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SUSTAINABILITY around the nation News 8-10 how cannabis helps for the pain of lupus Profile 16

ISSUE 23

remembering canna-activist dennis peron Highly Likely 24 three delicious st.potrick’s day desserts Recipes 32 show us your best pot-ography Budshot 54

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contents

MARCH 2018

16 PATIENT PROFILE

Nina Veysey uses Cannabis for Lupus

CHENA CANNABIS

North Pole Cannabis shop and garden

BUDSHOT Send us your best pot-ography

Blue Gorilla strain growing at Aurora Blaze in Fairbanks

SUSTAINABILITY

Special Issue pg. 40-53

Stories by Alaska Leaf staf f and contributors | Photos by Daniel Berman

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Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note National News Alaska Update Patient Profile Chena Cannabis Activist Dennis Peron Strain of the Month Tasty Recipes Glass Art Book Review The Sustainability Issue Aurora Blaze Big Leaf Alaska Sustainable Alaska Dragonfly Earth Medicine Sustainable Branding Buddy Boy Farm Puffin Farm Budshot

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St. Potrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

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ALASKA LEAF

the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.

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CONTRIBUTORS STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS SIMONE FISCHER, HEALTH & SCIENCE DR. SCANDERSON, GROWTECH DR. SCOTT D. ROSE, HEALTH ALIZA SHERMAN, FEATURES PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES BRANDON VOSIKA, ILLUSTRATION LAURIE & BRUCE WOLF, RECIPES NATE WILLIAMS, PRODUCTION ANNIKA WOLTERS, EDITING

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MAR. 2018 ISSUE #23

Thanks for picking up the latest Alaska Leaf! our first-ever Sustainability issue takes an inside look at how Cannabis companies in Alaska, Washington and Oregon are working to stay sustainable in the Cannabis industry.

Sustainability means a healthy marketplace as much as it does reducing the carbon footprint of the Cannabis world. The current supply and demand situation makes for an unstable marketplace in Alaska, causes rapid growth for some companies while others have taken the slow and steady approach. Here at Alaska Leaf, we want to see everyone succeed in the new retail marketplace, and for consumers to win as price points get lower. Our biggest goal for the future of the Alaskan Cannabis marketplace is to find a balance between craft and quality: small and large agricultural scale in a form that benefits businesses and consumers. The future of every Cannabis business in Alaska should be focused on efficiency, branding and strategy to be sustainable when the price of pot is cut by 50 to 60 percent. If a company can compete at $2,000 a pound wholesale and win at $3,000 a pound, they will succeed. But the same goes for failure. If a business model needs $3 per gram to survive, even a $0.25 loss per gram will cause eventual failure. We encourage everyone to look at their business models from a sustainability standpoint, and to work hard to refine that model for the future. I hope you enjoy this issue and all it represents. Each company we’ve featured risked investment, energy and time to make a brand or product that is sustainable, just as we here at the magazine spent time working to find advertisers and supporters to make our model sustainable. It is an honor to publish the Leaf each month and serve this amazing emerging industry, and I want to thank everyone who reads, advertises or supports our model of free Cannabis journalism. Together we can help to make the industry, and world, a better place.

EACH COMPANY WE’VE FEATURED RISKED INVESTMENT, ENERGY AND TIME TO MAKE A BRAND OR PRODUCT THAT IS SUSTAINABLE, JUST AS WE HERE AT THE MAGAZINE SPENT TIME WORKING TO FIND ADVERTISERS AND SUPPORTERS TO MAKE OUR MODEL SUSTAINABLE.

—Wes Abney Mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

national

STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion.

U.S. Attorney says Oregon produces 3 times more weed than it can legally consume Alaska’s Marijuana Tax Revenue Reaches $4.5 Million for 2018

Now that Attorney General Jeff Sessions has given more discretion to U.S. attorneys when it comes to marijuana enforcement, some of them are making worrisome statements. Take U.S. Attorney Billy Williams of Oregon, who is now saying Oregon’s Cannabis industry has a “massive” overproduction problem. Williams in February told a summit of law enforcement and Cannabis industry representatives that he wants to do something about the amount of Oregon weed that ends up on the black market. The state produces about three times more pot than can legally be consumed, according to former Oregon State University Professor Seth Crawford. “Make no mistake about it, we are going to do something about it,” Williams said during the summit. The summit was called due to Sessions rescinding Obama-era guidance that adopted a hands-off policy for federal enforcement in states that have legalized Cannabis. “Here’s what I know in terms of the landscape here in Oregon, and that is, we have an identifiable and formidable marijuana overproduction and diversion problem,” Williams said. Williams, in an editorial written for The Oregonian, wrote 16 states had reported Cannabis seizures from Oregon. According to Williams, 2,644 pounds of marijuana in outbound parcels was seized by Oregon postal agents in 2017.

WE HAVE AN IDENTIFIABLE AND FORMIDABLE MARIJUANA OVERPRODUCTION AND DIVERSION PROBLEM.

Bill Introduced in ALASKA To Seal Past Cannabis Convictions Senator Tom Begich introduced a bill, SB 184, to seal the convictions of past marijuana possession offenders in Alaska. The bill prohibits the release of past records

8/MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

The state of Alaska collected more than $4.5 million in marijuana tax collections in almost six months of fiscal year 2018, according to the Alaska Department of Revenue. This number is almost three times higher than collections for the entire fiscal year 2017. Taxes are levied at $50 for every ounce of flower, and $15 for every ounce of trim. From July to December 2017, cultivators paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in excise tax every month. The number of total tax revenue reached $953,591 in October. After the state started collecting Cannabis tax in October 2016, the total revenue for fiscal year 2017 came to $1.7 million. When Alaska first started collecting marijuana taxes, there were only four taxpayers affected in the state. By the end of fiscal year 2017, that number had grown to 44. There are now 82 cultivators in Alaska who work with retailers. More than 50 license applications are pending review by the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office.

for any Cannabis offense that is no longer defined as a crime under Alaska law. Its intent is to reduce barriers to employment who have been convicted for low-level possession that would today be legal. Those with criminal marijuana convictions often are denied opportunities in the workplace and elsewhere. “We should not continue to punish individuals whose actions are no longer defined as criminal under Alaska’s state law,” commented Alaska National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Legalization (NORML).

Quoted

Willie Nelson’s Cannabis Empire Raises $12 Million and Enters California Not only is 84-year-old Willie Nelson still outdoors “by independent farmers in in the music business, his Cannabis states where Cannabis is legal,” according brand is a big hit, too. Nelson’s Cannabis to the company. company, Willie’s Reserve, just raised “I’m glad a lot of these guys can come $12 million to fund expansion. His brand out of the shadows, back into the sunlight,” of weed plans to enter the Nelson said. “Cannabis California market this year. is creating some good CANNABIS “Willie has been a opportunities for American IS CREATING defender of cannabis and farmers.” SOME GOOD people’s individual rights Willie’s Reserve will be for pretty much as long as OPPORTUNITIES releasing new products in he’s been making music,” Al FOR AMERICAN February, including strains Foreman said, a partner at of packaged flower and FARMERS. Tuatara Capital, an investor. ready-rolls in a variety of Amidst the excitement over California “terpene-rich strains.” Nelson’s wife, rolling out retail sales, Willie’s brand Annie, will also expand her product line, plans to launch a new product line Annie’s Edibles. The brand’s wholesourced from earth-friendly, sun-grown plant infused chocolates will reach retail marijuana. The craft Cannabis is grown outlets for the first time in Colorado.

“THERE WAS NO REASON WHY HE SHOULD HAVE ENDURED SEVEN YEARS OF PRETRIAL INCARCERATION FOR A ONE-WEEK TRIAL. THINGS LIKE THIS AREN’T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.” — ATTORNEY GARY STEIN, on the U.S. Appeals Court’s handling of Joseph Tigano’s case. The man waited 7 years in jail for trial.

Quick Hits! $4.5 million collected in marijuana tax by the state of Alaska in the first half of 2018 fiscal years. This number is almost three times higher than collections for the entire 2017 fiscal year.

$7 2,644

the average retail price for a gram of recreational marijuana in Oregon, compared to $10 a few months ago.

pounds of marijuana in outbound parcels was seized by Oregon postal agents in 2017.

MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

political update

By ALIZA SHERMAN for ALASKA LEAF | ILLUSTRATION by BRANDON VOSIKA

CANNABIS LEGALIZATION NEWS AROUND ALASKA

MARCH

UPCOMING AMCB MEETING 9 a.m. April 4-6 The Aurora Inn Nome, AK

ALASKA REVENUES FROM CANNABIS DROPPING

In October 2017, sales of bud and raw flower generated nearly $1 million in tax revenue. November saw a dip in sales taxes down to about $870,000. December numbers came in at $784,176 from 70 cultivators. The trend may reflect the shift in a greater consumer interest in manufactured Cannabis products including edibles and concentrates. Cultivators pay $50 per ounce in taxes for bud while paying only $15 per ounce in taxes for leaves and stems—known as “trim”—the portion of the plant used for producing edibles. January sales tax revenue numbers were not available at press time. Currently, there are 12 cultivators in Anchorage, 15 in Fairbanks and five in Soldotna. The rest of Alaska’s cultivators are dispersed across 20 other communities. MORE TIME TO GET A MARIJUANA HANDLER’S PERMIT

The Anchorage office for the Alaska Marijuana Control Office expanded the days it processes Marijuana Handler Permits for walk-ins to now be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The change provides individuals interested in working in the legal Cannabis industry with more options for obtaining the required card. The Fairbanks office will continue processing walk-ins on Wednesdays only from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fairbanks had five stores in operation with several licenses waiting on certificates of occupancy and one awaiting a hearing.

C A P O N FA I R B A N K S M A R I J UA N A S TO R E S

A proposed ordinance in Fairbanks limiting the number of marijuana retail stores to 12 was one of two ordinances up for public comment at the end of February. Fairbanks had five stores in operation with several licenses waiting on certificates of occupancy and one awaiting a hearing from the Alaska Marijuana Control Office. The majority of testimony at the meeting was against the ordinance. There were more than 20 supporters and opponents of the ordinance speaking out. A vote by the city council on the ordinance has been postponed until May. H E M P L E G A L I Z AT I O N I N A L A S K A

In the middle of February, the Alaska House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 6, legalizing industrial hemp in the state. The bill also establishes a pilot program for growing and producing hemp. Senator Shelley Hughes introduced the bill. The bill defines hemp as containing less than 0.3 percent of THC, the psychoactive compound contained within Cannabis plants. The bill also separates industrial hemp from regulated Cannabis and so removes more restricting regulations. If Governor Bill Walker signs the bill, farmers could begin growing hemp in Alaska by 2019. Farmers cited an interest in growing hemp to more affordably feed livestock. CANNABIS INDUSTRY GROWTH IN RURAL ALASKA

Alaska communities, apart from the larger cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks, are benefiting from the legal Cannabis industry despite challenges ranging from banking to transportation and navigating local regulations. Sitka has three licensed cultivation facilities and three retailers. The three retailers alone paid $116,000 in local sales taxes last year, as well as a $5,000 annual licensing fee, according to a story on KCAW. Other rural Alaska communities with legal marijuana retail stores include Ketchikan, Petersburg and Skagway.

12/MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

This is a marijuana product. Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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pATIENT Profile

By SIMONE FISCHER | PHOTO by @BERMANPHOTOS

How Cannabis helps for Lupus In

2005, Nina Renee Veysey was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Veysey was experiencing chronic pain due to her immune system attacking itself causing inflammation and skin irritation. Only four years later, Veysey was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2009. She visited Portland for vacation in 2013. Eleven months later she was an official Oregon resident and became a patient shortly after. Veysey moved from sunny Florida to Oregon in order to dramatically change her health. “I was on steroids for ten years before I started using full-extract Cannabis oil. I only experienced temporary relief with steroids and pills, plus it takes a few days to build up and work, so you’re still in pain most of the time. Compared to cannabis, where relief happens almost instantly. It’s a headache dealing with pharmaceuticals, and the prescriptions only cause other issues and side effects.” She said the stress of constantly dealing with multiple autoimmune diseases—all while raising children—was a major source of her flare-ups. Once her children grew up, she could focus on her health and self care. “Both diet and Cannabis have played a huge role in my recovery. I didn’t only move out here for the good weed and Cannabis oil, but also the food and lifestyle. When I eat organic Oregon-grown fruits and veggies, I started feeling so much better. I didn’t have access,” Veysey said. Diet plays a pivotal role in recovery and general maintenance and function when dealing with an autoimmune disease. A poor diet consisting of refined sugars and carbohydrates only invites pain and inflammation into the body, especially when dealing with chronic illness.

How she uses Cannabis “First, I start out with a 1:1 (THC to CBD) dose of full-extract Cannabis oil in morning and medicate with dabs throughout the day. At night it’s a heavy, sedating strain of full-extract Cannabis oil before I go to bed so I can sleep through the night. Basically, I use full-extract oil for long-term pain control and dabs when I need immediate relief. I am a big fan of CBD dabs to control inflammation during flare-ups. My favorite CBD strain to dab is Critical Mass. I also enjoy Frank’s Gift and Pennywise CBD varieties. When it comes to THC,

16/mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Fed up with the pill and opioid epidemic in her native Florida, Nina relocated to Oregon to become an official OMMP patient and resident. She uses Cannabis to treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases which cause a great deal of chronic pain and inflammation, so far without a complete cure.

Nina Renee Veysey I love my Dawgwalker and Scooby Snacks from Doghouse Farms when I need pain relief.” Full-extract oil is a common go-to for patients dealing with chronic diseases. For those who don’t wish to consume Cannabis through combustion, Veysey recommends using topicals like Golden Organics with THCA oil. “Topicals with THCA work best when trying to control my lupus flare-ups. I like topical salves over the transdermal patches, because I can put salve directly on my joints where it’s hurting. I used to use topical for fibromyalgia back when I would be sore to the touch. Since I started using Cannabis oil, my fibromyalgia is almost non-existent. However, I still routinely deal with lupus.” Not only has Oregon-grown Cannabis and produce reinvigorated Veysey’s health, but it also gave her career options. “A job in Cannabis helps me reclaim my independence. I work for Doghouse Farms and I am lucky to have understanding employers. During lupus flares, they give me the time I need. No guilt trips or drama,” Veysey said. Many of the patients I interview often end up

“Topicals with THCA work best when trying to control my lupus flare-ups... I can put salve directly on my joints where it’s hurting.”

working in the Cannabis industry because their Cannabis consumption isn’t frowned upon. Access to a decent, livable wage often requires a drug screening which puts patients in a serious bind between choosing their health or their livelihoods. “I know a lot of lupus patients feel like there is no hope because you have to take all these medications all the time. Plus, you’re dealing with other symptoms from the medications so it gets really stressful,” Veysey said. “I suggest [people] do their own research and give Cannabis a try. It might not work for everyone, but I know people with lupus and fibromyalgia might find relief in Cannabis as a natural treatment option.”

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FEATURE

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

Visiting a family Cannabis garden and dispensary on the edge of the North Pole

20/mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

CHENA CANNABIS

CHENA CANNABIS 1725 Richardson Hwy, North Pole, AK (907) 488-0489 Facebook.com/ChenaAK

Brandon & Sherry Gilbert

THIS FAMILY-OWNED Cannabis operation on the edge of the North Pole is changing the stigma by combining two worlds to create a sustainable vertically integrated operation.

