THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
#60 | APR. 2021
THE GLASS ISSUE MOTHERSHIP GLASS
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DANIEL BERMAN
LaceFace Oregon
feature
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Mothership Glass Founder Scott Deppe talks with Leaf Nation about his legendary career, finding inspiration in water, the future of the business, and their iconic Hologram series.
shop review
garden highlight
edibles
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LADY GRAY MEDIBLES HIGH TEA
O'HARA SHIPE
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ENLIGHTEN GARDENS LLC
O'HARA SHIPE
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PIECE OF MIND CANNABIS ANCHORAGE
O'HARA SHIPE
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28 American Pipe Dreams Long before you could safely walk into any ordinary head shop and talk about bongs and pipes with abandon, Operation Pipe Dreams and the megabust of Jerome Baker Designs was making headlines.
////////// story by bOBBY bLACK photo by SLY VEGAS
apR. 2021
cannthropology
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EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S BUDTENDER Q&A SHOP REVIEW GARDEN HIGHLIGHT CANNTHROPOLOGY STRAIN OF THE MONTH MOTHERSHIP GLASS AVATA R G L A S S SKYLER BAISCH #VINË HAAPS GLASS CHRIS CARLSON L ACEFACE S TA N A L B A BLUEGRASS GLASS J E F F S PA G A GLASSKID KGB GL ASS GLASS MAFIA C O N C E N T R AT E O T M EDIBLE OF THE MONTH TA N N I N S & T E R P E N E S STONEY BALONEY
JAMIE ZILL
the GLASS issue
#60
[
APRIL 2021
issue
All Things Cannabis For All People PODCAST leaflifepodcast AVAILABLE NOW:
beardedlorax
rickerdj
#107 VIDEO GAMES AND CANNABIS V2 #108 ANCIENT CANNABIS #109 READING ENERGY
#110
MOTHERSHIP GLASS w/SCOTT DEPPE
NOW ON Photo by Lucas Reilly
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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.
E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E
N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H E AS T L E A F
A B O U T T H E C OV E R Featured on the front cover is a photograph provided to Leaf Magazines by Mothership Glass and captured by Lucas Reilly. This shot showcases Mothership’s most recent Hologram Series, titled Adrift. From left to right, you’ll find a Cerulean Bubble Cap, Smoke Mirage Exosphere, Smoke Mirage Egg, and a Dark Blue Moonstone Klein, to name a few. Learn more about their wonderous company through an in-depth interview as well as a Leaf Life podcast with owner Scott Deppe. Head over to their website for details on their next release!
PHOTO by LUCAS REILLY @PHOTOJOURNALUCAS LUCASREILLY.COM @MOTHERSHIPGLASS MOTHERSHIPGLASS.COM
PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES MAX EARLY, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS SAMUEL FARLEY, FEATURES ESHOM REED, REVIEWS LUCAS REILLY, PHOTOS MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING CHARLES TAGGART, PHOTOS O'HARA SHIPE, FEATURES + PHOTOS PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES SLY VEGAS, PHOTOS JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES JAMIE ZILL, PHOTOS
WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN
DANIEL@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
STATE DIRECTOR JOSHUA STAHLE | AD SALES
JOSH@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 907-317-2536
CONTENT DIRECTOR O'HARA SHIPE | EDITORIAL
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CONNECT WITH ALASKA LEAF Exclusive Cannabis Journalism @NWLEAF
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Glass Issue of the Leaf ! I MADE MY FIRST PIPE out of an L-shaped carburetor part that I cleaned and polished into a workable Cannabis smoking device in my dad’s auto shop. This was back when smoking weed meant choosing between an apple, a pop can – or the one friend who was lucky enough to have a disgustingly resinated pipe. These early days of Cannabis slummery gave me an immense appreciation for clean and functional art, which we have documented in the Leaf for a decade now. One of my earliest stoner memories was buying a bong (tobacco water pipe) for the first time at Piece of Mind, with a feeling of sexy fear that came with smoking an illegal drug in an inspiring way. Walking through the glass shop full of colorful art shaped my view of Cannabis as more than just a drug to consume, but a lifestyle defined by art that is delivering the best feeling in the world: getting baked!
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TODAY, GLASS CULTURE HAS BLOWN UP INTO AN ACCEPTED FORM OF MAINSTREAM ART THAT’S RAPIDLY EXPLODING IN AWARENESS AND VALUE.
Today, glass culture has blown up into an accepted form of mainstream art that’s rapidly exploding in awareness and value. Custom pieces fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars and get millions of views on social media – transfixing the heady community with innovative displays of art that will get you stoned just looking at them. And on a more functional level, each piece made by hand carries the energy of the artist into each sesh – with the intention of the creator carrying the smoke and vapor into the lungs of a lucky recipient. It is an honor to be featuring the legendary Mothership Glass and Scott Deppe – who also came on @leaflifepodcast to talk about the history and vision of Mothership – along with a ton of other amazing glass artists in this visually enticing edition of the magazine. We have unique pieces spotlighted in all editions, with different artists highlighted in each, and I hope you take a look at our brand new website – leafmagazines.com – to see our complete gallery and tons of other unique content, podcasts, and the highlarious Stoney Baloney. Remember to buy American glass whenever possible, to support your local head shop or glass artist, and to always smoke from clean glass!
-Wes Abney APr. 2021
leafmagazines.com
We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Alaska Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, LeafMagazines.com. Email josh@leafmagazines.com for more information on supporting Alaska Leaf!
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DOT COM WE ARE ONE
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midwest
cannabis NEWS
Politics
DELAWARE SEES RENEWED OPTIMISM FOR LEGALIZATION
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FIRES DOZENS OF STAFFERS FOR PAST CANNABIS USE
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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
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EAST COAST
ozens of young staffers in the Biden White House have been suspended, asked to resign or placed in remote programs due to past Cannabis use, reported multiple news outlets in March. The news disappointed staffers and activists who were pleased by initial indications that past recreational marijuana use wouldn’t be immediately disqualifying for jobs in the administration, A NUMBER OF according to people YOUNG STAFFERS WERE EITHER “PUT familiar with the ON PROBATION” OR situation, reported OUTRIGHT CANNED The Daily Beast. BECAUSE THEY The policy even ADMITTED PAST affected staffers CANNABIS USE IN A DOCUMENT THEY whose Cannabis FILLED OUT AS PART use was exclusive to OF THEIR LENGTHY areas where the herb BACKGROUND CHECK. is legal. A number of young staffers were either “put on probation” or outright canned because they admitted past Cannabis use in a document they filled out as part of their lengthy background check. “I find it absurd that, in 2021, marijuana use is still part of a security background check,” said Tommy Vietor, who was on the 2008 Obama team and subsequently worked as a National Security Council spokesperson. “To me, marijuana use is completely irrelevant when you’re trying to decide whether an individual should be trusted with national security information.”
