26 minute read
WEEMOTIONS
Onion down a dream
On a stormy Monday afternoon in Anchorage, the roads are obscured with a fresh coat of black ice and the remnants of the previous night’s snowfall. With COVID-19 restrictions tightening amidst a surge in case counts, the city is eerily quiet as 35-yearold Joshua Harrison navigates the mile of treacherous road that stands between his home and work. When he arrives, the parking lot is mostly vacant. He slips on a black face mask and adjusts his light blue work shirt before entering through the back door of Anchorage’s iconic greasy spoon, The Lucky Wishbone.
Inside, there is a flurry of activity as apron-clad workers rush about the tightly packed kitchen. Over the sound of cleavers, deep fryers and the hum of industrial freezers, Harrison greets his coworkers before setting up his small workstation. For the next five hours, Harrison will lovingly prep hundreds of onion rings from scratch.
“All of my friends always ask me how I don’t cry around all these onions,” explains Harrison with a smile. “I guess it’s just something you get used to. Plus, no one else can make the rings like I do.”
As Harrison nimbly dunks freshly cut onions into a container of batter before coating them in breadcrumbs, it’s evident that this humble man exemplifies the principle that the journey is more important than the destination.
“I definitely didn’t think that I would be working here for 16 years – you start to fall in love with the process and the people. But I’ve always dreamed of starting my own business. My first idea was to open a food cart called ‘Nacho Average Nacho,’” laughs Harrison. B ut just like the perfect onion ring has to be plucked from hot oil at precisely the right time, Harrison needed time to find what he was truly passionate about. In 2017, while sitting on his favorite leather chair in the condo he shares with his mom, he dreamed up Weemotions.
“It seems like for the longest time, people have had an unchanging mental picture of weed,” says Harrison. “It’s always the same leaf depicted and the same image of some stoner hippie smoking on their couch, but the reality is that Cannabis users are everyone from doctors to teachers. It occurred to me that there’s still a real stigma around the usage of Cannabis.”
Initially conceptualized as a specialized emoji keyboard featuring Cannabis leaf cartoons, Harrison wanted to change the face of Cannabis one emotion at a time. A year later and with a notebook full of inspiration, Harrison had the makings of a great business idea. Still, he lacked the proverbial missing ingredients to get his dream off the ground.
He had never owned a laptop. He didn’t know about the computer programs he would eventually need to digitize his sketches. And perhaps most importantly, he’d never built a business from the ground up.
“When I started, I didn’t know nothing at all. Like, literally, I had to stop so many times just to watch YouTube or read about how to do something,” says Harrison. Realizing the complexity of developing an emoji line, Harrison decided to transition his business from tech to an urban-influenced product line. It began with the production of stickers featuring a few of the growing number of characters he had created. Joshua Harrison, founder of Alaska apparel company, Weemotions, doesn't let his day job get in the way of his passion for illustration.
Onion down a dream
Weemotions Designs
Soon, Harrison’s friends were asking for branded, wearable merchandise.
“I never really saw myself pursuing a career in clothing – designing it is just something I love to do. I like to create and I feel like a lot of stuff is being created by people with money, not by people who are actual Cannabis consumers. So, I figured I should fill the niche that wasn’t being filled,” Harrison says.
The niche that Harrison hopes to occupy is as a global brand for Cannabis culture that includes everything from apparel to paraphernalia, and even adult comic books.
“The ultimate would be to have a show on Adult Swim,” says Harrison.
To date, Harrison has sunk $40K of his own money – or approximately the cost of 4,100 orders of onion rings – into developing Weemotions.
But it’s a price he’s willing to pay for one remarkable reason: A crucial element of Harrison’s business model is to manufacture his products locally in Alaska, so he can provide economic opportunities to the disenfranchised.
“A good friend of mine was getting out of jail on a felony charge, and I knew it was going to be really hard for him to find a good job. I also have friends who are single moms trying to raise multiple kids. You know, I want to be able to provide a business where people could drop in and work when they are down on their luck,” Harrison says.
