23 minute read
MATANUSKA CANNABIS CO
One day at a time
Matanuska Cannabis Co. Navigates the New World of Cannabis and Covid-19
It’s easy to look around our community and see the economic impact of Covid-19, in just a few weeks. Shops closed “till further notice”, events cancelled or postponed and kids are home, much to their parent’s dismay. This is our world now, driving cautiously from home to work with little in between and staying home with our families. Sounds nice at first, but we all know it can’t last. Especially for the Cannabis industry.
I HAD A CHANCE to talk with Chad Ragsdale, owner of Matanuska Cannabis Co. and the now waiting MCC Flight, which is a finished building sitting on a lot, waiting for the end of the crisis. Over the phone, Chad talked with me about the changes, expectations and surprises so far.
“We jumped on this right away with extra cleaning and gloves, and we even had people wait on a bench if too many customers were in the store,” recalled Chad, explaining that he had his staff alert and prepared as they went into action fast.
“We were one of the first places to start pulling back because I had a feeling this issue could grow,” Ragsdale said.
“We thought we might have to close, so we ran a sale, but then the governor released the mandate. After closer examination and discussions with our lawyer, we came to the conclusion we could stay open.”
MATANUSKACANNABIS.COM
MATANUSKA CANNABIS CO. not only shortened their hours, they also reduced staff from 11 people to four, increased cleaning protocols, implemented the use of masks, eliminated any menus handled by hand, and installed plexiglas in their ‘cage.’
But just how did customers react to these changes?
“We’ve had a crazy amount of people that don’t believe this is a real situation,” said Chad.
“They’ve been very vocal to myself and the budtenders and it’s disappointing. Thankfully, my team has been amazing during this entire process. They’ve been patient, understanding and calm in all situations despite the challenges.”
Matanuska Cannabis Co. is not the first to mention customers having an attitude. Numerous posts on ACR (the Alaska Cannabis Review Facebook page used by many in the industry) from budtenders are flooding news feeds, with discussions of kindness and patience.
“We’re simply following the guidelines, but if people don’t believe this is real, they’ve had a little edge to them,” Chad said.
“It’s important to us to protect our staff and customers. We’ve encouraged people to be kind no matter where they are shopping. People are allowed to have feelings and opinions, but we need to follow guidelines to stay open.”
Like many situations, this problem has created two sides: the people who seem to be staying at home, overly cautious of infecting their families, and then the people who simply believe it’s all a hoax or not as bad as the media says. I think we can all agree that the mass public media and social media have not helped U.S. citizens, or their businesses, during this trying time. Here, misinformation plagues business owners and consumers alike.
“A huge thing I’ve learned is that it’s important to stay on top of the information regarding Covid-19,” Chad continued.
“I spend most of my day just making sure we are following the most current guidelines and mandates from the State and CDC for our business to stay open. I’m in contact with my attorney constantly and I’m working to make sure the information I get is accurate from the CDC or Alaska DHSS. At this point I’m hoping things can recover quickly. I am glad the state government took action to keep people safe, but there is more work to be done. We will need options in the Cannabis industry if things start getting completely shut down.” Chad is right. If Cannabis businesses have to completely shut down it could be horrific. While people have this perception that Cannabis businesses are ‘killin it,’ they have more regulation and red tape than I’ve ever seen. No ability to deliver, limited customer base, strict advertising rules, limited sponsorship opportunities and being cash only makes owning a business in this industry complicated to say the least.
Hopefully Chad’s second location - MCC Flight - will be able to open in late May or June, but only time will tell. Until then, there’s a building on a lot with rent due, and little help is in sight.
CHAD RAGSDALE | OWNER MATANUSKA CANNABIS CO.
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SECRET GARDEN
How this Anchorage Cannabis shop is encouraging social distancing and best practices for the safety of their customers and staff members
Q&A | Owner James Thornton
Let’s talk a little bit about how Secret Garden came to be. What inspired you to open up your facility?
Cannabis is a plant I strongly believe in. Its applications and uses are so numerous that I believe we have yet to tap into its full potential. The prohibition and stigmatization of Cannabis since the war on drugs began, really held back our ability to advance Cannabis education through research and development over the years. Now that many states have legalized Cannabis and its values and benefits are more openly acknowledged, I feel like we are entering a new Cannabis renaissance.
This new age will come with its share of challenges, including the attempted corporatization of Cannabis and Cannabis culture. I truly hope that with its challenges, this new age will facilitate a better understanding of the plant we love so much, its compounds and our physiological relationship with them.