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medical Cannabis dispensaries were open in New Jersey as of March 19, under new decrim laws.
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“Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers,” were open in Florida as of March 19.
NE GOVERNOR CLAIMS MARIJUANA IS ‘GOING TO KILL YOUR KIDS’
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ebraska Governor Pete Ricketts’ remarks on the supposed dangers of marijuana were widely condemned after he said at a press conference, “If you legalize marijuana, you’re going to kill your kids.” “These words didn’t elevate the discussion,” scolded the Lincoln Journal-Star in an op-ed. “Rather, his oversimplification of the topic ignored the pleas of parents with sick children – and that the legislation being debated later that day was specific to medical uses.” Despite the mild-mannered nature of the newspaper’s rebuke, the fact remains that Gov. Ricketts’ remarks weren’t just an “oversimplification,” of course – they were an outright falsehood. Nebraska, along with Idaho, is one of just two states left that have absolutely no protection for medical Cannabis patients, not even a lowly CBD law.
the south
FLORIDA COUPLE ACCUSED OF SMOKING POT W/ KIDS
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arried high school teachers in Brevard County, Florida were arrested March 18 after deputies claimed they had supplied students with marijuana. James Brand, 50, and Amy O’Reilly Brand, 45, were each charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The Dept. of Children and Families received a complaint about the Brands earlier in March that the two were allowing a girl younger than 18 to use marijuana and “have a relationship” with an adult man in their home. During the investigation, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the Brands also smoked marijuana with students at their home “on multiple occasions,” reports Florida Today.
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bags of THC edibles, a pound of Cannabis and a gun, were seized in a Tennessee traffic stop.
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awmakers on March 18 filed the latest bill to legalize Cannabis in Delaware. Pressure is greater than ever before on the General Assembly to pass it, according to Delaware Online, with neighboring states moving to legalize and with advocates citing the need for job growth to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic. House Bill 150, introduced by Rep. Ed Osienski (D-Newark), would allow adults 21 and older to buy up to an ounce of weed from a licensed seller. It would tax Cannabis at 15 percent, which is lower than most states that have legalized. Lawmakers want to remain competitive with nearby states such as New Jersey, and to cut down on illegal sales. State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’ office estimated Delaware could bring in $43 million a year from legal weed. The bill’s sponsors stress that Cannabis revenues are not a “stable revenue source,” especially with nearby states also establishing legal marijuana markets.
LEGALIZATION
ADVOCATES PUSH MD LAWMAKERS TO LEGALIZE
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he lack of progress on two bills to legalize marijuana in Maryland has advocates fuming – with organizers in late March going as far as confronting lawmakers 66 PERCENT OF MARYLANDERS with a 51-foot inflatable joint at the State House on SUPPORT THE LEGALIZATION March 18. OF CANNABIS The bills are still under ACCORDING TO consideration. According to A GOUCHER POLL. demonstrators, the House version, House Bill 32, is superior because it allows the unfettered sale of marijuana and personal use of plants and seeds. Bill sponsors said legalizing would generate $300 million a year in tax revenue. The legislation would also expunge past marijuana related offenses.
10 k $8.5m $435m
commercial medical Cannabis licenses are currently active in Oklahoma.
was the value placed on 1,200 pounds of marijuana seized by Indiana State Police on March 16.
in assets and cash was the value placed on a Cannabis merger between NewLake Capital Partners and real estate investment trust GreenAcreage.
STORIES by STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
®
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interview
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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
"I DON’T EVEN LOOK AT THE THC PERCENTAGE BECAUSE I’M ALL ABOUT THE TERPS."
APR. 2021
ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
W H O ’ S Y O U R FAV O R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N A T I O N S T O J O S H @ A K L E A F . C O M
CEDRICK WALKER
DENALI DISPENSARIES
BORN AND RAISED IN ALASKA, Cedrick is a family man who started in the Cannabis game doing all the fun stuff like cultivating, packing, trimming and harvesting. Being able to lock in those tasks with the headphones on was a real joy, but now being on the front lines interacting with so many people in the shop is where he feels he truly belongs. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING ON LATELY?
Today I tried AK GG #4 and it was quite tasty. The Snow Angel OG that we grow here is really good, too.
It should be more serious, because some of the names are a joke. Like I heard of a strain called Death Fart. I tell that to some people, and they look at me like, “I’m not putting that in my mouth.” And I don’t blame them.
IF YOU FIND A STRAIN THAT RESONATES WITH YOU, WILL YOU RECOMMEND IT TO YOUR CLIENTELE? Absolutely. Right now it’s
Something like Snowflake (cracking up).
WE’RE TALKING ABOUT A CANNABIS STRAIN, RIGHT? Absolutely (laughs).
I DON’T KNOW, BRO, DEATH FART SOUNDS LIKE SOME KRYPTONIC INDICA THAT WILL DROP YOU TO THE MAT! Totally!
Titty Sprinkles. Everybody loves Titty Sprinkles.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT STRAIN NAMES IN GENERAL? DO YOU THINK THEY REPRESENT CANNABIS IN THE RIGHT WAY? I don’t, really.
WHAT WOULD YOU RENAME DEATH FART?
HAVE YOU USED CANNABIS MEDICINALLY?
Definitely. I use it before and after workouts because it helps with pain.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS AN ASPIRING BUDTENDER? Just be
yourself. People in Alaska can read fakes, so you just have to be you. And learn the difference in strains. Learn the terpenes, too, because that’s the most important thing. I don’t even look at the THC percentage because I’m all about the terps. 225 E 5TH AVE, ANCHORAGE DENALIDISPENSARIES.COM 8AM-11PM DAILY (907) 646-4200
INTERVIEW by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS
shop review
PIECE OF MIND CANNABIS R EVI E W b y ALAS KA LEA F STA F F | P HOTOS b y O ' HARA S H I P E @ S H I P E S HOTS
ENVIRONMENT & VIBE Piece of Mind Cannabis is, by design, one of the most spacious shops we have seen. The reason? According to the shop’s owner, they wanted to shake off any feelings of the dark, illegal days when we had to sneak around. Another point of pride for the shop are their numerous glass cases featuring everything from high end dab rigs to small spoons. The wide open layout also gives you time to slowly peruse all the local art that adorns the walls without feeling rushed or crowded by other patrons.
PRODUCTS
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Apart from its superior glass offerings, Piece of Mind also features a nice selection of flowers, edibles and concentrates. If you’re looking for flower, you’ll find strains from Thirdstate, Black Rapids, Top Hat and Smoking Joe’s Terps. They also have a solid assortment of prerolls from Green Go, and their edible options feature Leaf Chews from Einstein Labs and sodas and hard candies from Fire Eaters. While they aren’t stockpiled with concentrate options, they definitely have enough variety to satiate every need.
HISTORY Piece of Mind Cannabis’ flagship store opened as a headshop in Spokane, Washington in 1997. Since then, the company has evolved to encompass over 14 stores in the Pacific Northwest, including its Downtown Anchorage store, which opened its doors in July 2017. If you haven’t visited the shop in a while, it might be high time to check it out again, as it recently underwent a facelift.
LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
BUDTENDERS The majority of Piece of Mind Cannabis’ budtenders are new to the trade, but what they may lack in experience, they make up for in exuberance. The shop’s mentality is that while they can teach someone about Cannabis, they can’t teach them to have a good, hardworking personality. The difference is noticeable the second you are greeted at the door. The budtenders are happy to be there and even happier to help you pick out the right product for your individual needs.
QUICK HIT You’ve heard the old adage, don’t judge a book by its cover. When it comes to Piece of Mind Cannabis in Downtown Anchorage, nothing could be more accurate. Disguised by a humble exterior, the true nature of the shop is much more grandiose. Truth be told, Piece of Mind Cannabis isn’t just your run-of-the-mill shop – it beckons you to make it a destination.
APART FROM ITS SUPERIOR GLASS OFFERINGS, PIECE OF MIND ALSO FEATURES A NICE SELECTION OF FLOWERS, EDIBLES AND CONCENTRATES. PIECE OF MIND CANNABIS 221 E 5TH AVE ANCHORAGE, AK POMCANNABIS.COM
apR. 2021
9AM-11PM DAILY (907) 222-5420
The company has evolved to encompass over 14 stores in the Pacific Northwest, including its Downtown Anchorage store.
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We have CBDs!
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SOUR SLURRICANE #1
HARAMBE Lic # 12550 1) Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. (2) Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. D o not operate a vehicle or machiner y under its influence. (3) There are health r isks associated with the consumption of mar ijuana. (4) For u s e b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n . ( 5 ) M a r i j u a n a s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d b y w o m e n w h o a r e p r e g n a n t o r b r e a s t f e e d i n g .
leafmagazines.com
LLC
24 garden highlight
n e t h g i l En ns e d r a G
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AT THE END OF MARCH, a palpable sense of excitement took over a 15,000-square-foot growing facility in Anchorage. It was the kind of focused energy that only comes from being days away from your first harvest. For Enlighten Gardens LLC, the promise of their upcoming bounty has been sweetened by the struggle they went through to get the operation up and running. “This entire project has been very humbling – to see how things have come together after so much struggle is a good feeling,” explains Cultivation Manager Chad Foos.
Enlighten Gardens Head Cultivator Chad Foos.
Hawaiian Dutch from their first harvest An Alaskan transplant by way of Colonurse their clones rado, Foos has overseen large scale opin red Solo cups at Enlighten is erations for the past 11 years. So, when approved residences he was offered a place with Enlighten in before moving them diving straight 2018, it seemed like it would be a natural into their new home. fit. What ensued was a multi-year struggle "We just had to do into the deep end to find the perfect facility, while trying what we had to do,” with 12 different to push through permitting. Not unlike shrugs Foos. “Most Goldilocks, Enlighten struck out on three of [clone room] was strains. facilities before finally finding the right filled up with Solo one in 2020. cups and small plants. Now that we have everyThe first proposed facility was occupied by a thing in vegetation, it looks bare – but it makes stubborn squatter. The second building was a me happy walking into here and not seeing cups lot like a bad Tinder date – great on paper but everywhere! Watering hundreds and hundreds of terrible in-person. Their third option’s rent was too little cups every day was pretty unfortunate.” high. With his first plants safely nestled in one of the It all seemed like a losing prospect until, as facility’s three grow rooms, Foos has turned his Foos puts it, “The universe finally sent us the right attention to finishing construction on the large building.” Ironically, Foos’ dream building once vegetation room. served as a warehouse for criminal evidence Once completed, the vertical grow will house collected by Alaska State Troopers. as many as 1,500 plants at a time. It will also “We actually had the sign for a little while bego through 800 gallons of water daily – much of fore the Troopers found out and came to reclaim which will be recycled through the natural condenit,” laughs Foos. sation that accumulates in the room. Unfortunately, finding the perfect space wasn’t “When we thought about how we wanted to the end of Enlighten’s journey. With a tight harvest structure our grow, we wanted to make sure that deadline approaching and remodels still underwe factored in sustainability. For us, the focus is on way, Foos and his fellow employees had to legally quality, not always quantity,” explains Foos.
However, when it comes to their first harvest, Enlighten is diving straight into the deep end with 12 different strains. “Given that our owners have had a storefront for four years now, they were able to make educated decisions on what would be a good start for us. We have a solid sativa and some good indica strains. We also have a variety of hybrids that are right in the middle. So, we kind of covered the gamut to make sure that we have a little bit of everything in this first harvest,” says Foos. The initial harvest is only a small sampling of bigger things to come from the budding garden. Enlighten currently has access to close to 200 different varieties of genetics to play with. Once the grow is completely dialed in, Foos hopes to release in-house created feminized seeds through the company’s retail store, which already sells high quality, stable clones. But first, Foos is just looking forward to setting up the garden’s Dosatron systems so he can finally take a break from all the hand-watering. “Definitely holding my breath on that one,” laughs Foos.
ENLIGHTENAK.COM
STORY & PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF
CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE Advertising starting at $300 per month
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cannthropology
WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS
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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
American Pipe Dreams When it comes to glass smokeware, it doesn’t get much more old school than Jerome Baker Designs. JBD helped to establish the modern glass industry and became the largest bong producer in the world … that is, until Operation Pipe Dreams caused the company to go up in smoke. Now, nearly 20 years later, they’ve risen from the ashes to reclaim their place of prominence in the glass game. PYREX PIONEERS The Jerome Baker story begins, unsurprisingly, in the parking lot of a Dead show in Massachusetts in July 1989. It was there that a college student from Miami named Jason Harris met a hippie pipe maker from Eugene, Oregon named Bob Snodgrass. Known as the Godfather of Glass, Snodgrass invented two groundbreaking glassblowing techniques: fuming (aka color-changing glass) and the “pushed-in bowl.” His individualism and ingenuity would inspire and influence all those to follow.
apR. 2021
Jerome Baker Designs
“There was just some magical attraction to Bob—he’s just that kind of being,” Harris says. “He was the coolest dude I’d ever met. I just wanted to be like him instantly.” After graduating in 1991, Harris enrolled in the art program at the University of Oregon, moved out to Eugene and reached out to Snodgrass. In the months that followed, Harris saved his money, bought a torch, and began studying under Snodgrass as one of only 10 apprentices. “There was an energy in the air surrounding that scene at the time,” he recalls fondly. “It was magical.” In 1993, Harris and fellow apprentice Chris Shave (founder of Jah Creations Glass) started working together—first in a small garage down the street from Snodgrass, then in a larger studio with another fellow student, Dan K. It was Dan who introduced the group to the big Carlisle CC Burner torch and heavy wall glass, as well as the “wrap and rake” technique—all of which were game-changers for the budding industry. Harris and Shave sold their pipes on the Dead tour, as well as at headshops in New York. To set himself apart and earn more money, Harris began making bongs rather than pipes—a technique he learned from Snoddy’s top student, Cameron Tower. He also took advantage of his mom’s flight attendant privileges to fly around the world and study glass art—working at glass shops in Italy, Germany, and even as far as India.