proach the use of medical Cannabis, especially at an age before the recreational law allows consumption. For Sherry, seeing the relief it gave her son combined with the rise in opiate issues in Alaska made it a logical if not easy choice. “Once he began using medicinally I was fine with it,” Sherry said, giving her son a parental look. “I have seen that pharmaceuticals don’t help Brandon’s pain. When I first started in corrections it was Chena Cannabis cofounders Sherry Gilbert and her son, Brandon rare to find a needle on someone in intake. When I left just a few Gilbert, began working on the idea for a dispensary and garden years ago, it had become rare not to find one.” soon after legalization passed in Alaska. The only snag was Sherry’s Recognizing that opiates don’t help Brandon’s condition, and seeposition at the time: an officer in Alaska’s Department of Correcing the effect they’ve had on the community, growing and providing tions. But as her son was exploring the world of medical Cannabis, access to Cannabis became an easy decision. Brandon designed the duo built a business founded on family and medicinal values, the entire grow facility himself, and built the dispensary with a small with a unique perspective from inside the law enforcement world. team of friends. The dispensary is a friendly storefront with a classy “I worked for the state of Alaska for 17 years as a corrections look inside that is comfortable and nicely laid out. With a focus on officer and they said I couldn’t do both [legal Cannabis and the providing knowledgeable budtending and pricing, they also hope to job], that they’d revoke my Alaska Police Standards help provide access to the city of North Pole, which Certificate,” Sherry said. has a moratorium in place for Cannabis. THE DISPENSARY IS A “I was a booking officer for most of my career, “We focus on what the plant wants and helping FRIENDLY STOREFRONT and 99 percent were drunk. I wasn’t allowed to them flourish in the garden. And then we get to use Cannabis, and the people that did come in for help people a lot better with our in-house strains, WITH A CLASSY LOOK INSIDE Cannabis were never a problem. I wasn’t against with pricing, but also hearing what people want THAT’S COMFORTABLE AND it being legal other than for our youth, but adults and need and redirecting what we are growing to NICELY LAID OUT. should be able to make their own choice.” their needs,” Brandon said. “We have a great cusFor the Gilbert family, that choice began when tomer base and we do have a North Pole zip code, Brandon was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the result of a but we are right outside the city, which is really nice.” rheumatic fever at 18 years old. A heavy equipment operator and The cultivation side of the business is built into a renovated stormechanic, the arthritis brought pain and discomfort at best and age facility, making for a tightly organized grow operation that is a heavy pain during flare ups. series of rooms converted for growing. With the seasonal changes “That’s when I started looking at this as medicine,” Brandon said. in weather and environment, the grow team has had to adapt and “I started growing and trying to find strains that helped my condirefine the model—a process that has led to a really solid grow faciltion, waking up every hour of the night with joint pain. Cannabis ity, and a sustainable vertically integrated Cannabis model. has changed all of that. Especially in the cold my bones start aching “The environmental factors have been the biggest battle I have and getting stiff, and when I use Cannabis I get 95 to 99 percent ever faced in my life,” Brandon said passionately. relief of my pain.” “You got to improvise on your toes like no other. But it was aweWhile Brandon’s friend group and the town of Fairbanks has alsome to figure this out. To know that I could help myself and spread ways been Cannabis friendly, the family had to decide how to apthe love while helping others, it’s definitely a good feeling.”

mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

/21

highly likely

By PACER STACKTRAIN for ALASKA LEAF

Column # 23

Highlighting amazing Cannabis pioneers who helped pave the way to greater herbal acceptance.

DENNIS PERON (1946-2018)

What they’re trying to do is separate us by saying there’s people having fun and THEN there’s people medicating. But people who use marijuana don’t get ‘high,’ they get normal.

24/mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

The modern medical Cannabis movement lost one of its greatest champions when Dennis Peron passed away. It’s safe to say that without his efforts, the current heyday we’re experiencing wouldn’t be possible. Peron worked tirelessly to normalize and legalize the plant. Peron was born in New York, but after serving in the military, he attended San Francisco City College on the G.I. bill. On the side, he sold Cannabis. Eventually, Cannabis became more than a hobby for Peron, who started to recognize the non-recreational benefits to the plant. Around this time, he became friends with activists such as Harvey Milk, the future mayor of San Francisco, and longtime Cannabis advocate Jack Herer. In the late 1970s he started selling Cannabis clandestinely in an actual storefront out of what was known as the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club. By 1991, he’d founded it as the first public Cannabis dispensary—all this at the height of the U.S. Drug War in California. Peron was a true medical Cannabis crusader, a person that fought for its palliative usage—and he did not accept any recreational value in Cannabis, saying that anyone using it was using it as medicine. “They’re trying to shift it from medical to recreational. I personally don’t even know what ‘recreational’ marijuana is. There is no recreational marijuana. They made it up,” Peron said. What they’re trying to do is separate us by saying there’s people having fun and there’s people medicating. But people who use marijuana don’t get high, they get normal. PERON WAS A TRUE MEDICAL CANNABIS CRUSADER, The government is trying to say that A PERSON THAT FOUGHT FOR ITS PALLIATIVE USAGE, people are getting high. They’re to demonize these people SAYING THAT ALL WHO USED IT DID SO MEDICINALLY. trying because they’re having fun.” For Peron, the main medical reason his patients came to the club were symptoms related to AIDS. But over time, more patients with an array of other diseases joined the fold. Peron responded to the change he saw in the individuals he treated with a lifetime of activism—eventually culminating in a run for governor of California. Soon after his Cannabis Buyers Club was closed by a state judge in 1998, Peron retired to a farm in the community of Clear Lake, just north of San Francisco. From there, until the end of his life, he grew—and gave away Cannabis to those in need of it for medicinal purposes. Peron was an active opponent of Proposition 64—the legislation that legalized recreational use of Cannabis. He argued that it would hurt small farmers, in favor of big business. “It’s a culture war. Marijuana has always been the symbol of our culture,” he said. Some time after moving to the farm, Peron’s health started to deteriorate, likely due to the Agent Orange he was given in the Vietnam War. At age 72, he died of lung cancer in California on Jan. 27. “No person is more responsible for the legalization of medical marijuana than Dennis,” Dale Gieringer, state coordinator of California National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said. May Dennis rest in peace.

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@BERMANPHOTOS

ruity Pebbles combines the delicious sweetness of the cereal bursting out of a frosty bud that’s begging to be smoked.

Cereal and weed have gone together since the beginning of modern times, and there’s nothing better than a lazy weekend morning with a sugar rush competing with a massive THC high. The Fruity Pebbles strain lets you enjoy this wonderful combination at any time, no milk needed! Covered in frosty trichomes with a light lime green color and whimsical foxtail bud structure, this is truly a top shelf strain. Grown by the team at Arctic Greenery, the cultivation arm behind Chena Cannabis, the flower receives a ton of love and attention in the deepwater culture system. We sampled several flavors from the farm, including Sourdough and a mind numbing White Queen, but the Fruity Pebbles was our favorite for flavor and effects. Opening a jar or bag unleashes a dazzling wave of tropical fruit flavor, with bright notes of berries and a sugary sappy sweetness of epic proportions. This heady, fruity flavor is just like the cereal, slightly mystifying how so much sweetness could be in a bud or bite of breakfast, but we’ve found it’s best not to question nature and to smoke it! The genetics behind Fruity Pebbles are Green Ribbon, Granddaddy Purple and Tahoe Alien, which combine for a hybrid experience that leans slightly toward indica. Ripping a bowl of the flower delivers an instant euphoria, as quickly as the sweet flavors of berries and tropical flowers leave the palate on exhale. Rushing to the mind before melting into the body, an intense high that lasts for several hours builds after several big tokes. Great for stress or to celebrate a good chena day, and especially on a lazy cannabis weekend morning, this strain 1725 Richardson Hwy is good for any time of the North Pole, Alaska day with the hybrid blend of happy energy and a strong body high. Look for the Fruity Pebbles from Chena Cannabis, and ask for more of the fire from the Arctic Greenery gardens.

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“the greatest ignorance is to reject something you know nothing about.” This is a marijuana product. Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

recipes

By LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF

Laurie Wolf has been a regular contributor to Northwest Leaf since 2015. Named the “Martha Stewart of Marijuana Edibles” by The New Yorker, Laurie has published four Cannabis cookbooks, contributes to six Cannabis publications and runs Laurie + MaryJane, an award-winning edible company based in Portland, Oregon.

BAKING THE COOKIES 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Pinch salt 6 ounces butter, softened 2 ounces canna butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla Heat oven to 340.

1. In a small bowl, combine

the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

2. In a large bowl, beat the

sugar and butters until smooth. Beat in the egg and the vanilla.

3. Slowly add the dry ingre-

dients and blend. Form the dough into teaspoon size balls. Place on an oiled sheet pan at least two inches apart.

4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool completely before frosting the cookies and allow frosting to set before making the sandwiches.

FILLING & FROSTING 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 ounces canna butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar Green food coloring

1. In the bowl of a food pro-

cessor, combine all the ingredients except the food coloring.