My personal journey with Cannabis began in college when I was introduced while hanging out with friends. Immediately, I felt its effects were complimentary to my artistic and athletic hobbies. As time moved on, the need for a consistent supply of Cannabis that had the attributes I was looking for became elevated.
726 E 15TH AVE, ANCHORAGE (907) 748-9333 SECRETGARDENCANNABIS.COM OPEN 8AM-MIDNIGHT DAILY
At that point, I began growing my own flower in the personal use market - a Secret Garden.
I know it was a long journey to get the facility to be what it is today. Has it turned out like you envisioned it would be in the beginning, or was there a lot of change along the path?
Unforeseen changes are something you become very accustomed to when building out a commercial Cannabis facility in Anchorage. Thanks to many skilled and knowledgeable craftsman and women, laborers, and tried and true SGC crew, the Secret Garden has surpassed my expectations of what we could accomplish here.
Let’s pivot to the recent events that have taken the world by storm. You have been extremely proactive implementing safety procedures as the situation has unfolded. What steps have you taken to help improve the health and safety of your clients and employees?
The COVID-19 pandemic has really challenged our collective definition of ‘normal life’ and made all of us realize how truly fragile life can be. At this time, not knowing what the future holds is a very surreal experience for all of us, whether at home or at work. When the reports of escalating coronavirus cases worldwide started coming in and it seemed inevitable that it would come to Alaska, we took it very seriously. We closed our showroom to the public shortly thereafter and began selling product through our retail entry windows exclusively. This sales option had previously been added to our operating plan and approved through the State Marijuana Control Board, so we were good to go.
Position markers were installed to help with customer distancing. We gathered up as much fabric as was available and cut bandanas and face coverings to be available upon request for customers in need, as well as installing a foaming sanitizer dispenser in the retail entry room.
One customer came into the retail entry room with toilet paper in his nose. He took bandanas home for his whole family.
Sanitation standards have been of the utmost priority at the Garden since we opened our doors and began operating three licenses last summer, 2019. COVID-19 only fortified our standards and added more purpose to our protocols. Gloves and facial coverings became a requirement for employees in the retail store, along with hourly surface wipe downs.
Staff facility-wide was strongly encouraged to wear facial coverings early on as well.
Social distancing and group gathering limit signage was installed in the front and back of the house, and employees were asked to follow CDC guidelines on frequent hand washing or sanitizing.
-Owner James Thornton
Any employees reporting illness or exposure to other ill relatives or friends were asked to stay home until they felt better and were symptom free for at least 72 hours, when the mandate called for 24 hours. If any of the symptoms were COVID related, we asked that they not return until receiving negative test results. Luckily no one has tested positive.
What made you put these procedures into place so early?
My number one focus at the Garden is the health and wellbeing of our staff and clients, so with even a slight probability that COVID would come knocking, we wanted to do everything in our power to not only protect our vulnerable and elderly populations, but also continue to provide safe access to regulated Cannabis products. How has your staff reacted to the changes?
Everyone working at the Garden has taken the mandates and new internal protocols very seriously. Their professionalism and dedication through these times has been noble. I’m very proud of my team’s ability to stay positive and perform at such a high level during this world changing event.
Have the store’s customers been supportive of the actions?
For the most part our customers seemed to appreciate our early response to the impending outbreak, and many of them started wearing masks on their own when visiting the Garden. Not everyone agrees, but most people at least understand that we are looking out for them by changing the way we do business. We have had very few complaints about the new sanitation protocols, social distancing requirements and reduced customer interactions. Personally, I miss the candy bowl.
Looping back to the journey that it has been from the start of your vision to where you are now, what are you most proud of at this point?
Right now, I can only think of all the amazing people who have worked through this pandemic. When most have watched the news from the uncomfort of their own home, they have gone to work under stressful conditions to keep our society functioning in crisis mode. Thank you for keeping a cool head and showing the world what Alaskans are made of! Front desk clerks masked, behind glass
Finally, if there were one thing you would want everyone to know about Secret Garden and the people who put in the hard work to make it all happen, what
would it be? Sorry Josh, it’s a secret.
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WONDER
WOMAN
GROWN BY SWEET MATANUSKA GREEN
I t ’ s a b o u t t i m e we h a d a s u p e r h e ro s t ra i n n a m e d a ft e r a wo m a n , a s we a l l love the female energy of Cannabis that produces such lovely flowers.
Wonder Woman is a heroic power plant worthy of the title, growing impressively while in flower and producing large and beautiful buds. The finished nugs are equally thick, with medium density and a classic round bud structure that looks undoubtedly strong in a bag or jar. Opening the packaging releases bright orange and lemon fuel aromas, with a deep earthy skunk scent lurking in the background.