Among those caught up in the dragnet was famed Cannabis comedian Tommy Chong, whose companies Chong Glass Works and Nice Dreams had been entrapped by undercover agents into selling a bong across state lines.
JBD “pre-op” frog bong
COURTESY JBD
he moved to Maui and focused on surfing and creating high-end, non-functional glass art for tourists under a new company called Maui Glass Blowing. OPERATION PIPE DREAMS But even though JBD was no longer making smokeware, Harris Around 6:00 a.m. on the morning of Monday, February never abandoned the brand—instead transitioning it into a skater/ 24, 2003, Harris was awakened by a pounding on his front surfer lifestyle brand. While this never paid off financially, it kept the door. Moments later, dozens of DEA agents in SWAT gear JBD brand relevant within the culture. It wasn’t until he experienced raided his home, hogtied him, threatweed’s newly legal recreational status at ened to shoot his dog, questioned him the 2012 Cannabis Cup in Denver that extensively, then hauled him off to county he decided it was time for JBD to make a By 1999, they’d become the jail. Unbeknownst to him, his headshop, comeback. Using his skills, connections, largest smokeware company warehouse and production facility were name recognition, and an exciting new also simultaneously being raided. marketing tool called social media, Harris in the world—employing It wasn’t until Harris was watching TV was able to re-establish JBD’s place of 70 glassblowers and through the bars of his jail cell that he prominence in the glass industry within just earning $4 million a year. realized the extent of what had gone a few years. Before long, they were prodown that day: In a news conference held ducing custom pieces for A-list celebrities, by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, and in 2018 made history by creating the he learned that his arrest was part of a world’s largest bongs. The biggest of the multi-agency sting targeting glass producbatch—dubbed “Bongzilla”—stood 24-feet ers across the country called Operation tall and weighed 80 pounds, making its Pipe Dreams. debut in October 2018 at Las Vegas’ Can“Holy shit,” Harris thought to himself, nabition exhibit. That same year, JBD also “I’m in serious trouble!” opened their new headquarters in Vegas, Among those caught up in the dragnet which they named the Dream Factory. was famed Cannabis comedian Tommy Last fall, JBD released a line of limited Chong, whose companies Chong Glass edition Chong Bongs with fellow former Works and Nice Dreams had been enOPD target Tommy Chong, and this trapped by undercover agents into selling month are premiering a new glassblowa bong across state lines. To spare his ing competition show on YouTube Harris, Snodgrass family, Tommy took the full rap—pleadcalled Operation Pipe Dreamers and a giant bong. ing guilty to conspiracy to distribute drug with Chong as one of its judges. paraphernalia. On September 11, 2003, According to Harris—who’s now he was sentenced to nine months in federal prison and a year celebrating his 30th anniversary in the business—the show of probation. Of all those charged as part of Operation Pipe has two primary goals: The first is to document glass art and Dreams, Chong was the only one to see actual prison time. culture for posterity. “By putting the celebrity in jail, they were using the justice “If I make a bong and somebody buys it, and there are no pictures system to make a political statement,” says Harris. “That’s of it, it doesn’t get logged in our history,” says Harris. “We need to what they did with Tommy.” make sure that the OG vibe gets remembered and embedded into Thankfully, Harris’ deal allowed him to avoid jail time. what this culture’s going to become.” In addition to paying massive fines and legal fees, he was And the second goal? To help finally get Cannabis legalized sentenced to just one year of house arrest and five years nationwide. “Manufacturing drug paraphernalia is still illegal on a probation. federal level. They can still come bust our doors down at any time,” he cautions. “The laws have to be changed.” DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK With pipe making off the table, Harris needed a new way To go behind the glass with Jason Harris, listen to Episode #10 of our podcast at to earn a living. First, he accepted a teaching position at his worldofcannabis.museum/podcast. Story and photos originally published on alma mater, the University of Oregon, as well as co-founding worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission. Read the full and working at the Eugene Glass School. Then in 2006, extended version of this article on our website.
STORY by BOBBY BLACK @CANNTHROPOLOGY for LEAF NATION | MAIN PHOTO by SLY VEGAS/SLYVEGASPHOTO.COM
WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM COLLECTION
He also took courses at the esteemed Pilchuck glass school in Seattle, where he continued to hone his skills and expand his horizons. Then in 1995, he and partner Jordan Schefter formed their own company, which Harris decided to call Jerome Baker Designs—“Jerome,” an homage to Jerry Garcia who had recently died, and “Baker,” as in someone who gets “baked.” “I wanted to have a brand name that everybody could get behind—something besides just my own name.” One of JBD’s trademark styles was the Mothership—an orb-like base with a long shaft and a “snap and pull” downstem (a flared tube with a rubber seal that you pull out to carb)—an idea they borrowed from the Graffix bongs of the time. Unlike heady pieces, in which individual artists create unique works of art, JBD focused on production pieces, with various artists in their shop crafting different components and combining them in assembly-line fashion. This proved highly successful: By 1999, they’d become the largest smokeware company in the world—employing 70 glassblowers and earning $4 million a year.
/greenjarak
@greenjar.ak
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Open 7 days a Week from 9am-9pm www.GreenJarAk.com 4901 E. Blue Lupine Dr. Ste. E Wasilla, Alaska 99654 MARIJUANA HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA IMPAIRS CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGEMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER ITS INFLUENCE. FOR USE BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. THERE ARE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA. MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE USED BY WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING.
“Why fly? When you can enjoy the most beautiful ride on earth”
ANCHORAGE TO HOMER June 1st-Aug 31st Monday – Friday Departs Anchorage Arctic & International – 724 W. International - Garrett’s Tesoro Cooper Landing Wild- man’s 300pm Soldotna Chamber of Commerce 500pm All times are approx. Stage Line Summer Schedule HOMER TO ANCHORAGE June 1st-Aug 31st Monday – Friday Departs Homer 830am 1242 Ocean Dr Soldotna Chamber of Commerce 1015am Cooper Landing Wildman’s 1115am
VISITING ALASKA
Sights seen from the road
SEWARD TO HOMER June 1st – August 31st Mon Wed Fri
Locally owned and operated by a Departs Seward 100pm lifelong Alaskan, Stage Line offers call ahead for pick up point passenger transportation, freight, parcel, and courier service, between Cooper Landing Wild- man’s 200pm Anchorage and the Kenai Soldotna 300pm Peninsula. Our schedule includes, All times are approx Anchorage to Homer, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Kasilof, Ninilchik, HOMER TO SEWARD Anchor Point. Homer to Seward, June 1st - August 31st Soldotna, Cooper Landing. And any The Stage Line PO Box 353 Anchor Point, Mon Wed Fri points in between! MP flag stops AK available! Private party charters Departs Homer 1242 Ocean Dr 900am The Stage Line 1242 Ocean Dr Homer, Ak available! Reasonable rates, saves 724 W International Anchorage, Ak of Commerce time and money for travelling or your Soldotna Chamber Staging points only 1030am 907-868-3914 907-235-2252 shipping needs. Cooper Landing Wildman’s 1130 E-mail: stage.line@yahoo.com One of the top 10 most scenic www.stagelineinhomer.com highways.
