here's to another year of moving forward. — Kimberly Kirchner Editor, The Herbalist Winter 2020
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The Herbalist | herbalistmag.com • 3
Year One: On the books By Kimberly Kirchner Herbalist Staff The morning of Friday, January 11, 2019 was bright but cold, hovering around 12 degrees. Despite the chill, the line outside Theory Wellness in Great Barrington had grown to nearly 100 people by the time doors opened at 10 a.m., signaling the start of recreational marijuana sales in Berkshire County. Sales have slowed since opening day, but not by much; in its first six months of operation, Theory Wellness grossed $16 million. The county’s second recreational dispensary, Temescal Wellness in Pittsfield, began recreational sales days later on January 15. Berkshire Roots, also in Pittsfield, and Silver Therapeutics in Williamstown launched in April. Canna Provisions in Lee became the fifth and final Berkshire dispensary to open in 2019, welcoming its first customers in early July. Across the state, gross cannabis sales in 2019 totaled over $444 million — an average of $1.2 million per day. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has not released official tax numbers on its website, but with a 6.25% sales tax and 10.75% excise tax collected on adult-use marijuana sales, the state’s cannabis-related tax revenue for the year was likely over $75 million. This doesn’t include local taxes imposed by individual towns and cities, which are collected by the Department of Revenue and then redistributed back to the municipality, as with meal and hotel taxes. These town-level taxes and community impact fees repre-
sent a substantial new source of income for host communities. By November 2019, the town of Great Barrington had received $1.54 million in taxes and fees from its sole dispensary, Theory Wellness. The city of Pittsfield reported $448,000 in tax revenue from its two dispensaries during the last half of 2019. Lee received nearly $110,000 in community impact fees alone from Canna Provisions during its first three months of business, along with tens of thousands in local sales taxes. Whatever the financial benefit, host community agreements (HCAs) haven’t been without controversy. Massachusetts law requires all marijuana establishments to establish an HCA with local authorities as part of the licensing process. The agreement is meant to outline the division of responsibilities between the town and the marijuana establishment in regards to cannabis-specific concerns like security and public health. In the HCA, towns and cities may also require a financial contribution from the business in the form of community impact fees. State law defines community impact fees as payments that are “reasonably related to the costs imposed upon the municipality by the operation of the marijuana establishment or medical marijuana treatment center and shall not amount to more than 3 percent of the gross sales of the marijuana establishment or medical marijuana treatment center or be effective for longer than 5 years.” In a guidance document re-
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Winter 2020
"The [community impact] fee charged must be in exchange for a benefit that is sufficiently specific and special to the Marijuana Establishment and assessed in such a way that it justifies assessing the cost to this limited group as opposed to the general public, even if the public sees some benefit." — Official Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission guidance on home community agreements, August 2018 leased in August of 2018, the Cannabis Control Commission stressed the limitations of such fees, stating “the fee charged must be in exchange for a benefit that is sufficiently specific and special to the Marijuana Establishment and assessed in such a way that it justifies assessing the cost to this limited group as opposed to the general public, even if the public sees some benefit.” Despite the CCC’s efforts, some advocates and industry insiders claim towns are abusing the HCA, demanding unnecessarily high fees or voluntary-but-not-really-voluntary donations that keep all but the largest businesses out of the industry. In January 2019, the Commission sent a formal request to the Legislature asking for authority to police HCAs, but the effort seems to have stalled in the hands of the Joint Committee on Cannabis
Policy. In November, The Boston Globe reported that U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling had issued subpoenas to at least six Massachusetts communities, including Great Barrington, as part of an investigation into HCAs. Lelling had previously charged Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II with the extortion of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees from would-be cannabis retailers, a dramatic illustration of how HCAs could be manipulated by bad actors. The renewed attention brought by Lelling’s investigation has growers, retailers and advocates hopeful that the CCC may finally be granted power to rein in HCA terms, ensuring both communities and entrepreneurs can see a fair share of profits from the emerging cannabis industry. •
LEFT: A growing crowd forms a line in the cold on the opening day of recreational marijuana sales at Theory Wellness in Great Barrington. Photo: Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle
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The Herbalist | herbalistmag.com • 5
The First Year of Legal Cannabis: A Survey LEGAL RECREATIONAL WEED IN "GRASSACHUSETTS" TURNS ONE!