2. When smooth, add food

coloring drop by drop until you reach the desired shade.

3. Spead a couple tablespoons of the mixture on a cookie and top with another cookie. Press together gently and enjoy.

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CANNACOOKIE SANDWICHES

tHIS SCRUMPTIOUS RECIPE SHOWCASES CANNA BUTTER IN THE CREAM CHEESE FILLING AND THE COOKIE TOPS! REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS CUT DOWN ON THE CANNA BUTTER BY USING REGULAR BUTTER. KNOW YOUR DOSE. LESS IS MORE. PRESSED FOR TIME? BUY PREMADE COOKIES AND SKIP THE DOTS. SO EASY.

CREAMY COCONUT

“ POTATOS” 4 ounces canna-butter, softened 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 cups sugar 2 2/3 cups flaked coconut 1/2 cup cocoa or cinnamon

1. In a large mixing bowl or food

processor, combine the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and coconut. Process until smooth. Chill for an hour.

2. Form into small irregular rounds that resemble little potatoes.

Place the cocoa and cinnamon mixture on a flat plate. Roll “potatos” around in the mix to coat fully.

ST. POTRICK’S DAY DESSERTS

WEARING GREEN IS UP TO YOU, but when it comes to eating of the green, we’ve got you covered. I made this canna butter using the strain Irish Cream, an indica-dominant strain that marries perfectly with its uplifting notes of vanilla and caramel. These treats don’t take long to make, and there are lots of shortcuts if you are looking for a faster way to the rainbow. There may not be a pot of gold there, but we can promise you there will be pot, which is good enough for me.

VERY LUCKY CHARMS I like to use more marshmallow than most recipes suggest, it keeps the bars firm and they taste better. And three-quarters of a bag of marshmallows is never a bad thing to have in the house.

Non-stick baking spray 4 tablespoons canna butter 18 ounces marshmallows 6 cups Lucky Charms 16 ounces white chocolate Green food coloring

1. Spray a 9x13 inch pan and set aside. In a large

sauce pan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and heat, while stirring until the marshmallows are almost fully melted. It’s okay to have some small pieces unmelted. Stir in a drop or two of green food coloring, if desired.

2. Add Lucky Charms and stir to melt completely.

Press the mixture into the pan. Allow to set for atleast an hour before cutting into 12 to 16 portion.

In the top of a double boiler, melt the white chocolate. Add green food coloring to reach desired shade. One at a time, dip the bars into the now green chocolate to cover about half of the treat. Dot with your favorite charms. Place on a piece of parchment to set.

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glass art

REVIEW by @NATEW415 | PHOTO by @BERMANPHOTOS

ILLUMINATI GEMINI SAKE BOTTLE

This unique Sake bottle features an intriguing mix of Illuminati, Gemini and Gold and Silver throughout. Artist Aaron Blackburn created the piece in several sections and over the span of about four hours. The piece was crafted in different colors then cut and welded together, adding UV lip wraps and a marble for accent. The piece stands at just shy of 6 inches tall and is the perfect travel companion for all your adventures.

TRILL GLASS 34/mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Presenting Partner

@TRILLGLASS1022

Reviews

By STEVE ELLIOTT Editor, Tokesignals.com

edge of the kingdom

A NOVEL URGING PEOPLE TO LOVE EACH OTHER, DISCOVER THE DIVINE AND EMBRACE POSITIVITY

116 pages | Xlibris.com | 2017 | $19.99 paperback; $29.99 hardcover

ust a year ago, Author William Walker was enjoying his Friday night, smoking a little weed. What happened next, at

least according to Walker’s description, was a divine encounter with God. Walker never had an experience remotely like that before. He believed it was a calling for him to help spread a message. That message can be found in his debut fictional memoir, the genre-defying Edge of the Kingdom: A Mind and Heart Altering Interactive Novel. Walker says he wrote this story to give insight into his experience. He hopes to influence readers to transform their lives into something better, “and help them find God.” God is contained within every person, according to Walker. Only awareness, perhaps fueled by Cannabis use, is necessary to bring God to the forefront, according to the book. The novel urges people to love each other, discover the divine and embrace positivity. The interactive novel also provides suggestions on how the reader can enhance their experience to make them feel as if they are immersed in a movie. Spoiler: he wants you to smoke weed while reading it. “Ultimately, I want to show the world how faith can bring a positive outcome in your life even when it seems like your world is collapsing around you,” Walker said. “I also hope to promote the complete legalization of marijuana in all states.” Walker says his mission is to take an active role in making a positive difference in the world. Part of that is to start a global movement toward a resource-based economy. It is heady stuff, for sure, and not for everyone. But this slim volume will likely prove to be a quick read for those interested in both Cannabis and spirituality.

THE INTERACTIVE NOVEL PROVIDES SUGGESTIONS ON HOW THE READER CAN ENHANCE THEIR EXPERIENCE TO MAKE THEM FEEL AS IF THEY ARE IMMERSED IN A MOVIE.

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SUSTAINABILITY ALASKA LEAF

T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S S U E

How the Northwest Cannabis industry is working for a better future

Intro by Nate Williams

We are proud to offer you our very first issue dedicated to Cannabis sustainability! Cannabis growers made some incredible advancements in production capabilities in the last decade, and it was only recently that we’ve start to see their efficiency capabilities begin to reach the same level of professionalism. Growers are being forced to run leaner in increasingly competitive markets. We’ve taken a closer look at some of the methods our community members took to ensure that we continue to develop more efficient, biologically friendly and sustainable businesses. As we continue to normalize Cannabis and as legalization continues nationwide, we need to focus on setting the bar as high as possible. We do so in the hopes that when entrepreneurs look to model after successful companies in the field, they are the same ones that responsibly grow their businesses.

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Pineapple Chunk growing at Aurora Blaze in Fairbanks

Assistant Grower Jesse Zawadski works in one of the site's seven grow rooms

AuroraBlaze.com

"I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. I always wanted to be able to do this kind of stuff,” Aurora Blaze Facilities Manager Jesse Holzschuh said.

STORY BY WES ABNEY | PHOTOS BY @BERMANPHOTOS

AURORA BLAZE Inside a quiet Fairbanks compound full of warehouses is the LED-powered Cannabis cultivator changing the face of sustainable growing in Alaska.

Aurora Blaze lives up to its name, with a bright wave of

LED lights that dance across spectrums, delivering high efficiency light in a building designed to produce the best Cannabis possible. For Owner Brandon Roybal, the project started as a labor of love after building Alaska Cannabis Cultivators—his first facility nearby. “We were going for efficiency from day one. We knew from looking at other markets that there is an initial bubble in the price due to supply and demand issues, and eventually it reaches saturation and the price of Cannabis goes down,” Roybal said. “A sustainable grow has to be big enough to produce at a low enough price point to make it past the saturation point, and that was our game plan all along.” By focusing on efficiency in all aspects of the operation, Aurora Blaze proves to be sustainable despite difficult factors from the price per pound to the intense weather fluctuations in Fairbanks. “Outdoor it's hard to stay consistent and produce high quality Cannabis in the Fairbanks environment, it's harsh conditions and short summers, so we planned on doing indoor. But going indoor alone doesn’t guarantee success,” Roybal said. “In winter, we can have 70-degree temperature swings that really change the ball game. Drastic heat changes day to day, which brings challenges for keeping the environment stable that most cultivators in other states never have to deal with.” The building Aurora Blaze sits in what was a trucking warehouse that never saw action, as the oil and mining economies slowed down. The bays were perfect for building large grow rooms, and housing all the equipment needed to run a large-scale grow.