STRAIN OF THE MONTH aklEAF.COM
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FLAGRANTLY FLORAL AND FULL OF FUEL, THIS BEAUTIFUL OG SOUR DIESEL DELIVERS OLD SCHOOL GENETICS WITH A HEAVY DOSE OF TERPENES. APR. 2021
GROWN BY SUILNUA
OG
Sour Diesel blends the original OG Kush with the lemony sourfuel of the Sour Diesel, combining for a hybrid with invigorating and stoney effects. The medium sized fluffy nugs have an even mixture of red hairs and trichomes, with a fluffier bud structure and clean cure that delivers a very satisfying snap when breaking up a nugget. Opening up the flower reveals a sharp gas and lemon flavor that hints at the journey into stoniness ahead. Our first inhale through a bong was brightly flavored with sweet fuel and exhaled a kushy cloud with minimal coughing. Effects quickly rushed LIKE FUEL into the forehead, BURNING inviting a mild THROUGH THE case of bong MIND AND BODY sweat while IN NUMBING, ripping down a EUPHORIC couple fat bowls. WAVES. This strain comes on in a rush, with the fuel burning through the mind and body in numbing, euphoric waves. Within an hour we were mentally on cloud nine with a mellow body high that continued to build with repeated use, turning an afternoon into a happy, smokey sesh. Perfect for relieving stress or bringing a relaxing, chill vibe, this strain is ideal for daytime use. However, it’s also a great end of day smoke that packs enough power to get you stoned, but will still keep you up for whatever the night calls for. No matter the adventure, you’ll be happy with the outcome after smoking this OG Sour Diesel.
OG SOUR DIESEL
18.36% THC, 2.79% Terpenes Available from Hillside Natural Wellness
REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS
the glass issue
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MothershipGlass Water is known to be impacted by human intentions, thoughts and sounds. After many years of research, Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto has shown the world the powers of positive thinking and its immense impact on the water molecule – where his studies have concluded that our ideas and feelings have the magical power to alter the molecular structure of water. Much like water, there is a strong synergistic relationship between the incredible energy encapsulated within Mothership studios and the glass art that they produce.
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Mothership Glass has risen to the top echelon of glassmakers in the world. Their remarkable and one-of-a-kind designs include the Klein, Ball Rig, Torus, Egg, Exosphere, BKT(Ball Rig/ Klein/Torus), and FKT(Fab/Klein/Torus). They are now applying their incredible skills to dry pipes, glassware and soon-to-be, home goods. This close-knit, family-owned, and operated business is home to 35+ employees, including Scott Deppe’s mother, Alisha, and four of his siblings named Eric, Travis, Katie, and Jayson. Each team member provides a diverse and unique skill set, which helps tie together the organic, symbiotic connection found at this otherworldly studio. Our team had the extraordinary opportunity to take a look behind the scenes and see the way Deppe and his team have taken the glass world that we once knew and flipped it upside down. Using wizard-like techniques, Deppe has reinvented the wheel when it comes to fuming with his breathtaking Hologram series. Keep a close eye on their Instagram page for all updates on future releases for your chance at grabbing one of their prized and sought-after works of art.
APr. 2021
Founder Scott Deppe holds onto his 50th Anniversary Grateful Dead tribute collab with Rose Roads, and Mothership Glass artists hard at work at their Bellingham, WA headquarters. PHOTOS BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
“Using wizard-like techniques, Deppe has reinvented the wheel when it comes to fuming with his breathtaking Hologram series.” Can you shed some light on how you brought a scientific approach to the glass pipe industry? How do you concoct some of these mind-melting designs? With the immense love for Cannabis and hash that I have, I am always searching for a better way to enjoy the two. I nerd out on things hard and am always trying to create a more enjoyable experience for myself. It’s a lot of experimenting – by seeing what’s out there in different facets of nature, engines and technology – amongst many other things. As water acts with a mind of its own and wants to do certain things, we incorporate its natural flow state into our pieces. Overall, this provides a very high-quality function and flow for our pipes. When coming up with concepts for the incredible Hologram series, where do you draw inspiration? Over the years, there have been many transformative universal messages that I have received. We are constantly searching for ways to tell folklore stories through our glass that have a deeper meaning. In collaboration with our in-house artist Max McNett and sandblast expert Erin Bohn, we work together to bring the industry some of the most innovative glass art imaginable. Our skilled and artistic staff often have very imaginative ideas that end up projected into concepts for a hologram series. The unique relationship shared between our artisan glass blowers helps us work together and generate an infinite amount of ideas. With our up-and-coming Catalyst series, we depicted the classic Stoned Ape theory. This thesis touches on monkeys eating mushrooms in the savannah, where they furthered the evolutionary process by altering their prefrontal cortex. Our Strange Deities, like our other series, are heavily influenced by space-like objects, as well as crop circles. I see that your company is experimenting with glassware and laser-etching of wood. What new expansions do you see Mothership Glass expanding into in the future? We will be getting into some home decor, including intricate coffee tables and chandeliers that will tie together your sophisticated sesh table and connoisseur ambiance. One day, we hope to have the rooms in your house decked out with an enlightened style, matched by the works of art that we offer.