Hello! Thank you to everyone that took the time to fill out this survey! I’ve read every one of your responses and you all have some great suggestions. Many thanks for sharing — here are some of the results! Peace and love, Tori
Survey and analysis by Victoria Fiorini, Herbalist Staff
Survey responders by age:
46%
21-35 years old
54%
$393.7
36 and older
Gross cannabis revenue during the first year of legal sales. That's over $1 million a day!
A note from Tori: All respondents, besides my boyfriend, ten friends and one family member (hi, Mom!) found it though The Berkshire Eagle or The Herbalist’s social media channels.
64%
What should the town spend it on?
of respondents knew that every dispensary in the state is charged up to a 3% mitigation fee to be paid to the town they are in.
#1
Most Suggested
Road Repairs/ Infrastructure
#2
Most Suggested
Schools/ Education
Now that weed is legal, do you buy from:
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"Community betterment, affordable housing, workforce training, subsidized meals, environmental cleanup"
Dispensaries
38%
"Refunding fines paid by people arrested for marijuana over the past five years"
"Wherever it’s needed the most, with reports that show citizens where it went"
Both The black market
Neither
8%
18%
36% Winter 2020
How often do you purchase cannabis? Once a month
Never
17%
32%
22%
Once a week
How much has the price of cannabis deterred you from buying from dispensaries?
43%
29%
15%
42%
Somewhat
Not at all
Fully
Occasionally
Have you tried growing your own plants?
46% No
54% Yes
68%
What forms of cannabis do you purchase the most?
Concentrates
11%
Pre-rolled joints
of those that grew harvested "a lot" of flower.
N/A
18%
What would you like to see more of in your local dispensary?
More flower, and the ability to see before you buy
Baked goods, butter/oil, stronger edibles, diabetic edibles
Seeds
37%
14%
Flower
20% Edibles
If you have a chronic condition, illness or disease, do you use cannabis as part of your treatment program?
# 1 use:
Anxiety
44%
What are you interested in knowing more about?
Other uses:
Yes
56%
No
How different strains affect you differently, and what each is good for
Winter 2020
Medical studies, on uses for treating autism and other diseases
Depression Pain Management PTSD Migraines Glaucoma IBS Insomnia
Growing
Find the complete results online at herbalistmag.com/yearonesurvey
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Cut and dried [Editor’s note: this story is part two of our mini-series on home-grown cannabis. For part one, a guide to raising plants from seed to maturity, visit herbalistmag.com/growtips. Happy harvest!] By Kimberly Kirchner Herbalist Staff Well, here we are. For months, you’ve toiled in a darkened basement, waiting leaf and root on your first precious cannabis seedling, tracking stem growth and soil acidity with near-maniacal precision, all leading to this moment. Your tiny sprout has grown into a mature plant, heavy with sticky, fragrant flowers. At long last, it’s time to harvest. First, some reassurance: if you’ve made it this far, the hard part is over. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to mess things up going forward, but fortunately there are plenty of experts around willing to help beginners take their plant from fresh flower to finely-cured weed. We checked in with brothers Daniel and Max Lowenstein, owners of Berkshire Glass & Grow in Great Barrington, for some practical tips.
Are we there yet? The final phase of the marijuana plant’s grow cycle, flowering, is the most important when it comes to establishing the right chemical profile. During this period, resinous buds form, and trichomes, the sticky, hair-like glands that produce THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, get to work. As THC builds up, the trichomes go from clear to opaque white to amber in color. Due the small size of the trichomes, you’ll need help to see them clearly; the Lowensteins recommend a jeweler’s loupe with at least 30x magnification to get the best view. Eventually, exposure to UV rays and oxygen will cause the THC to degrade, producing cannabinol, or CBN. While CBN does have some potentially uses as a pain reliever and sleep aid, its highly sedative
qualities can also cause the dreaded “couch lock.” Generally, recreational growers try to harvest before an excess of CBN can form, but users looking for a mellower experience may want to experiment with holding off a bit longer before cutting. For maximum THC, experts recommend harvesting when the trichomes are uniformly opaque and a few bits of amber have started to come through. Since different parts of the plant may develop faster than others, it’s a good idea to check multiple spots for color. If there’s enough disparity in maturation rates, you may even opt to do a partial harvest, leaving some flowers to develop a bit longer.