Smoking a bowl of this feels like getting hit with Wonder Woman’s whip, cracking into the mind and body with waves of happy euphoria. A uniquely balanced hybrid, this 20.81% THC strain is perfect for any time of day - after all, superheroes don’t take breaks. No matter what activity is chosen while channeling this awesome power, it’s a great one because you’ll be blissfully stoned. This lovely feeling will last for several hours before an easy come down, unless you decide to crack the whip again!
1 PROPAGATION/PLANTING 2 PLANT CARE 3 HARVEST 4 DRY + CURE 5 TRIMMING 6 PRE-ROLL MANUFACTURE 7 BHO & CO2 EXTRACTION 8 SOLVENTLESS EXTRACTION 9 EDIBLE PRODUCTION 10 TESTING THE PRODUCTS 11 PACKAGING & FULFILLMENT 12 EDUCATION & CONSUMPTION
Seed to $ale
For most of its modern history as a medicine and recreational consumable, Cannabis remained shrouded in mystery. Patients and stoners alike found vague answers to prying questions: What strain is this? Not sure - the guy called it Purple Princess. How high will this brownie get me? One will get you pretty high, two will get you really high. Where did this come from? BC, I think. Wait, no - Humboldt? Every step from behind Prohibition’s curtain offers clearer answers. Now, with two thirds of the United States employing some form of legalization or decriminalization, tracking systems and testing requirements have made it possible to follow - and track - a product from the geneticist who bred the seed all the way to the joint in a patient’s hand.
For more than a year, our editorial staff has been working closely with Oregon breeder Hermetic Genetics, cultivator Urban Pharms and distributor The Sweet Life, in order to track a locally bred strain from seed to consumption. It has taken a monumental amount of work and logistical wizardry to bring you the story package you see here. So heat up your banger, pop your gummy or spark up your joint, and give some love to the people that make it all possible.
1Propagation and Planting
Our story begins with seeds bred by Oregon-based breeder Hermetic Genetics and popped by Seth Marsh, owner and founder of of Urban Pharms. The seeds spend 12-24 hours in a high moisture environment - wet paper towels in plastic bags in this case - which cracks the seeds open and begins the life cycle for the plant. The seed and its protruding taproot are then gently placed into four inch soil plugs, where they’ll reside for their infancy and toddler stages of life. Once they’re a few weeks old and about six inches tall, the plugs are removed from trays, planted into one gallon pots and transferred to the greenhouse to grow. After a couple weeks vegging in the greenhouse, they spend about a week living outside the greenhouse to begin becoming accli- mated to the outdoor environment before being transplanted into custom made, 360 gallon pots for later vegging and flower.
2Plant Care Upkeep and maintenance are abso- lutely critical to growing a successful crop. There are dozens of different techniques, but clipping fan leaves and interior nodes, and supporting a plant with trellis netting are two of the most widely practiced forms of maintenance. Clipping fan leaves and interior nodes promotes airflow and helps defend against the development of powdery mildew. Plant upkeep has less agreed upon methodology, with essentially every grower implementing a slightly different strategy to keep their plants healthy and happy. These days, one of the most commonly practiced forms of plant upkeep is integrated pest management, which is the practice of implementing human-safe and ecosystem-friend- ly methods of pest prevention, instead of using offthe-shelf pesticides. Ladybugs are natural predators that feed on both aphids and mites - two pests that love to munch Cannabis.
3Harvest During Fall harvest season, when the leaves are changing and the Cannabis flowers have ripened into plump, chunky buds, life on the farm buzzes with an energy that can be best described as organized chaos. Dozens of seasonal workers descend on the property, where towering 12- to16-foot Cannabis trees are chopped down, deleafed, quartered, bucked and prepped to be hung to dry. It’s a sight to behold - the hum of activity, the positive energy and the exhilarating rush of bringing down thousands of pounds of flower as part of a well-oiled operational machine. At Urban Pharms, the teams constantly move the plants from one stage to another assembly line style, each step in the process fitting together efficiently like the gears of a clock. Harvest is, by far, the most labor-intensive stage in the life cycle of a Cannabis plant, and everything needs to happen within a narrow window of time to ensure peak quality for the resulting product.
4Drying &Curing Executing a proper dry and cure might be the most important step in growing a Cannabis plant. Dry too fast and your volatile (and highly desirable) terpenes dissipate, leaving you with buds that smell like hay. Beginning your cure with too much moisture left in the buds can cause mold and ruin a perfectly good harvest. Most commonly after harvest, branches are chopped from the plants and hung in a temperature and humidity controlled environment for 7-10 days before being moved into the curing steps of the process. Urban Pharms built a brand new 8,000 square foot drying and curing facility in 2019 - no small investment and a testament to the importance of this step in the process. During the curing process, bags are ‘burped’ in order to release evaporating moisture and off-gas CO2. This step is one of the keys to finishing quality flower.