MOTHERSHIPGLASS.COM @MOTHERSHIP_GLASS
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | GLASS PHOTOS by LUCAS REILLY @PHOTOJOURNALUCAS/MOTHERSHIP GLASS
Listen to Leaf Life Podcast show #110 | The Scott Deppe Interview
the glass issue
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Avatar Glass M A N I F E ST I N G YO U R PAT H
leafmagazines.com
The artwork and culture that surrounds glass continues to expand in artistic exploration, function and overall popularity. Avatar Mccravy, better known as Avatar Glass, is a perfect example of how the underground scene of glass pipes and art has helped form an entirely new generation of artists. AT 22-YEARS-OLD, Avatar feels like he is just at the beginning of what he knows will be an exciting career in glass. Avatar was born in 1998, only a few years before the infamous Operation Pipe Dreams took down many in the glass community, pushing the art scene further underground. He grew up on the East Coast in Asheville, North Carolina with parents who were big live music heads, travel-
APr. 2021
was 16 and I remember someone hitting me ing the country to see bands like Phish and the up asking for a custom belt buckle and they’d Grateful Dead. In what may seem like a quick give me $100, and that was it.” rise to the upper echelon of the glass art scene, He quit his regular job and continued to the career of Avatar has actually grown consishone his skills with his home-brew studio, tently and equally with the amount of love and completing his high school graduation project effort he has put into the art form. on lamp working – with most of his first sales When asked where his drive comes from, he of pendants and belt buckles going to his local was quick to speak of his mom’s inspiration: high school friends. Avatar’s mother raised five kids by herself in a By age 18, Avatar began having the desire three bedroom apartment, and he watched her to make his pieces more and hustle and work extremely hard, more complex – largely due to eventually becoming a nurse to collector demand. support her family. This is when the AstralcyAccording to Avatar, all of his cler design was manifested. early inspiration came from direct “Astral means ‘of the stars’ life experiences and getting into and everything on this earth the glass game was tough. “I came from them. Stars are remember calling my mom and like a reactor, they take fuel telling her that I thought I could and convert it into something really do it for a living,” Avatar else. They form hydrogen into recalls. “I picked it up quickly, but helium, and helium is built I was always just willing to put in into carbon, nitrogen, oxygen hours. Everyone would almost and everything else we are laugh at me when I was 12 and made of. It’s a way of bringing telling people I wanted to be a it back to the origins of our creglassblower. People would tell me “It’s a way of and how in this universe, I had to do this and that first, and bringing it back ation everything is connected,” says basically go through all these levels. to the origins Avatar. I just wanted to put in the hours.” When asked how he’s gotten In 2011, the legendary documen- of our creation to this point in his career in tary “Degenerate Art” was released and how in glass art so quickly, Avatar says, and Avatar really saw the different this universe, “Really what it comes down to levels to the glass game. is showing up every day and So at age 15, he everything is having this discussion with the decided to approach connected.” muse. That you’re there every glass with an entrepreday and you’re sending the signal to the unineurial attitude, got a second job, verse that you’re ready to work.” saved up money and set up a mini Avatar’s first official show was held in March torch in his mother’s garage. 2021 with Hickory Smoke Shop in California “Because I was under 18, no – a full body of work with a series of Mythoone wanted to teach me how to logical Sphinxes and other works representing make a pipe,” says Avatar. his love, vision and output of energy into the “So I had to do it myself, and artform he has spent his life pursuing. it definitely gave me that ‘do-itmyself’ attitude. I changed my Instagram to Avatar Glass when I AVATARGLASS.NET | @AVATARGLASS
STORY & PHOTOS by SAMUEL FARLEY @THC_SAMUEL for LEAF NATION
the glass issue
ALASKA
Skyler Baisch spent his early years on a horse ranch in Colorado before moving to the wilds of Detroit. In his early teens, he was uprooted again and found himself deep in the backwoods of Wasilla, Alaska. Predominantly known
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leafmagazines.com
for producing some of the state’s best Cannabis, Baisch’s new home was the catalyst behind his love of the plant and blowing functional glass. Although Baisch was actively producing glasswork in his early 20s, he put his passion aside to start a family. After years of working in landscaping, the perils of COVID-19 put his small business on the ropes and signaled his return to glass. “The landscaping business was falling on its face. I mean, who wants to call somebody to mow the lawn or cut down a tree when you have to worry about a pandemic,” explains Baisch.
Skyler Baisch APr. 2021
With a focus on providing for his family, Baisch has set up shop in a gutted 1969 Shasta trailer in his yard. For the moment, the cost of shipping glass materials, limited space and the Alaskan market have dictated that Baisch focus on creating spoons – but don’t be surprised if you see big things coming from him soon. @SKYLERBAISCH
STORY & PHOTOS by O’HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/LEAF NATION
the glass issue
ALASKA
40
Vinë
# leafmagazines.com
In a state as grand as Alaska, bigger is almost always bigger – except when it comes to how we consume our Cannabis. In lieu of grandiose dab rigs, most Alaskans opt for the functional artwork of petite spoons that are perfect for sparking up before hitting the mountains. But size limitations haven’t stopped #vinë from creating memorable, fantastical pieces to suit every style. Using techniques that range from Ratachello to Incalmo, #vinë has asserted himself as one of Alaska’s best blowers.
@907VINE
APr. 2021
STORY & PHOTOS by O’HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/LEAF NATION
the glass issue
WASHINGTON
Haaps Glass
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Hailing from the PNW, Ian Haapala is easily one of the most prominent up-and-coming glass artists in the game right now. Living in Washington state his entire life, he moved to Seattle with the motivation and inspiration to learn more about borosilicate and the art of pipe making. For the past five years, he has diligently spent his time blowing glass nearly every single day. With a primary focus on spiral cane millie, Haapala continues pushing himself to produce unique and innovative patterns. As featured, this style of rig named “quasi” showcases UV-reactive Orange Sunshine from Portland, Oregon’s Glass Alchemy. @HAAPSGLASS
APr. 2021
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JAMIE ZILL @JLZILL
OREGON
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Beginning his glass blowing career in Los Angeles in 2001, Chris Carlson is well known for his perfectly executed sherlock pipes and basket weaving technique, amongst many other creations. Now
Chris Carlson
living in Oregon, Carlson pulls a flat ribbon of glass with beautiful stripes, then chips the glass into smaller squares. From there, he rearranges the glass to form incredibly intricate patterns. Carlson also offers unique crate and collector sets that often include matching rigs, dry pipes, pendants and jars. This 2021 Chip Collectors tube has 164 pieces and is a part of a big crate set in the collection of @steeloandrasta. @CARLSONJONES
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by CHRIS CARLSON @CARLSONJONES
LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
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APr. 2021
THE GLASS issue
OREGON
LaceFace
Based in Ashland, Oregon, Lacey “LaceFace” Walton has been exploring her passion for the color, fluidity, and form of glass since she began working on the torch in 2004, masterfully creating works of functional art that stimulate the creative mind and push boundaries on contemporary art. When asked what
her inspiration is for the unique, curved style featured in her work, Lacey said, “I believe glass holds the energy of life with its unique relationship to the powerful elements of Fire and Air. My artworks strive to present natural beauty by portraying life that occurs in the physical world like animals, flowers and the human form. The spiritualistic and ritualistic quality of pipes has always inspired me to create a higher form of functional art that can be portrayed as sacred, statuesque or shamanic. The medium of glass, in combination with ancient sacraments, has given our society a way to reach a higher consciousness, while also providing communion with each other by bringing people together to perform a ritual as old as human history itself – smoking.” @LACEFACEGLASS
“Earth, Air, Fire, Water”
STORY by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by ALEX REYNA @AREYSOCAL
the glass issue
California
COLLAB WITH MIKE LUNA
Stan Alba
Stan Alba apprenticed with the legendary Bob Snodgrass after meeting the master in the parking lot of a Grateful Dead show as a teenager, and learned the intricacies of the “fuming” style that Snodgrass invented. Alba
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moved down to California’s Humboldt County in 1998, blowing glass in the Emerald Triangle, where he currently lives on his own swath of property. Alba’s stunning style of fuming and building pieces is intensive, sometimes taking him three months to create one piece. Alba loves to collaborate with other glass blowers, creating lasting friendships with every stunning work of art.