The wet/dry dilemma Once you’ve decided your buds are ready, it’s time to get cutting. Separating flowers from the main stalk is relatively straightforward. The next steps, however, are surprisingly contentious. After harvest, the buds need to be dried and the leaves trimmed away before curing. Growers have a choice of trimming or drying first, with outspoken proponents on both sides. Wet trimming fans insist that trimming immediately after harvest is the best option, because it cuts down on drying time, and the still-sticky trichomes are less likely to fall off in processing. Max and Daniel, however, are firmly in the “dry-then-trim” camp. “You want the moisture content to equalize,” Max explained, suggesting that keeping extra leaf matter on the plant slows down drying for more even results. He recommends suspending cuttings in a dark room with 50% humidity and minimal air circulation for seven to ten days. The plant will be ready for trimming when the thinnest stems snap but thicker stalks are still bendable. Trimming is labor-intensive and messy. “Maybe take all the rugs out of the room,” Max advised. The goal is to strip away all leaves and stems, leaving just the buds. You’ll want to remove both the fan leaves (the large, distinct multi-bladed leaves growing
Photo: Terra di Cannabis/UnSplash
Winter 2020
The Herbalist | herbalistmag.com • 9
directly from the stem) and the sugar leaves (the smaller leaves that protrude from the flower itself ) for the smoothest smoke. While specialized equipment isn’t usually necessary for the average hobby grower, Daniel Lowenstein did stress the value of a good pair of trimmers. His snippers of choice feature small, curved blades to get into small spaces between leaves, and a titanium surface for ease of cleaning. He also recommended a trimming tray with screen top to catch any
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dislodged trichomes, or kief, which can be made into hash. Discarded leaves can be used as compost, but Daniel and Max encouraged growers to set them aside for other uses. Sugar leaves, especially, have a considerable cannabinoid content, and can be turned into bubble hash (a solvent-free process) or cooked into a variety of sugars, butters and oils for the production of edibles.
Curing for quality Assuming buds have been thoroughly dried and trimmed (in whichever order you prefer), the next step is curing. This process will halt any decay in the bud’s chemical makeup, preserving its potency, flavor and aroma for a much longer period of time. The most common storage vessel for marijuana curing is a wide-mouth quart-size canning jar, though any solid, airtight container will do. During curing, the containers should
Winter 2020
be kept in a cool, dark room, away from potentially damaging UV rays. There are dozens of “tricks” floating around the cannabis community when it comes to maintaining the right humidity during curing, from orange peels to moist bread. “These are not good ways to add humidity,” Max said, “And very good ways to introduce mold.” He encourages a more scientific approach: two-way humidity control packets that absorb or produce moisture as needed. 62% humidity is the magic number:
Winter 2020
dry enough to prevent further decay, but moist enough to keep the bud from over drying and becoming harsh. For best results, you’ll need to open jars regularly to introduce fresh air — a process referred to as either “letting it breathe” or “burping,” depending on your sense of decorum. During the first week, the jars should be opened twice a day, for about five minutes at a time, with a little gentle shaking to move the air around. The burping regimen can be decreased to once a day during the
second week, and then every other day or a few times each week during the remainder of the curing period. Most strains of cannabis will be ready to consume after three or four weeks of curing, but for maximum quality buds should be allowed to cure for six weeks or more. If it seems like a long time to wait, try finding a new project to occupy yourself — like starting in on your next round of seedlings. • Photo: Add Weed/UnSplash
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Raise a glass (high) Celebrate one year of recreational marijuana with a party-worthy cannabis mocktail Reminder: dose responsibly. If you're new to tinctures, give them a try on their own to gauge your tolerance before moving on to mocktails.
Better than Champagne ½ cup lemon-lime soda ½ cup soda water ¼ ounce simple syrup Unflavored glycerinbased tincture, to preference
Combine all ingredients. Serve in a champagne flute for maximum fanciness. If you don't have simple syrup on hand, you can make your own by combining one part sugar with one part water.
The Warm n' Fuzzies 1-2 cups apple cider 1/4 ounce infused honey Cinnamon-infused tincture, to preference Orange wedge for garnish
Heat cider to boiling, on the stove top or in the microwave. Add honey and tincture, and mix until fully dissolved. Transfer hot cider to a mug and garnish with an orange slice.
Chill Out 1 strawberry, sliced 1 blackberry, chopped 1/4 ounce infused honey Tincture, to preference
In an ice cube tray, fill each mold halfway with water. Add fruit pieces, a drop of honey and a drop of tincture to each section and leave in the freezer for a few hours to set. Remove tray, top off each mold with water, and return to freezer overnight. Add ice cubes to sparkling water, soda, or other beverages of your choosing.
Photo: Adrianna Calvo/Pexels
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