Although Harrison might be a ways from realizing his goal, that’s not stopping him from working for it. Harrison’s line of hats, t-shirts, hoodies, stickers and air fresheners are currently stocked at two Anchorage dispensaries, Dankorage and Tip Top. He’s also planning to launch an online store and website in the new year. WEEMOTIONS.COM “It seems like for the longest time, people have had an unchanging mental picture of weed,” says Harrison. “It’s always the same leaf depicted and the same image of some stoner hippie smoking on their couch, but the reality is that Cannabis users are everyone from doctors to teachers. It occurred to me that there’s still a real stigma around the usage of Cannabis.”
You can follow Joshua's journey on Instagram: @Weemotions
Find his apparel at the Anchorage dispensaries, Dankorage & Tip Top.
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SCORPION GRASS
Pulling up to 266 S. McCallister Drive in Wasilla, you would never suspect that a little over a year ago, the sleek industrial building standing in front of you was engulfed in flames. On June 26, 2019, just days from his first harvest, Lead Cultivator Ryan Smith received the devastating news.
"A ll you can really do in that situation is drink a bottle of tequila – or at least that is what I did," explains Smith. As a former pro snowboarder, Smith is used to being knocked down and coming back stronger. And that is precisely what the California-native has done.
The now wholly rebuilt indoor garden features an elaborate automated feeding system that Smith calls the cultivation process’ heart and soul. Powered by Dosatron nutrient injectors, the automated system is fed by on-site well water that undergoes ultraviolet purification before being mixed with a specialty nutrient blend that Smith makes in-house. Apart from allowing Smith to keep absolute control over the water temperature and nutrient blend, the Dosatron system is also a space saver. "For all of these rooms and all of these plants, we would have needed massive mixing tanks to accommodate the 1,000 to 1,200 gallons of water we have running through here on a daily basis. Plus, I can control the entire system from my phone – anywhere in the world," says Smith. CONTINUES PG 22
Having a tight locus of control is the key to Scorpion Grass' success as Smith's crew is currently overseeing 60 ‘moms,’ from which 1,400 clones will be taken. The clones will spend 10-14 days in the mom room until they take root and are moved to the veg room.
In the veg room, the clones are planted in pre-filled coco coir cloth planters. Made from coconut husks, the coco coir is more environmentally friendly than peat moss and tends to produce hardier plants. "We decided on this system because the coco bricks expand quickly and in a big commercial setting like this, that saves labor as opposed to buying bags and coco to pack the pots by hand. The fabric pots also breathe a lot better so we can get more oxygen to the roots," says Smith.
Space-saving coco bricks are only one way that Smith is maximizing his available space. The veg room's high ceilings make it ideal for vertical gardening, so Smith's team utilizes three-tiered stacked tables on wheels to accommodate 1,400 growing clones. "The idea was to save square footage on the building by having really high ceilings. So, we actually have more canopy space than actual floor square footage," explains Smith.
Though the high ceilings are only used in the mom and veg room, Scorpion Grass' two bloom rooms are just as magnificent to witness. 1,100 successful clones are spread out across five, 48-foot-long tables that stretch the length of the room. Overhead, the budding plants are nourished by 72 massive lights that are 25x50 feet in size, and a drip water system.
But the sheer size of Scorpion Grass' bloom rooms is only one part of what makes the rooms so remarkable. "Everything about this building was designed for growing Cannabis and selling it, and then it burned down. I still remember coming in here after the fire and seeing a charred opening in the roof. The sun was shining in, and it was so surreal. It was like looking at a war zone," recalls Smith. It was in this devastation that Smith saw a small glimmer of hope. "I had to walk through here and take cuttings of some of the plants so we could save the genetics. And then I saw a piece of my favorite strain – Ice Cream Cake – literally growing out from underneath these old burned trusses from the roof. It was this real sentimental moment when I took that clone," says Smith.
The clone has since been cross-bred with MAC to create Smith's signature strain – Attic Fire – and is one of about 60 strains that Smith has overseen during his time with Scorpion Grass.
With in-house pollen stores, Smith can continue to craft new strains, but for now he’s focused on the goal of honing in on 30 reliable varieties that can be rotated monthly.