leafmagazines.com
@STANALBA
COLLAB WITH JD MAPLESDEN
APr. 2021
COLLAB WITH MR. GRAY
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | LEAD PHOTO by JAMIE ZILL @JLZILL | ADDITIONAL PHOTOS by @WINDHOME
COLLAB WITH GRASSLAB
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COLLAB WITH KARMA GLASS
Bluegrass Glass
Bluegrass Glass owner Ari Rom brings a hyper-scientific approach to his artwork. His introduction to glassblowing began in a lab equipment shop in New Jersey, where he crafted glass for laboratory equipment before getting into the Cannabis world. “The big kicker was the economy crashing in ‘08,” Rom said. “The market was all fucked up. The whole scientific industry was going to shit, and at the same time, the weed industry and the glass industry was booming.” Now living in Humboldt County, Rom’s distinct lamp-style pieces have garnered such a following that he has a six month waitlist for a piece, and most of his new creations go to collectors who already own one. @BLUEGRASSGLASS
COLLAB WITH GATESON RECKO
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PHOTOS by @TCINMENDO
the GLASS issue
Maryland
Jeff Spaga Jeff started blowing glass in 2014 when a buddy of his returned home from California, where he had just learned the trade himself. His friend wanted to start up a studio and needed someone to work with. “Naturally, he
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asked if I wanted to join him and I picked it up pretty quickly, and began doing it as my main source of income,” Jeff said with a grin. As a self-taught artist who mostly creates functional pieces with out-of-this-world line work, Jeff draws inspiration from some of the line work greats like Eusheen and Cowboy. Occasionally on the nonfunctional side he makes marbles, and has plans on making some larger ones in the future. Custom orders are also available.
leafmagazines.com
@JEFF_SPAGA
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STORY by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JOSH STIFLER @MARYLANDERL
the GLASS issue
Maryland
GlassKid
TINY WORLD PENDANTS
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Jerrad Santmyer, aka GlassKid, has been crushing the game with his miniature glass items – from bowls the size of a grain of rice to nature-scene-in-abottle pendants, including mushrooms, slugs and crystals throughout a vast and detailed forest.
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Jerrad attended Salem Community College with a focus on glass art, working among some truly inspiring classmates in a massive studio. He draws inspiration from his childhood, where he had a passion for collecting miniature items. Jerrad noticed that people had a strong appreciation for miniature glass objects and wanted to fill that niche. Instead of going for his usual forte of making large pipes, he decided to make a tiny one instead. The rest is history. @GLASSKID
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STORY by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JOSH STIFLER @MARYLANDERL
WillsWorldAlaska.com WillsWorld_ak@outlook.com @wills_world_extracts
THE glass ISSUE
KGB Glass Brian Owoc moved to Portland, Maine in 1998 and was staying at a YMCA when he got his first job working the night shift at Dunkin’ Donuts. He really
enjoyed making them, because “donuts make people happy.” During this time, he decided to rent out a section of his garage so that his friend could build a small glass studio, with the promise that the friend would teach him to blow glass.
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It wasn’t long before he started to get the hang of it and decided to try and make his first Donut Bowl. While selling his pieces of glass to local headshops, he met his girlfriend Sarah Marblesbee, who was working as a manager at one of the stores. That was 10 years ago. They now share a studio in Portland where she also blows her own glass pipes, as well as adding her business degree and background to his creativity and workaholic style. Some glass artists teased him about making Donut Bowls, but that didn’t stop Brian. Now his Donut glass pipes, rigs and pendants are collected and sold throughout the world. Some people have accumulated more than 100 of his pieces!
LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
KGBGLASS.COM | @KGBGLASS
SARAH AND BRIAN CREATE GLASS TOGETHER.
APR. 2021
STORY & PHOTOS by CHARLES TAGGART/KIND BUD PHOTOS @KINDBUD.PHOTOS for LEAF NATION
Maine
GlassMafia
3 GENERATIONS OF GLASS BLOWERS A FAMILY BUSINESS
Mike Miller learned how to create glass art from his father while they were following Rainbow Festivals. Mike’s dad, a glassblower known as “Capt,” bought a school bus in 1995, loaded his five kids into it and started teaching them the trade, while also selling glass pieces at different musical events.
Mike tells Leaf Nation, “I was blowing and selling glass before I knew how to read, and teaching people how to blow glass by age 13.” After converting his home garage into a glass studio, Mike and his girlfriend Hanna (@sirenglass), plus three other glassblowers now make pieces for the store and for online sales. Mike’s dad, who no longer blows glass due to health issues, is often at the studio watching Mike and his oldest son creating glass art with pride. For the past five years, Mike has organized glass blowing demonstrations at events such as the Community Bonfire. He’s a licensed Maine caregiver and operates the Maine Daze Smoke Shop in Portland. “It’s all about providing for my family and helping people. It’s our family business.”
@GLASSMAFIA
SHOWCASING THEIR SIGNATURE GLOW RIGS
STORY & PHOTOS by CHARLES TAGGART/KIND BUD PHOTOS @KINDBUD.PHOTOS for LEAF NATION
concentratE OF THE MONTH
GOOD TITRATIONS
LEMONWOOD Distillate The perfect ingredient for a DIY spring edible project, or for everyday smokers looking for a new way to shake up their routine.
leafmagazines.com
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Reviews APr. 2021
Some names don’t make for a funny riddle, but when life hands you Lemon Wood distillate, there is no limit to the ways you can get baked with this high potency concentrate.
Distillate is a highly refined concentrate that has been purified to the essential oil of Cannabis, with all fats or lipids and impurities removed during the distillation process. The end result is a clean and almost translucent oil that is both beautiful and ready to be vaporized, smoked or eaten. This is the perfect ingredient for a DIY spring edible project, or for everyday smokers looking for a new way to shake up their routine. When distillate is processed, the heat involved activates the cannabinoids through a process called decarboxylation – preparing them to be digested by the body or for a quick, heavy high when vaped. Typically to cook with Cannabis, you must decarb any flower or oil used, but with distillate you can add it right to whatever you want to eat! Here’s some fun math: Each gram of oil by weight is made up of 1,000 milligrams of weight. By looking at the testing percentages, you can figure out how much Cannabis is in the oil. With 84.14% THC, this means that 84.14% of 1,000mg is THC, so there is a total of 841mg of THC within the gram of oil. That’s a lot of potential to get stoned, and an easy way to get baked at home! Now that the math part is over, you can always vaporize the distillate – which doesn’t involve thinking and will also get you very stoned. From dabbing to topping a bowl of flower, or refilling a cartridge or using a vaporizing device like a Puffco Peak, there is really no wrong way to enjoy this clean, delicious oil. We chose an old school low temp dab, and found that the distillate produced huge, gentle on the lungs clouds of vapor with a slightly sweet, earthy-woodsy flavor that tasted like a fresh spring walk through the woods. A very stoned, ‘remember your compass’ sort of walk! With tons of delicious options from Good Titrations, you really can’t go wrong choosing a distillate, a cartridge, or any of their shatter or other concentrate options. Don’t be afraid to explore – just remember your math before making infusions at home. You’ll thank us later for the warning!