Heating is provided through geothermal energy, a major sustainability point, which combined with 13 tons of air conditioning power per room allows the garden to ride through environmental changes. Another unique function of the grow operation is the focus on LED lights, which the team has implemented in a unique and innovative way. “It was definitely a leap of faith, because I had never grown with LEDs. I did my homework and research. We have some of the strongest and most intense lights available,” Roybal said. “We actually light bleached our plants at first, thinking we had to keep them really close to canopy, but we found that because of the efficiency we can pinpoint the exact color spectrum the plant wants, it's like a laser to pinpoint the color spectrum. In order to get that much intensity and spectrum from traditional lights you have to blast them, but that’s not the case with LED, the plants actually absorb more light.” Not only do the LED lights produce more absorbable lumens for the plant, they do it while consuming less energy and creating less heat. “We're able to use each fixture as consuming 750 watts at the bulb but get more coverage than a 1000 watt HPS could, so we have a bigger coverage area with 250 watts less per light, which translates into about 20 to 30% better efficiency,“ he said. “When you factor in the extra heat and other factors the savings really add up, cooling for a garden is normally almost as much of an expense as the lights themselves.” The 15 person team behind Aurora Blaze built a custom rack system for hanging the

Interview | Owner & Founder Brandon Roybal

lights in each room that uses a boat lift winch system to raise and lower the height of the lights over the canopy. Each day the height is adjusted for growth, as is the spectrum of light sent to the plants. The team has pioneered and mastered a light spectrum cycle that changes throughout the growth cycle, giving the plants different blends of reds, blues and greens as they mature into flowering. Looking into the flowering rooms and seeing the finished products heading out for retailers, it’s easy to see that the system is working. Their Frozen Tangerines is one of the best smelling tangie strains we have ever encountered. With bright front notes of citrus and sweet sugar, and a finish that is so sharp and creamy at the same time it smells frozen, this flower has intense flavor and bag appeal. The strain family also includes delicious flavors such as Cotton Candy, Critical Mass CBD, a chocolatey rich Snow White and a musky and stoney Purple Valley OG. With a sustainable model and a small business approach that values the team, customers and retail relationships, the Aurora Blaze model is about more than just growing efficiency. For Brandon, the future success of the business lies in growing the best weed as sustainably as possible and letting the consumers enjoy the benefits. “There's a huge market for craft, boutique Cannabis,” Roybal said. “It will end up being a bunch of little craft gardens and a few of the major producers like this one. We want to make the best product that we can, and get it out to people at a price point they can afford, and get a lot of people stoned and happy.”

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ALASKA LEAF

T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S S U E

BIG LEAF ALASKA

JOHN BANISTER Aurora Blaze manager Big Leaf Alaska general manager

Big Leaf Alaska provides support to several Alaskan Cannabis producers for everything from trimming to general labor. His experience from time working at grows in California and Colorado provide unique insight into how a good trim team can be a gamechanger for companies looking to get sustainable.

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Why does trimming matter in the legal market? For what the product actually costs on the legal market, to have un-manicured bud is not OK. Customers pay top shelf price and cultivators should respect that. Besides, un-manicured bud is not attractive! It’s another step toward getting the customer the best product possible, especially to reflect the higher prices currently in the market.

Q&A BY WES ABNEY | PHOTO BY @BERMANPHOTOS

What type of output can your trimmers do in a day?

The Big Leaf Alaska crew hard at work trimming up Big Bud XXL at Aurora Blaze

How did you get started trimming?

I started going out every year to Willow Creek, California about a decade ago to run their trim crews each harvest season. We had 100 plants on the farm—huge, huge plants. The biggest one I ever saw was 16 feet tall. Normally we would have anywhere from 15 to 25 “trimmigrants” depending on who was coming and going. We lived outside for two months in a tent on a big farm and when you’re younger it’s fun and exciting, but it wears on you after two months in the woods. I quit after six years and took the experience on to Colorado and eventually to Alaska.

It sounds like you have perfected a system for trimming! What are the other benefits of hiring your team and how many companies have you helped so far?

We’ve helped 11 so far, throughout Fairbanks and one in Anchorage. It helps companies be more sustainable and focus on growing, not scheduling, hiring, firing or dealing with crews that don’t show up. We take the headache out of it. We also have quality and care for the bud, and treat it with delicacy, unlike a machine that beats the flower up. We show our bud love!

Are you a good trimmer and do you enjoy it?

I was a good trimmer, able to go in and get a lot of work done. People could hire me instead of a team, I was a one stop shop for them. I got along with everybody too, and made long-lasting relationships everywhere I’ve been.

How did you end up in Alaska?

Eventually I met my fiancé in Colorado, but she was from Anchorage, so we decided to move up here after her spending a year with me. We started AK Carpentry and Big Leaf at the same time, six months after the vote in spring of 2015, and launched both in February 2017. I hired our first six folks, showed up at Alaska Cannabis Cultivators for our first job, and from there it’s continued to grow!

What types of services does Big Leaf provide?

CANNABIS STAFFING AGENCY

Outside of a trimming company I’m a pretty hands-on guy, so I try to go toward more harvest management than just trimming. We come in and mainly we will buck down the plants, they cut the plant and do metric and leave it hanging, we buck it down and continue to trim it until it’s ready for packaging. We do packaging for some facilities, and we operate the knock box and do pre-rolls for people too. We also do inventory for different shops, and can help with general labor too, a pretty round spectrum of help for the Cannabis industry.

My minimum for all employees is a pound a day, most do from 600 to 900 grams a day if they have it ready to trim. For example, five guys go out and they do anywhere from six to eight pounds in a day as a team. The crew leader runs the team, changing scissors, gloves, trim bins, sifting out the weed, so the trimmers can sit there and focus. Time is of the essence and we don’t want trimmers to lose the zone, so crew leaders cater to the trimmers. We start with the big buds and work down to the popcorn buds, seven snips maximum is the goal, and two grams per minute is what everybody is at. It enables us to be efficient and do the best job possible.

What are your goals for the future of Big Leaf?

We take the headache out of it. We care for the bud, and treat it with delicacy, unlike a machine that beats the flower up.

I’m hoping to always have Big Leaf around, and I’m holding out to let some of these cultivators come up to speed where they have the consistency and efficiency of what they want, and the need for service work will come back around. One thing I’ve seen with trimming companies is it’s hard to come in with a company that hasn’t been growing for a long time, because they don’t understand the value of a good team. I hope to be here as long as the industry is here, evolving and helping the industry grow. So far, we have gotten great reviews from our clients and employees, and I hope to have more jobs in the future to help and share the love!

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ALASKA LEAF

T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S S U E

MAKING ALASKAN S CANNABIS SUSTAINABLE With Alaska’s Cannabis industry continuing to experience rapid growth across all sectors, it is more important than ever for regulators and business owners to approach the future with sustainability as the number one goal. OPINION BY WES ABNEY | PHOTO BY @BERMANPHOTOS

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ustainability means having a Allow Onsite Consumption marketplace that works for all It was written into the law, passed by the citizens of the sectors from an economic and state, and will allow for a major stream of revenue for regulatory standpoint and in a retailers in form of tax revenue, and it will take people form that benefits the consumers off the streets when they choose to consume Cannawhose dollars fuel the system. bis. This is essential for the industry, especially as the The initial rollout of Cannabis first major tourist season hits this year for the Cannalegalization was skewed by supply bis industry. Growers and retailers are primed to supand demand issues, which led to ply the nearly two million tourists arriving this spring price points for products that are and summer, but without a place to legally consume, simply not sustainable for the future. Pot is an much of the state’s potential tax revenue will be lost agricultural product, plain and simple. The in smoke. Industry stakeholders and consumers need days of $6,000 pounds wholesale will never to push on the Marijuana Control Board (MCB) to return for Alaskan producers. create a platform for legal consumption to recognize The economics of pot have always been the spirit of the law, respect individual freedoms and slanted by illegality of the product. create a whole new sector of the marketplace for Risk equals reward, and the black market businesses to profit from. price of pot has always been in the thousands of dollars per pound. Looking at mature Cannabis markets such as Washington, Oregon Many retailers and producers are located in areas or Colorado, the price point for Cannabis has only accessible by plane or boat or in the winter dropped as low as $400 a pound for high by flight only. The TSA in different areas has begun quality outdoor, and less than $1,000 per denying the ability of licensed producers to carry on pound for indoor. their legal Cannabis, making transportation virtually While this doesn’t factor Alaska’s tax of impossible for some companies. Last month a retailer $800 per pound levied on the producer, simand a producer had to rent a private plane ply adding the tax value to these to fly a load of legal Cannabis simply to prices would make most Alaskan The economics bring a product to market. cultivators unprofitable. While this might work in the current Pot is going to end up cheap, of pot have always low-supply, high-price market, it is not a because at the end of the day it’s a been slanted by sustainable solution for the future of the plant that grows fairly well wherillegality of the marketplace. Alaska is giant, and faces ever it gets planted. Due to the issues no other Cannabis market does. cost of living and Alaska’s isolated product. If the TSA is going to deny the ability of nature, the price of Cannabis likely producers and retailers to fly products, the MCB and won’t dip below the $10 per gram cost for state regulators need to implement a courier or mailconsumers, but it is heading in that direction ing system for pot to be transported. For every gram quickly. For the system and the state to remain or joint that isn’t allowed to legally be transported, the profitable in the venture, several areas of equivalent is being sold on the black market without sustainability need to be addressed to ensure the tax revenue the state needs desperately. success as the market matures.