SCORPIONGRASSAK.COM | @SCORPION_GRASS
THE TREE HOUSEThe Tree House experience begins the moment you pull up to the store. Large storefront windows ENVIRONMENT & VIBE give you a peek at a larger-than-life mural by artist Ted Kim. It is not until you walk into the lobby that you realize the artwork is done entirely in black Sharpie markers. But this is only one of many pleasant surprises that await you. The Tree House interior is open concept and blends the hipster feel of the Pacific Northwest with Muldoon’s urban vibe. Uncensored hip-hop is on constant blast from the store’s speakers, and you can frequently find customers and budtenders engaged in impromptu karaoke – adding to the undeniably cool vibe that emanates from The Tree House.
PRODUCTS
There is no shortage of products to choose from at The Tree House. Customers can choose from 20 flower strains from Karma Grown Gardens, Scorpion Grass, Arctic Farm and Freedom 49 Farms, to name a few. Or, if edibles are more your speed, you’ll find everything from Honey Sticks to Mountain Man Cookies and Fire Eater Soda to Dosed Gummies. The dispensary is also wellstocked with concentrates, pre-rolls and topicals. To keep their products affordable, The Tree House has a generous rewards program and daily deals ranging from Wax Wednesdays to CBD Sundays.
HISTORY
The Tree House quietly opened its doors on July 17, 2020, after three years of planning. Owned by an Eastside local, The Tree House is equipped with an elevated but accessible urban vibe that is aspirational for surrounding businesses. As one customer remarked, “The Tree House is a breath of fresh air around here.” Although COVID-19 restrictions put a damper on having a grand opening, the store has quickly become a hotspot due to its prime location, vibe and dedication to serving its remarkably diverse customers.
BUDTENDERS
The majority of The Tree House’s 10 budtenders migrated to the Eastside from other Anchorage dispensaries, so they all come with a wealth of knowledge and previous experience. They are also Cannabis connoisseurs and are excited to help guide newbies to the right products for their individual needs. Their high level of professionalism mixed with their passion for Cannabis results in supremely satisfied, loyal customers. One could say that The Tree House is Anchorage’s dispensary version of Cheers.
341 BONIFACE PARKWAY #D, ANCHORAGE (907) 229-2284 THETREEHOUSEAK.COM @THETREEHOUSEAK MON.-FRI. 8AM-MIDNIGHT SAT./SUN. 10AM-MIDNIGHT
Situated in the heart of one of Muldoon’s up-and-coming neighborhoods, The Tree House is perfectly tailored to its diverse customer base. As an added bonus, this brand new dispensary is flanked by small, mom and pop restaurants and even a gas station, making it the perfect grab-and-go for Anchorage’s Eastsiders.
TREE HOUSE
GROWN BY
SMOKING JOE’S TERPS
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CLEMENTINE
LET’S FACE IT, WE COULD ALL USE A TROPICAL VACATION RIGHT NOW. BUT UNTIL WE’RE OUT OF THIS DUMPSTER FIRE OF A YEAR, WE’D RECOMMEND CRANKING UP THE THERMOSTAT, THROWING ON YOUR FAVORITE BOARD SHORTS AND DIPPING INTO THE LATEST HYBRID STRAIN TO COME OUT OF SMOKING JOE’S TERPS – QUEEN BANANA CLEMENTINE.
Highlighted by its bright yellow-green color, the bud structure looks like it would be a heavy-hitting indica. Yet, the real treasure is hidden inside. Upon breaking open a nug, you’ll notice the flower’s almost quartz geode-like appearance, which is packed full of trichomes that sparkle and shine like Edward Cullen in the sun.
This bud delivers an unmistakable banana scent on the first inspection; however, a longer whiff will reveal an aromatic profile that is more tropical than a real banana.
Cannabis connoisseurs may also detect the citrus notes from the
QUEEN BANANA Clementine strain and subtle hints of pepper that fill the senses when you inhale deeply. Not only is Queen Banana Clementine a treasure to smell, but an absolute dream to smoke. Don’t let this hybrid’s delightful aroma fool you – it packs some major punch! After the first spark of your lighter, its effects creep over your face and wrap your head in a warm fuzzy balaclava of royal bliss, eventually dropping into your chest. Just like Queen Banana Clementine’s incredible scent, the bud’s three primary terpenes make for a great, multi-layered smoking experience. Not surprisingly, the smoke is also astonishingly smooth and pleasant. With a THC content of 25.8 percent, the Queen has enough sativa to keep you active and focused, with a nice CLEMENTINE indica finish that you can feel in your bones. Simply put, one toke and you will have found your own personal, tropicallaced nirvana. 25.8% THC | Stoney Indica Hybrid
CANNABIS CULTURE. CANNABIS CULTURE.