GOODTITRATIONS.COM
84.14% THC / 0.18% TERPS
REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS
edible of the month
LADY GRAY MEDIBLES
Reviews
TEA TIME
leafmagazines.com
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We may live in the northernmost state, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the finer things that come from our friends down south – hushpuppies, fried catfish and chitlins. However, when it comes to sweet tea, Alaska's own Lady Gray Medibles @ladygraymedibles is not ready to concede the title for best in show. REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS
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Known predominantly for their top of the line edible products, Lady Gray Medibles pivoted in early March to create their very first beverage, High Tea. Crafted with all-natural ingredients, including organic black tea and organic sugar, High Tea's flavor is out of this world. Its texture is so smooth, it was hard to stop gulping when we reached the 10mg dosage mark. We also didn't pick up any hints of skunky aftertaste or cottonmouth. Taste aside, what makes High Tea a great product is the quick and potent onset. Unlike other edibles on the market, High Tea utilizes nano-emulsion – allowing the product's Cannabis ingredients to become smaller, water-soluble and easier to absorb. Essentially, cannabinoids formulated with a nano-emulsifier hit your saliva and stomach juices, and spontaneously emulsify into millions of microscopic bubbles of emulsion droplets that increase the speed of THC absorption into your system. The result is a high that hits you within minutes instead of hours. The trade-off to the quick absorption rate is that rather than a slowly creeping body high, we were left with a potent cerebral dose that found us in a bit of a fog. The high was not at all unpleasant, and was a welcome surprise after a stressful workday. But if you're someone who prefers a more gradual edible experience, High Tea might not be your cup of tea.
Crafted with allnatural ingredients … High Tea’s flavor is out of this world. 50MG THC PER BOTTLE
tannins & terpenes
T H E A RT OF PA I R I NG C A N N A BI S
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*Alaska Leaf Warning* Anytime you combine two substances of any kind, you have to be extra vigilant of the effects. We strongly recommend conducting pairings in a safe and private space, in small quantities with friends. Always use a designated driver or have a plan to get home safely.
SUMMIT SPICE & TEA COMPANY BRANDY OOLONG TEA PAIRED WITH FIREWEED EXTRACTS PURPLE PHANTOM COOKIES IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, then sometimes the cookies you eat become phantoms too quickly. In other words, cookies don’t last long – especially during quarantine! But have no fear, because this Purple Phantom Cookies pairing is as real as it gets. This concentrate from Fireweed Extracts has a beautiful golden orange coloring and a sappy, melty consistency that oozes with flavor and cannabinoids waiting to be inhaled. Opening a jar releases warming, earthy, cookie-kush notes that accent the brighter sweet berry flavors perfectly, teasing the senses and preparing the mind for a euphoric high. Known for sativa dominant effects, the strain has Cherry Pie and Grandaddy Purple as parents – making for a very stoney but euphoric buzz that complements the uplifting effects of the tea well. Oolong tea blends qualities of both dark and green teas, making it a perfect daytime choice that delivers energy, and might help boost metabolism and ease stress. It is also full of theanine, an amino acid that has documented relaxing effects. With the perfect amount of caffeine for a gentle lift,
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this pairing will get you in the a delicious Cookies finish that is A perfect stress ideal place to relax and enjoy washed away perfectly by a sip of tea. relieving and the transition from winter into a Consuming the two together delivers creative daytime beautiful Alaskan summer. a warm and fuzzy uplifting effect – the Once brewed, the tea has a Cannabis begins to fill the mind with choice that can fruity and slightly grassy flavor, brighten up any day. euphoria, while dimming stress and and can definitely be described excess thoughts, blending perfectly 75.90% THC | .38% CBG as a darker tea. We steeped it with the light caffeine boost and 3.28% Total Terpenes for about three minutes, keeping overall feeling of wellbeing that comes it from becoming too strong, with any cup of tea. adding a dollop of CBD infused Rich in terpenes and flavor, the honey to sweeten the mixture up. While it’s not as Purple Phantom Cookies is a perfect stress relieving bright and easy drinking as its green tea cousin, and creative daytime choice that can brighten up any this blend was refreshing and both fresh and floral day, especially one with outdoor activities and fresh – especially with the addition of honey. air involved. With our tea prepared, we lined up a low Paired with a healthy and beneficial cup of tea, temperature dab to get happily baked from a glob this combination can relieve an afternoon lull and of the Purple Phantom Cookies... get you ready to take on the adventures of the day, The oil melted easily in the banger, releasing from Netflix to exploring the great outdoors, or the a gentle vapor that coated the palate in a syrupy snack food section at the grocery store. Remember to sweet flavor with mixed berry notes. As the dab always be adventurous when combining flavors and settles in the lungs and exhales, a deeper resiny to try your own combinations of Cannabis with tea, flavor appears, lingering on the exhale with coffee, or any beverage that makes you happy.
REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS
I TALK TO MYSELVES
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leafmagazines.com
by Mike Ricker
true and I can admit it. I do it a lot. I mean, not out loud so much … well OK, out loud. But at least I’m hyperconscious about maintaining the flailing arms to conceal any evidence of my attempt to reign victorious in the current internal debate. But doesn’t everyone respond to those nagging inner voices with some form of discourse? I mean, it is part of being human to socially interact whether it is with a person, a pet, or a volleyball with palm shoots for hair named Hanes. Wait, what I meant was Wilson. Hanes was his other friend. And by nagging, I mean it never stops. The conjecture feels like a perpetual flow, with the impatient expectation of logical responses. Because if you’re a critical thinker or even someone who questions the meaning of your existence, you’re hardwired to answer reasonable inquiries – whether or not they’re self-provoked. You can only ignore yourself for so long. They say that there are three necessities in life to survive: food, water and companionship. And in these times of fewer and fewer options for companions, sometimes you’ve got to turn to yourself for a good chat. And I’m my own bestie – especially on those Saturday mornings that begin with a dab of Green Queen and a cup of coffee. Bam! Me, Myself and Irene are off to a roaring start, gossiping it up while the eggs get fried, the lawn gets mowed, and the Stoney Baloney gets wrote. First, there’s the voice who offers advice, then the one who loves to criticize, followed by the one who offers condolence, etc. Of course, as I continue to work on the royal “we” through self-care, the rebuts are often careful considerations for the emotional, sensitive myself. Except for the times when I feel like being a brat. But let’s not bring him into it. Hey, I’ve gotta go. I’m receiving a butt dial from me.
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