Fix Transportation

ALASKA LEAF

T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S S U E

“We are creating community through joining together to represent a certification that is beyond the current organic standard,”

is an intentional action. So, the word “sustainable” describes itself. It sustains. We are looking to change the current ways agriculture is being taught and the light that the Cannabis plant is being held under. We want to be the healthy change and that takes regeneration of the current state of the world and the soil.

What advice would you give to the farms and farmers interested in regenerative agriculture, but don’t know where to start?

STORY BY @710DENCIES | PHOTO BY @BERMANPHOTOS

Dragonfly Earth Medicine Q&A | Owners Kelly & Josh

Dragonfly Earth Medicine makes raw plant based products for humans and their gardens. DEM’s regenerative agricultural approach and nutrients help to revitalize soil biology without the use of animals or animal products.

What originally sparked your interest in organic farming?

We were never interested in anything else. My job growing up in Virginia was to take care of our garden. My Mom never used anything to feed our gardens other than manure and our compost. I dug little holes for our kitchen compost and weeded the garden. My first experiences with Cannabis growing was in Alaska in 1989. There was no way we could carry anything out into the Alaskan bush. Everything was made there. We took to the hills to grow Cannabis in 1999. The hikes were long and mountainous. We carried our food and our son. We learned how to make nutrients and soil out of raw plant material that surrounded our gardens. We harvested nettles and used them all season in fermented teas that we made in garbage containers with irrigation hoses flowing through them. We grew lovely gardens with just nettles and good soil. Those gardens were gorgeous because we swaled them into terraces for tea and nutrient retention in the beds. We had the confidence that Cannabis grows well with a lot of attention and good soil. When we were able to have gardens at home, we continued to carry out the same practices from our past. We did not bring anything into our farm. We grow herbs and biomass for specific minerals and nutrients that we need in our soils. We are almost totally closed loop, with exceptions of using our own company’s nutrients as our teas in our nurseries and as tea inoculants. We also we get a naturally occurring 90 trace mineral supplement to add into our plant teas to raise our bricks reading and ultimately better plant nutrient uptake.

Why is regenerative farming important and how do the DEM products encompass that vision?

Our products have been thought out through years and years of experiments and trials. We use only human grade, organic herbs and the best quality of humic and fulvic acid and biology that the United States has to offer. We research and test every single ingredient that we use in our products,

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just like we would for anything brought onto our farm. We do the work so gardeners and consumers don’t have to. We want everyone not know that if it has hurt name on it, it ifs quality and does not contain organic certifications because they are not a certification that we feel is of high enough quality control.

What does a “DEM Pure” certification entail?

It is a community-run and monitored certification. It is free, so it is impossible to buy into it. You cannot just do a few things and be certified. It is a certification that shows the consumer that that farmer or business goes the extra lengths to grow healthy medicine and businesses through regenerating healthy ideologies and actions. The certification focuses on closed loop practices. These commercial farmers and businesses are living a regenerative lifestyle. They are communing with their soil and plants in a way that is not part of the synthetic commercial or even conventional organic commercial models. We are creating community through joining together to represent a certification that is beyond the current “organic standard” or even third-party organic standards. It can also include all countries and businesses. It is highlighting intentionally cultivated weed and intentionally cultivated businesses around the world. We are everywhere. We are like beneficial mycelium. We can colonize anywhere.

What’s the difference between “sustainable” and “regenerative” agriculture?

We like to believe words are powerful when it comes to intention. Regenerative cultivation

Get a worm farm started and add everything you can to it from your farm. Raise healthy worms. You have to think about what you are feeding your new friends. You will want to feed them healthy materials, and a lot of it. Watching your worms grow and consume your materials and making gorgeous soil that makes your plants thrive is thrilling! Often, we are more likely to take care of someone or something else over ourselves. Maybe the worms will spark inspiration to grow regenerative Cannabis just so you can feed them everything in your facility or on your farm. The rich, amazing castings are just a bonus. This simple act of building worm bins can change the world. Also learn about closed loops and how you can create more on your farms and in your businesses. The new website DEMPurefarms. com has a long list of closed loops. Many farms have closed loops and they do not even know it. Creating new loops creates steps toward biological intelligence, which means you are creating beneficial life that needs safe havens to survive.

How do you see regenerative farming practices being implemented on a commercial scale?

We cannot see anything else. We simply will not have a long future outside of GMO foods and dead soil if we do not make the changes within our own businesses and farms. Chemicals and synthetic mediums are not growing medicine that will propagate intelligence. They are growing money and archaic ideology. They are wasting their time and money because the undercutting big guys that create the chemicals, mediums, environmental controls will be here to undercut their competition. Regenerative Cannabis is not their competition. There will always be a thriving market for high quality medicine that is grown with love. So, we cannot see it another way than all the farms and businesses that are not in regenerative Cannabis will be struggling in the future. Grow the fire for the least amount of money. That can only happen in regenerative cultivation systems. We see them implementing regenerative practices by building large beds that are connected to the earth. Cover cropping for soil aeration and nutrition. Utilizing all “waste” leaf and stalk material. And pulling up a chair for the plant in every meeting so she has the recognition of being the boss. We all know she is the boss when everything gets boiled down. Promote her to the head boss lady, and you will inevitably make good decisions. Every Cannabis plant wants to be grown in healthy soil with closed loops so she can stay healthy and continue her well-earned global respect. DEMPurefarms.com

ALASKA LEAF

T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S S U E

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE CANNABIS BRAND

WICK & MORTaR CEO AND FOUNDER

JARED MIRSKY 48/MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

The Cannabis design guru with his dog Blazey, at the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office in Seattle.

Jared Mirsky is a creative Cannabis pioneer whose original business, Online Marijuana Design (OMD), helped shape the face of the Cannabis industry as early as 2009. Now under the name Wick & Mortar, Mirsky discusses the importance of proper branding in an age when discerning consumers have many options at their local Cannabis retail shop. Q & A BY WES ABNEY | PHOTOS BY @BERMANPHOTOS

Should branding be part of a business plan for investment?

What motivated you to get started in cannabis design? I saw the Cannabis industry starting in medical and it was new and untapped and fun. A good friend of mine gave me a great piece of advice early on that if I ever had an opportunity to take something I was passionate about and focus that on a niche, in that would lie a path to success for myself. It felt right. I was a bit of a bad boy then, so being able to design and feel the air of the industry that was and is so taboo still was exciting and what I’ve always looked for.

How has the cannabis industry changed since you originally started OMD?

What’s changed is that cultivators want to be known now more than ever. In 2009, they didn’t want to be found, although the alias they used to hide their identities was something they were quite proud of. The only way to tell how good a brand or grower was at the time was by grading the quality of Cannabis they grew. Today we’re not just creating brands for dispensaries, we’re creating brands for every sector of the legal market.

How important is branding in the Cannabis marketplace?

If people are looking to build sustainable businesses, now is the time to focus heavily on creating a brand. [Business owners] must understand perception and the way the brand communicates itself through emotional and rational decisions, and create product lines based on emotional and rational decisions as opposed to strain specificity. Blue Dream means nothing to a new consumer but energetic or creative means a lot to a brand new industry. People need to stop living in the dark ages of pot, and live in now. Remember we need to be treating this like a commodity like coffee or any other products that have their own global packaging systems.

If you’re looking at how to establish a brand with respect to best practices, make sure you are budgeting properly. What I mean by that is no consumer sees your equipment or lights, so if you can create the same level of quality with more inexpensive gear and spend the money in the brand, that’s where people will see the value. They want to see something they are attracted to. It helps with retention, so if you want to find a way to be as cost effective as possible, invest money into your brand and you will save so much more money in the process because you won’t be polishing a sub-par product.