Together, those two words encapsulate an encouraging phenomenon – the idea that a plant can inform identity, binding individuals to one another. But that’s what Cannabis does. It inspires the mind and spirit of those who invite its synergistic qualities into their bodies, and by doing so, sows the seeds of lifestyle. Within the evolution of modern human history, Cannabis influence has woven into the fabric of our shared existence in a myriad of ways:
The saxophonist improvising rich, sultry notes in sweaty underground jazz clubs. Rasta mystics channeling a higher level of spirituality. The Beat poet hammering out the essence of America on the keys of an Underwood typewriter. Tie-dyed miracle seekers smiling brightly outside of a show with a finger held high. Good parents slyly sipping on a vape pen. Entrepreneurs evaluating a pitch to fund their startup over a pre-roll. Grandma slathering medicated lotion on arthritic joints, savoring an infused chocolate.
Cannabis is the touchstone, the common thread that stitches the tapestry together. It’s the flag.
So, then, how do you define Cannabis culture?
Perhaps it’s not typical of any one type of person or distinct aesthetic. Its mystery is not delineated by socioeconomic status, skin color or geographical region. We all know what it is not. It’s what it is that stretches the barriers of our imaginations and escapes the dogma of definition.
Cannabis culture is defined by the tribe who prescribe and imbibe. It’s a community of seekers reaching for an unconventional connection that swirls in the ether outside the periphery of conformity. They are not easily fooled, are wise to propaganda and weary of carpetbagging capitalists with steely smiles.
We are on the precipice of an overwhelming shift and the momentum is palpable. Cannabis is essential and so are the people who apply it to their lives and improve their precious time on this planet.
We are at the epicenter of a movement, blasting through the atmosphere like a rocket to the sun, staring down the inevitable collision of rainbow supernova proportions into a massive collective spiritual awakening. All around this plant.
It’s a community of seekers reaching for an unconventional connection that swirls in the ether outside the periphery of conformity.
We all inherently understand where we are and what we are, but Cannabis allows us to better understand and express who we are. It helps all of us seekers on our quest for deeper meaning and stronger connection.
In this issue, the Leaf staff have humbly extracted the indispensable intricacies of Cannabis culture into a sticky concentrate for your consumption. Please enjoy.
ART FOOD MUSIC GLASS ICONS SPORTS SOCIAL CELEBS GIFTS
HUNTER S. THOMPSON
“I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And
I still think of it as a basic staple of life, along with beer and ice and grapefruits – and millions of Americans agree with me.” BROWNIE MARY “I’m not a criminal. I did nothing wrong. I was helping my kids. We desperately need medical marijuana in this country.” DAVE
CHAPPELLE
“I don’t do drugs, though. Just weed.” B-REAL
“Like Louis
Armstrong played the trumpet,
I’ll hit that bong and break you off somethin’ soon.”
JOE ROGAN “If you lock someone up for smoking a plant that makes them happy, you’re the fucking criminal.”
LOUIS
DOUG BENSON “A message to parents who CARLOS SANTANA “Legalize marijuana and take all that money and invest it in teachers and in education. You will see a transformation in America.” BILL MURRAY “I find it quite ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.” ARMSTRONG “We always looked at pot as a sort of medicine, a cheap drunk and with much better thoughts than one that’s full of liquor.” think legalizing weed will make their kids want to try it: They will anyway.” 25 CANNABIS CULTURE
WHOOPI GOLDBERG “The vape pen has changed my life. No, I’m not exaggerating. In fact, her name is Sippy. Yes, she’s a she. And yes, I named her Sippy because I take tiny, little sips – sassy sips, even – from her. And with each sip comes relief – from pressure, pain, stress, discomfort.” ICONS icons IN THEIR OWN WORDS
ZACK GALIFIANAKIS “I don’t know what my assistant would do besides get me pot.”