5Trimming Trimming generally occurs twice for outdoor plants. First, immediately at harvest, large fan leaves are removed either by hand or by machine - depending on the size of the crop. Then, after drying, the plants are ready to be more finely manicured and are cleaned up with more precise trim machines, by hand, and sometimes both. Generally speaking on scaled farms, the second step occurs only for buds headed to market and not destined for pre-rolls or processing, as the cost of trimming is a significant portion of a farm’s annual overhead. This important step helps bridge the gap between a plant in a field and a finely manicured, purchase-ready product at a dispensary.
6Rolling Deep Generating thousands of prerolls per day for statewide distribution takes a lot more than a Diamond hand grinder and a pack of RAW king size papers. Flower is milled to a fine grind - often using industrial machinery - before being loaded into joint-packing equipment. The industry standard cone-filler is the Futurola Knockbox - some of which can handle up to 300 pre-rolls at a time. One of the biggest challenges of this step in the process is ensuring that operators successfully fill each cone precisely to the desired level. At this scale, being a fraction of a gram off the mark adds up quickly.
7BHO & CO2 Extraction The art of solvent based extraction has come a long way since backyard blasting, but the end goal and fundamentals of the procedure remain the same: to extract the highly valued cannabinoids and terpenoids using a combination of precisely dialed pressure and temperature. In solvent based extraction, such as butane (BHO) and supercritical CO2 methods, a solvent is put in contact with the flower, drawing out the beneficial compounds. The resulting oil can be further refined using ethanol distillation and is often clarified through winterization, during which fats and waxes are removed using a combination of ethanol and sub-zero temperatures. Cartridge manufacturers have traditionally favored refined solvent based extraction, as it often results in clearer oils, which offer ‘shelf appeal’ for case-cruising consumers.
8Solventless Extraction Solventless extraction relies on purely mechanical methods. Rosin, hash, dry sift - these comprise the old school. They keep more of the plant’s overall profile intact, as they’re not winterized or distilled - the fats and waxes stay in the mix. Current trends in developed markets are showing that what’s old is new again - connoisseurs increasingly prefer solventless to solvent based extracts.
9Edible Production Differing types of extracts are added to edibles at various stages of production, depending on the product. Some manufacturers use ethanol extracted FECO - which contains a significant amount of plant matter, and offers an extremely strong flavor profile and heavy, medicated effects. Most edible producers currently serving the market use nearly pure cannabinoid distillate or isolate, as these showcase little to no flavor or aroma - though they sacrifice full spectrum efficacy in the process. Dialing in the process of adding extract to edibles is of paramount importance - batches undergo rigorous testing to ensure that each serving is dosed properly. Just a fraction of a milligram off, and a producer can lose hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars to product loss.
10 Testing The Products After cultivation and before consumption comes the most intricate and expensive stage in the entire process: testing. This is the step that separates the pro from the amateur, in terms of consumer confidence. Samples are sent to testing labs after any stage in the process where the product may end up in a consumer’s hand: after cultivation, after extraction and after extract is added to edibles. Each stage gets a separate test, which is undoubtedly costly. At the lab, scientists employ methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography to identify and measure the compounds in the plant or product’s chemical composition. This tells producers, regulators and consumers exactly what is in the product. All legal states require cannabinoid, pesticide and moisture testing. Some states also require terpene and heavy metals testing at an additional expense. Savvy producers in states where this additional testing is optional often choose to add these tests for greater transparency and marketability.
11 Packaging & Fulfillment Product is packaged and custom printed batch specific labels are affixed to each sales unit before the products are locked in the vault to await delivery. Each product can be traced all the way back to the seed using the state’s tracking system. Next, inventory managers update the state tracking system as products are secured for delivery to retailers. One of the keys to a robust market is a well maintained relationship between the sales representatives, drivers and retailers. This relationship determines the product mix available to customers, and if the brands and retailers aren’t talking to one another, consumers miss out.
12 Education & Consumption Budtenders spend time educating their customers, finding the best products to suit each individual situation. Like the distributor-retailer dynamic, the budtender-customer relationship determines the quality of the overall experience. So, now you’ve purchased your Cannabis - the best part. After arriving safely home, you open the childproof packaging. Whether you’re binge-watching Netflix, recording the next great album or tending to your own garden, one thing’s for sure - it took an army of people and a mountain of effort to bring you this experience. Savor the moment. And tip your budtender.