How do consumers relate to brands? Is it the same with normal products as it is Cannabis?

When you go into a store and you get to choose one bottle of wine versus another, how do you choose? People pick the one with the most attractive label, because it feels like it has the best chance of tasting good, given the price point. The same thing applies to Cannabis. It’s not just a package, it’s the promise you make to the customer. It’s the story, the way you engage and communicate your brand tone. No one wants to communicate with you if you don’t look good.

What are things to avoid with Cannabis branding?

Often companies gravitate to what they think and feel is most comfortable, adding a Z instead of an S, having a pot leaf in the logo, using the color green everywhere, etc. People are buying product from a pot shop, so brands don’t need to enhance the image of Cannabis more so than it already is. We destigmatize the plant by creating packaging and brands that speak to lifestyle. Yes, pot is in there, but you don’t need to make it as evident. Most companies also come to us last minute, so they pay more because we have to speed up the timeline of the product. Companies so focused on growing that branding became an afterthought. Branding should be the first thing you think about when you start a Cannabis business.

Do you think Cannabis branding overall is in a place that matches the pace of industry growth?

Here’s a fun statistic: Ninety percent of brands in the industry today are so poorly branded that they will not survive the future. But right now, the industry is so immature and demand is so high that the vast majority of companies will see sales no matter how poorly they brand. But three years from now, when the industry becomes oversaturated with great brands, it will be much more difficult to stand on your own.

“It’s not just a package, it’s the promise you make to the customer. It’s the story, the way you engage and communicate your brand tone.”

So, is now the time for brands to shift and begin focusing on building a sustainable market share?

Right now is perfect timing to get a brand done right, whether for the first time or as a rebrand. It will only be more expensive and competitive in the future.

Why did you choose to rebrand OMD to Wick & Mortar?

We rebranded because we were literally telling people to do everything we hadn’t yet done. We had a pot leaf in the logo, green as our primary color, and the name was Online Marijuana Design. It was chosen 10 years ago with SEO as the main reason, and our name spoke nothing of who we are and where we want to be. Although our branding as a whole was good, it felt like we were missing out on an array of opportunities based on the limitations our brand had versus what we have now. If we strive to be a better agency and look to create more meaningful relationships with more qualified clients, we needed to change way we looked in order to attract people we want.

Was it uncomfortable to toss out an established brand for something new? Was it worth the risk?

Yeah, but as things started to progress forward, I started to see the light, and realized this was definitely something we needed to do to be able to grow. I can’t imagine OMD being recognized as a global leader in Cannabis design, so we needed to step it up. Since stepping it up, we’ve seen 45,000 new followers on Instagram in less than four months. We’ve created a Docu-Series about the experience, which has given us a bit of notoriety and brought a new connection with our clients. There are so many more things we’ve been able to do since rebranding, which we couldn’t do before.

What services does Wick & Mortar provide clients?

We provide full branding services, from full brand development to logos, packaging solutions of all types, web design and SEO service, app development, advertising development and more. Visit our website, and see how we can help take your Cannabis brand to the next level.

What’s your advice to people preparing for a rebrand, or thinking about launching a company or product? Really understand your market, the products you want to sell now. Don’t feel like you need to jump in, you can do it slowly and build brand loyalty. Be mindful of what packaging solution to choose, not only understanding how long it takes, the brand cost and what customers care about most, but be able to project how much you can afford to spend and the quantities needed. Do your due diligence and look at the data. Plenty of good companies provide support like Headset or New Frontier, they have really good data to help you make those decisions. Finally, have really good sales collateral—we recommend having a cleanly created pricing matrix, even I go cross eyed when I see a spreadsheet. Take the time to create something that says this company is willing to put passion in their product.

WickandMortar.com MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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BUDDY BOY FARM Q&A | Head Grower Nicolaus Bopp

Buddy Boy Farm is a tier 3 producer in eastern Washington, located on a farm that’s produced organic blueberries for more than 40 years. They added Cannabis to the crop selection when legalization passed and built a sustainable, LED-lit greenhouse operation that is producing delicious Cannabis year round. INTERVIEW BY WES ABNEY PHOTOS BY @APOTFARMERSDAUGHTER

How did you get started with Buddy Boy Farms?

I’ve been with Buddy Boy for almost three years now, they’ve been going at it for four. I came in one year into their operation. I came to work in the 502 industry in Spokane and had helped another operation for the first portion of the year, and it was indoor. I didn’t like the indoor facility scene, no windows, so I decided to check this place out. It’s been a really great experience.

How is your greenhouse model more sustainable than indoor Cannabis?

At an agricultural level, the greenhouse model has so many more advantages. Any day, square footage wise, you are better off with a greenhouse than an indoor situation. It’s sustainable because our greenhouse Cannabis is not too much different than what indoor is doing in terms of quality, but we use about 40 to 50 percent less energy to grow larger yields. If we can use less power throughout the year and in the summer, we don’t run the lights at all during the day, we’re not even using 20 percent of the power of indoor for five to six months of the year, and that’s a huge sustainability point for us. We also have a natural water source on the property, and we irrigate our blueberries and Cannabis with the same water!

how much Cannabis are you producing each month?

Nicolaus Bopp Photo by Lauren Walker

50/MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Right now, we are harvesting a couple greenhouses every month, with about 150 pounds per crop in winter depending on strains. During summer, we hit 200 to 250 pounds per greenhouse because of the airflow and the sun and how it all works out. We grow 500 to 600 plants per house in seven-gallon pots on irrigation systems, and we are always testing new nutrients and trying stuff. We have a really simple low organic fertilizer with fish and worm casting. We don’t use pesticides but we will spray essential oils and we stick to all the 100 percent essentials, eucalyptus and rosemary and cinnamon bark and canola to help. I also use a lot of kelp and foliar sprays.

“As long as it’s above 32 degrees we open the houses and take advantage of the sun every day we can.” IS THIS A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR CANNABIS? What was the key on the business side?

As prices dropped on Cannabis we had to figure out how to compete in the market, and they were able to figure out a formula where we get by. The actual property owner has 35 years of agricultural experience, and he had a lot of key ideas and was able to lead and oversee the buying of the equipment. He spent a tremendous amount of time sourcing prices we could afford. There were times where we had to choose the most competitive piece of equipment, buy the one at half the price and focus on growing year by year. We’re always asking how can we do this quicker and more efficiently. I have the same amount of people on the grow team I’ve had since the beginning of this when we had three greenhouses, and now we have 12. The people who oversee the way we spend money have done a really good job of putting it back into the company and employees. That’s one of the reasons we have survived as well.

What are your favorite strains grown by the team?

How big are the greenhouses, and what are the advantages of building so many?

We have 12 greenhouses total, 125 feet long by 30 feet wide, all fully equipped. These days we have about 120 lights per greenhouse with three industrial dehumidifiers, and propane heating systems at each end to maintain temp and humidity level. There’s a lot of different advantages— we didn’t have to spend as much money as building indoors to start. We like to utilize the sun for a good portion of the year, and as long as it’s above 32 degrees we open the houses and take advantage of the sun every day we can.

What challenges do you have with growing year-round & cold affecting the greenhouses?

It’s complicated to grow when it’s zero degrees out, you have to pay attention to every factor. Just exchanging zero-degree air that has no humidity turns into condensation when it hits warmth, so it’s a constant struggle to maintain the right environment. But we’re still producing a beautiful product even when there’s snow on the ground.

I really love Sour Diesel, it’s my favorite strain we grow, along with Acapulco Gold, they’re both sativa style plants. It’s easier for the crew to keep up when de-leafing on the sativas. I love the indica strains, and we have about 50/50 mix of sativas and indicas. I do like growing the indicas in the greenhouse, they develop better as the light gets to them. We grow some of the old traditional strains like Blue Dream and Black Cherry OG. And we do have a really cool high CBD strain, the Amazing Grace, which was mislabeled from Cloner’s Market but turned out to be a wonderful strain!

What’s been the secret to the success of Buddy Boy Farms?