SARAH SILVERMAN “I’d have to be honest: I have contempt for pretty much every drug other than pot. I find drunk people gross. Most people with more than one drink in them aren’t giggly, goofy and happy the way people are with a puff of pot smoke in them. At a party, I have so much fun stoned, flitting about -– but once I sniff that first wave of drunkenness on someone, I’m out of there.”
SETH ROGEN
“Yes, I have a medical marijuana prescription, personally. I went in, and they said, ‘What do you need it for?’ And I said, ‘I have a very specific ailment – it’s called, I ain’t got no weed on me right now.’”
SNOOP DOGG “Can we get a muthafuckin’ moment of silence for this small chronic break?” CARL SAGAN
“The illegality of Cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.” JIMI HENDRIX
“Please pass me the peace weed, and take some heed.
Throw away all that mixed up speed.” BOB MARLEY
“I feel so high,
I even touch the sky /
Above the falling rain ... I got to have kaya now.”
JACK KEROUAC “I smoked more grass than anyone you ever knew in your life.”
MARTHA
STEWART
“Of course I know how to roll a joint.” MORGAN
FREEMAN
“I have fibromyalgia pain ... and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana.”
LIL WAYNE
“I love weed so much
I tried to marry Juana.” TOMMY CHONG “You can smoke marijuana, you can eat it, you can wear it, it’s a perfect plant!”
WILLIE NELSON “The biggest killer on the planet is stress, and I still think the best medicine is and always has been Cannabis.” SHAGGY (SCOOBY DOO) “Like wow, my favorite! A double triple decker sardine and marshmallow fudge sandwich.”
WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS
“Unquestionably, this drug is very useful to the artist, activating trains of association that would otherwise be inaccessible, and I owe many of the scenes in
Naked Lunch directly to the use of Cannabis.”
MUSIC MUSIC
As long as music has existed, so has the relationship between its creators and their preference of muse-inspiring consumption.
We can start way back with Louis Armstrong – one of Jazz’s most influential artists, Armstrong was a household name for his genius on the trumpet spanning five decades from the 1920s to 1960s. He also used those huge lungs to inhale Cannabis between blowing out notes. Arrested outside the Los Angeles Cotton Club in 1930 for smoking a joint – reportedly laughing the night in jail away – Armstrong had no clue “what a wonderful world” was yet to come for Cannabis.
As Armstrong’s last notes trilled into the ether, Jamaica was about to introduce the world to another Cannabis legend - Bob Marley. A true icon in the culture of Cannabis, Marley smoked partly due to his deep religious Rastafarian beliefs. ‘Ganja’ is a Rastafarian word taken from the Sanskrit language for marijuana, and on the song “Ganja Gun,” the lyrics lay out his deep love and respect for the medicine. Marley’s likeness continues to grace grinders, bongs, pipes and the Marley Natural brand, with his timeless music ringing throughout every storefront.
Another artist you’re likely to hear banging from your dispensary’s speakers is the mighty Black Sabbath. Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath are pioneers of metal and stoner rock. Infamous for both their sound and reputation, Sabbath cemented fear in the hearts of parents around the world when they released their third studio album “Master of Reality” with the ode to Cannabis “Sweet Leaf,” starting with a rhythmic loop of Ozzy and guitarist Tony Iommi coughing from a joint, continued by a Cannabis love letter in musical form.
Then there’s Willie Nelson, a man who truly adores our beloved plant and has written numerous classics on the topic. Nelson’s blend of authentic country sound and an outlaw’s attitude earned him worldwide fame.
He smuggled his sound across the borders of genre, and continues to light up a style of music that usually doesn’t see much cultural crossover. Willie cashed the cigarettes and booze in 1978, when four fights with pneumonia - and a self-awareness of not being a kind drunk - turned Cannabis into his one true love. These days, his Willie’s Reserve brand of Cannabis is available across the country.
