EDITOR NOTE

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

ABOUT THE COVER

“I would consider myself an artistic activist, striving to uplift Black women and people of color who are underrepresented in illustration. So, when Leaf Nation reached out to design the cover for their Equality Issue, I could not have been more excited. I see Cannabis legalization as a racial justice issue. That is why in the illustration you see the people disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs - weighing more on the scales of justice than the profits from Cannabis legalization. In order to right the wrongs of the past, we have to create a more equitable and diverse future in the legal Cannabis industry.”

ILLUSTRATION by OCTAVIA THORNS for Leaf Nation | @PrettyInInkPress

CONTRIBUTORS Skye Cabrera, Features Tom Bowers, Features Max Early, Features Steve Elliott ,National News Mike Ricker, Features Meghan Ridley, Editing Zack Ruskin, Features O'Hara Shipe, Photography Pacer Stacktrain, Features Nate Williams, Features Laurie & Bruce Wolf, Recipes Alex Workman, Features PUBLISHER WES ABNEY | founder & editor-in-chief Wes@nwleaf.com 206-235-6721

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel bermaN | photography & design daniel@bermanphotos.com

STATE DIRECTOR AND ADVERTISING joshua stahle | ADVERTISING SALES Josh@AKLeaf.com | 907-317-2536

We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis product or upcoming event. We are targeted and independent Cannabis journalism. Email or call to discuss advertising.

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WES ABNEY Editor ’ s Note

Thanks for picking up the first ever Equality Issue of the Leaf!

We began planning this issue last December, when the idea emerged to shift our Women’s Issue to something broader reaching. I know that none of our staff could’ve imagined the monumental changes and challenges that 11 2020 would deliver, and I feel blessed to be able to offer the Leaf as a platform for social justice. When I began publishing the Leaf in 2010, activism was the fuel that pushed each issue out. Cannabis patients and consumers IT IS THE DUTY OF THE were marginalized, persecuted and viewed as second class citizens. CANNABIS I saw the injustice of families broken and lives lost in prison for INDUSTRY TO possession of a plant, faced criminal charges for Cannabis myself, CONTINUE TO and realized that I had to raise my voice to make change. Over the years our fight expanded to include prisoner rights and awareness, the preservation of patient rights, the freedom of our STAND UP AND LEAD THE FIGHT TO MAKE THIS CHANGE A plant under recreational laws, as well as more advanced agendas REALITY! like the inclusion of women in the industry.

Today I stand to say that the injustices of the war on drugs - and ongoing systemic racism within America’s criminal justice system and political establishments - are the most important issues in modern history.

And within that fight for equality, the Cannabis industry plays a predominant role. For over 100 years drug laws have been used to target Black and Latinx people. Today this continues while slowly shifting power towards already wealthy and mainly white males of the pot industry, doing nothing to address the injustices of the past or present. This was never acceptable. Change is coming.

The injustices of the war on drugs must end, and it is the duty of the Cannabis industry to continue to stand up and lead the fight to make this change a reality! We are the victims turned stakeholders, who now have the opportunity to drive the change with our tax dollars, jobs and voices.

And while I cannot speak for the entire industry, I know that I speak for my entire staff and family when I say that the Leaf is committed to helping lead this change. We will raise our voice monthly with our Equity Column, holding accountable the broken system as we hope and pray for our country to wake up to a day when we are all equal - free to share our plant, ideas and lives. This is my hope. And I know that with the support of our readers, advertisers and industry, we will make this future a reality. Thank you for sharing our inspiration and please share with whom you have the opportunity. AKLEAF.COM -Wes Abney AUG. 2020