A lot of success with Buddy Boy Farms happens outside the grow team as well. We’ve been able to improve in every department, and it’s a big team effort. It’s definitely not just me, the owners provide me with what I need, and it’s a very big deal. Everybody counts who does their job here, and it takes a team! It’s a really beautiful farm out here, with super good vibes in the middle of the country, surrounded by mountains. It’s a legit farm and makes me feel great every day when I come in to work.

BuddyBoyFarm.com MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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ALASKA LEAF

T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S S U E

Near Ellensburg, WA

PUFFIN FARM

JADE STEFANO How do you define sustainably grown Cannabis?

Grown under the sun, using organic methods. No one is perfect, and you try to be as sustainable as you can, but you have to make choices. In my view, the biggest issue we face as a species is the longterm sustainability of life on our planet. Global warming is the biggest threat to this. It boils down to carbon consumption and CO2 emissions and Cannabis is becoming a significant contributor.

HOW BIG IS THE ISSUE OF climate changE in the Cannabis industry?

The amount of carbon being released by indoor Cannabis’s energy consumption is so big that other sustainability concerns such as packaging pales in comparison. Colorado Public Radio just released a story on how four percent of Denver’s electricity is devoted to marijuana, and in Washington it’s similar numbers. A large amount of our grid is going to lighting and HVAC. Cannabis loves the sun and we have great lumens on the eastern side of the state, so to grow indoors seems ludicrous given the environmental cost.

What is your worldview on climate change?

Climate change is real, the science supports it. Unfortunately, it’s happening faster than predicted 10 or 20 years ago. There are major ice deposits melting, polar bears are dying as they can’t find enough sea ice to hunt from, it’s ugly. Will growing sustainable sun grown Cannabis stop climate change? No. But you can’t give up. If there’s a problem we don’t want to increase it.

SO CANNABIS CAN BE A TEACHABLE MOMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY?

Climate change is a sad situation for everyone, and I don’t want to see Cannabis contribute to this in any way. It’s an amazing, healing and spiritual plant. It’s medicine, recreation and it’s love, and to produce it by adding to the burden on our planet isn’t necessary. A lot of Cannabis on the market is from indoor farms that are effectively spewing carbon. If consumers knew that they would choose differently.

52/MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Jade is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in medical Cannabis education and co-owns Puffin Farm, a recreational Cannabis garden near Ellensburg, WA. Puffin Farm grows as sustainably as possible, using all organic and natural nutrients and pest control and only the pure Eastern Washington sun to grow happy plants. She is also a board member of the Washington Sun Growers Industry Association (WSIA), a group dedicated to spreading awareness about the carbon footprint of indoor Cannabis and education around the benefits of outdoor growing. Q & A BY WES ABNEY | PHOTOS @BERMANPHOTOS

“There’s major ice melting, polar bears are dying and can’t find enough sea ice to hunt from, it’s ugly. Will growing sustainable sun grown Cannabis stop climate change? No. But you can’t give up. If there’s a problem we don’t want to increase it.”

How much energy does a full sun outdoor grow use compared to an indoor garden?

Outdoor grows use at least 80 percent less energy then indoor grows. Properly managed organic outdoor cultivation also has the benefit of sequestering carbon in the soil further reducing their carbon footprint and can actually be carbon neutral or even carbon negative.

Why is energy use important for Cannabis consumers?

People need to look at the facts to understand the situation and ask for what they want and for what jives with their values. They do it with food. While many people buy factory produced chemical laden food, there are many people here in Washington that prefer organic, naturally produced food and who are very concerned about climate change. A lot of people go into a pot store and buy indoor and they don’t think twice because they don’t know their options or understand how much power growing indoors takes. It’s hard to imagine how much electricity it really uses. I don’t think it’s on people’s radar, so educating consumers, retailers and budtenders, and marketing to the public is going to go a long way. We want to reach the end consumer and have people think about it and ask questions when they go into a store.

Is all indoor pot bad?

It’s never going to go away 100 percent. There are medical patients and hopefully in the future, home growers in Washington who want to grow personal plants in a basement or closet — they need to grow indoors — it’s

Are greenhouse grows sustainable in your opinion? Where do we draw the line as an industry and consumers choosing which model to support?

A fully lighted climate controlled greenhouse uses maybe 40 percent less energy than indoor, and that’s huge! I’d love to see indoor move to that situation, use less energy and get some supplemental sunlight too make it more sustainable. But right now, that’s hardly happening in the state. It needs to become too expensive to grow indoors, then that’s the next logical step. In my ideal world, there would be enough canopy available so all production could be seasonal, and it could supply the whole country, all flowering done under the sun. It would be such a smaller carbon footprint than the massive indoor grows.

“The sun is free, it grows great product and it’s the right thing to do for the planet.”

What is the best way to solve the carbon emission situation in Cannabis?

A carbon tax — one is very likely to happen here as a result of Washington state Governor Inslee’s carbon initiative and it will affect the Cannabis industry. If companies are held liable for carbon emissions, they will make different choices, which is fantastic.

What about the stigma facing outdoor pot?

There is a stigma against outdoor, that it’s bad and swaggy, but it’s not true. Sure, there is some bad outdoor grown Cannabis I wouldn’t touch with a stick, maybe it got moldy due to an incorrect climate, or bad post harvest treatment, but there’s some amazing dank super terpene rich Cannabis that will compete any day against indoor and taste better and smell better. Outdoor Cannabis can look different, its not what consumers are used to after buying prohibition era indoor Cannabis for the last 30 years. So, to an uneducated consumer, indoor weed may look prettier. It often has a lighter color Outdoor may look more rugged, and the color may be darker due to natural color changes that take place due to cool fall nights. The stigma is a result of misinformation, and years of hiding in the closet due to prohibition.

What is the Washington Sun Growers Industry Association and what are your goals for it?

Blood Orange Tangie AKA Tangerine

rainy or they live in the city and they need medicine, and I think that’s a wonderful thing to do. I don’t ever want anybody to not be able to grow Cannabis for personal use. Doing that indoors, on a small scale, I have no problem with that at all. But it doesn’t make sense at an industrial scale.

about their options and to consider growing outdoors and with greenhouses. The sun is free, it grows great product and it’s the right thing to do for the planet.

What is your biggest problem with commercial indoor Cannabis?

It’s hilarious. There’s a misconception that only outdoor is flooding the market, it’s really not true at all. An indoor tier 3 can produce so much more Cannabis in a year, five to 10 times the amount in fact. To suggest outdoor is what’s flooding the market is crazy, and it’s not supported by the data either.

My issue is with large scale production which is using lots of energy and releasing carbon into the atmosphere. I don’t think it’s going away. I’m not trying to shut down all indoor growers, I have friends doing it, but I want people to think about the environment when they make decisions, and for farms to think

What about the argument that outdoor Cannabis is flooding the market?

Our mission is to support sane policy that will help sun growers survive in the market and to protect the environment. We act as an advocacy organization for sun-grown Cannabis farmers. I’m on the board as treasurer. We go to Olympia and educate politicians, the WSLCB and the Governor on issues important to sungrowers. We also sit on all of the Cannabis advisory groups at the WSLCB to make sure sungrower’s priorities are heard.

What is your final message to the industry & consumers?

Most Washingtonians are really freaked out by climate change and don’t realize that the weed they smoke contributes to it. They need to make good choices based on facts. It’s just going to take a little time. Look how long it took for organic food to catch on [nationally]. It’s a matter of getting people to understand the situation and then to try some high grade sungrown Cannabis.. They won’t be disappointed.

PuffinFarm.com MAR. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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budshot

REDWOOD VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

BERRY

WHITE PHRESH START FARMS FOUNDER ZACHARY BROWN IS ORIGINALLY FROM VASHON ISLAND, WASHINGTON. Phresh Start Farms

INDICA-DOMINANT STRAIN PROVIDES EUPHORIA AND UPLIFTED MOOD. Photo by Kristen Angelo

@APOTFARMERSDAUGHTER

Got sweet garden/bud photos?

54/mar. 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Share them with us and they might appear here in a feature spread next month! Just email your top 2-3 not-taken-with-a-phoneunless-they-were-incredibly-superduper-steady high-resolution images to nwleaf@gmail.com along with the usual details on who to credit for the strain, breed, grow and photographer.

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