From Then ‘Til Now:
Music and Marijuana
We can see that Cannabis has shifted from underground
Next we pass the pipe to Snoop Dogg – perhaps the only man to claim whispers and innuendo innuendo to mainstream acceptability. A modern-day example of this crossover is to have smoked 81 blunts in a day to mainstream Margo Price. Born in Illinois and based and be believed. An artist, advocate and entrepreneur, Snoop helped pave the way for other celebrities to come acceptability in the arts. in Nashville, Price is currently one of country’s biggest rising stars. Grammy nominated in 2019, Margo came out as forth with their own Cannabis use. a Cannabis user stating that “some muFrom his albums, to his Snoop Dogg Pounds glass sicians want to sell clothes on the Home Shopping line, to the Cannabis company Leafs by Snoop,this Network, but I want to sell weed.” Price would do titan of toking shows no signs of slowing down. just that with her All American Made line support-
Much thanks to Snoop, we find the evolution of ed by Willie’s Reserve. Price’s alignment with Nelopen lyricism about Cannabis in the music of Wiz son not only brought extra attention to her music, Khalifa. Hailing from North Dakota, Wiz has been but also bolstered her counterculture image as a burning through charts and Cannabis. Releasing pioneer in the Cannabis field. records with infused titles like “Kush and Orange With each generation of artists, the public’s Juice” and “Rolling Papers,” Wiz squashes the embrace of Cannabis progresses like the notes in stigma of lighting up. Another entrepreneur in both a scale. Today, we have the legends of yesterday industries, Wiz has launched Khalifa Kush and his collaborating on music and Cannabusiness with own rolling paper collab with RAW. the next class of hitmakers.
Over the years, Cannabis representation in the There’s no telling what the green muse will arts has shifted from underground whispers and inspire in the generations to come.
Mark Whalen’s “Ok Okay” vinyls Brain Heart displays by Emilio Garcia with chairs by Takashi Murakami
High Art High Art Drew Degen | Q&A Mile High Gallery
From vinyl toys to canvas paintings, high-end glass art to recycled tables crafted out of skateboards, Mile High Gallery has it all. We were lucky enough to pick owner Drew Degen’s brain a bit for our December Culture Issue, gaining insight into the underground art scene world and how Cannabis has influenced these rebellious pioneers. With art curators like himself, we hope that both street art and Cannabis will become more widely appreciated and accepted. Visit Mile High Gallery’s Instagram page, where Drew steadily adds art on the daily.
“Nebula Panther” by Adam G and Buck @sweaterkingpin @buckglass
WHAT PARALLELS DO YOU SEE IN CANNABIS AND THE UNDERGROUND STREET ART CULTURE? Both Cannabis and street art are still illegal in most places worldwide, but are still a positive part of the daily lives of millions of people. Growing up, both of these subjects were frowned upon, but the overall public opinion on both of these subjects over the past two decades has changed dramatically in a positive direction. Colorado played a big part in doing this because it was one of the first states to legalize recreational back in 2012 – and we also have one of the largest underground art scenes currently. Only two years before legalization, the first Crush Walls event occurred. Crush Walls is a counterculture graffiti-based event which takes place annually in Denver. Crush Walls focuses on creative expression and has hosted iconic artists like Shepard Fairey, Cryptik, Hoxxoh, Elmac and many more. HOW DO YOU FIND THAT CANNABIS INFLUENCES ARTISTS TO PUSH THEIR BOUNDARIES AND THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX? Cannabis has incentivized creativity in humans and artists for thousands of years. From cave art to the emergence of graffiti as a counterculture art form in the 1960s, it’s common to find Cannabis as a collaborating partner. It’s scientifically proven that Cannabis can make you more creative – it increases cerebral blood flow to the brain’s frontal lobe – which is directly linked to creativity.
HOW ARE ARTISTS INFLUENCING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? Cannabis and art go hand in hand. Some of the most notable artists in the world have shaped their careers off using Cannabis, whether it’s musical artists from Willie Nelson and Bob Marley portraying their lyrics about how Cannabis helps them, to painters like Alex Grey directly depicting the plant. Not only does Cannabis influence artists, but artists also influence the Cannabis community greatly. I often see Cannabis companies using art directly on their products and packaging to look more attractive and to pertain to the common Cannabis user, who most likely appreciates art too. This is a direct correlation between artists and the Cannabis community. I’ve been noticing that more muralists are getting hired to paint public spaces, including the walls on the exterior and interior of Cannabis dispensaries and headshops.
