THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
#53 | SEPT. 2020
TANNINS & TERPENES
THE ART & SCIENCE OF PAIRING CANNABIS Alaskan Brewing Co. Fireweed Blonde paired with Sweet Matanuska Green Sherbet Bowser
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Lic: 24049
sEPT. 2020
ISSUE 53 11 EDITOR NOTE 12 NATIONAL NEWS 16 BUDTENDER Q&A 18 TOP SHELF CANNABIS 20 CATALYST CANNABIS CO. 24 STRAIN OF THE MONTH 26 TANNINS & TERPENES 27 DENALI DISPENSARIES 28 SWEET MATANUSKA GREEN 29 ALASKA CANNABIS EXCHANGE 30 FREEDOM 49 FARMS 32 PRODUCTIVE PAIRINGS 34 BROOKLYN BREWERY 36 COOKING WITH CANNABIS 38 CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH 40 LANGUAGE BARRIERS 42 CANNTHROPOLOGY 44 STONEY BALONEY ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF
DANIEL BERMAN
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26 TANNINS & TERPENES
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BRUCE WOLF
ALASKA LEAF'S FAVORITE PAIRINGS!
36 CANNABIS RECIPES STONED SUMMERTIME GOODNESS
REVIEW & PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF
COURTESY
in muldoon, we tour the beautiful eastside location of catalyst cannabis co. and learn how they’re helping educate consumers.
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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating eects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the innuence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.
E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E
N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F /
A B O U T T H E C OV E R “The Tannins & Terpenes Issue is one of our absolute favorite editions to produce each year. Exploring flavor nuances and creating intentional combinations to bring forth certain effects is a titillating and exciting experience, each and every time. We are still learning so much about this incredible plant and we are excited to share our findings with you in each issue. So grab a copy, kick back with one of the pairings found in this edition, and dive into a world of flavor with us. Pictured on this month’s cover is Alaskan Brewing Co. Fireweed Blonde paired with Sherbet Bowser flower by Sweet Matanuska Green.” -Max Early
PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS STYLING by MIKE AHMANN @MIKE.AHMANN
PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MIKE AHMANN, STYLING
WES@NWLEAF.COM 206-235-6721
BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN
DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM
TOM BOWERS, FEATURES SKYE CABRERA, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS MATT FURMAN, PHOTOS
STATE DIRECTOR
MIKE RICKER, FEATURES
JOSHUA STAHLE | AD SALES
MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING
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O'HARA SHIPE | EDITORIAL
OHARA@SHIPESHOTS.COM
O'HARA SHIPE, PHOTOGRAPHY NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES LAURIE & BRUCE WOLF, RECIPES
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up our annual Tannins & Terpenes edition! Marijuana is safer than alcohol! I feel like that statement must lead the way for this note, because it is an unequivocal truth. If we looked at health impacts, deaths and the billions in social and healthcare costs that alcohol is responsible for, we would instead be selling Cannabis on every street corner. That said, it’s 2020 and we are getting closer to a future where Cannabis is at least treated equally to alcohol, and the two certainly do pair well together when the occasion calls for it. When we first started pairing the two in Northwest Leaf in 2012, the idea was to bring awareness to the many flavor profiles and styles that exist in the Cannabis sphere. An attitude from then still prevails today in many parts of the world: All pot is just pot. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED Our journey through pairing Cannabis and PAIRING alcohol has led us to throw events celebrating THE TWO IN the two, to create custom cocktails and mocktails NORTHWEST infused with terpenes, and to get really good at LEAF IN 2012, using Cannabis as a hangover preventer. More on THE IDEA WAS TO BRING this at a later date, but google Cannabis neuroAWARENESS protective properties and let your mind run. TO THE MANY The point being: We enjoy bringing these FLAVOR PROFILES AND pairings to life and this year we have some great STYLES THAT options for you to try. EXIST IN THE New for this year are our “Productive Pairings” CANNABIS - a concept from our California Leaf Director Nate SPHERE. Williams. The idea that you can only pair weed with alcohol is silly, so we made four new pairings with tea, coffee, kombucha and mate. These productive pairings are great for starting or getting through the day! I’m currently enjoying a blonde espresso roast with dabs of Unicorn Poop from Echo Electuary in Oregon, and it feels pretty damn good. I hope that this issue inspires you to try new pairings and flavor combinations, becoming an educational tool for you to share with anyone who still thinks all weed is created equal. So light up, pour a tasty beverage and enjoy this scintillating issue of the Leaf!
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS | Our Aug. 2020 story on MoMo's Bakery misspelled the name of Owner Maureen Eberhardt, and their Instagram, @momosbakeryak. AK Leaf regrets the error and welcomes feedback.
Wes Abney
Sept. 2020
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trends & culture
national news
politics
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PELOSI DEFENDS MARIJUANA’S COVID-19 THERAPY POTENTIAL
H
ouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August defended a provision of the Democratic coronavirus relief bill tied to Cannabis. “I don’t agree with you that Cannabis is not related to this,” Pelosi said during a press briefing, reports The Hill. “This is a therapy that has proven successful.” House Democrats passed their own $3 trillion stimulus bill called the Heroes Act on May 15, but it never got a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate, reports Forbes. The provision would have allowed legal Cannabis businesses to work with banking services, reports USA Today. Cannabis business have been deemed ‘essential’ during the pandemic, but aren’t eligible for Small Business Administration loans, according to the National Cannabis Industry Association.
‘POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS’ OF CANNABIS FOR LEGAL STATES
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esearchers with the University of Waterloo, School of Public Health in Canada surveyed 5,530 adult respondents living in Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state, and they found some very reassuring news, reports NORML. Adults over the age of 21 who live in states where retail Cannabis sales are allowed tend to have positive impressions of the marijuana industry, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. “The current findings suggest generally positive perceptions of the legal Cannabis market,” the authors reported. “THIS DATA ONCE “Most respondents, including frequent AGAIN AFFIRMS THAT MOST VOTERS DO NOT Cannabis consumers, perceived legal EXPERIENCE ‘BUYER’S Cannabis to be of equal or greater quality REMORSE’ FOLLOWING and convenience, and as safer to buy and MARIJUANA use than Cannabis from illegal sources.” LEGALIZATION.” “This data once again affirms that most voters do not experience ‘buyer’s remorse’ following marijuana legalization,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “In the minds of most Americans, these laws are operating as voters intended and in a manner that is consistent with their expectations.”
southwest
ARIZONA LEGALIZATION INITIATIVE WILL BE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
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northwest
CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY MAKES PROGRESS IN WASHINGTON STATE
A
aklEAF.COM
ttempts to increase minority participation in Washington state’s marijuana industry are ongoing, but government officials there face hurdles in creating a workable social equity program, due to stiff competition and plentiful supplies, reports Marijuana Business Daily. Governor Jay Inslee in March signed House Bill Gov. Jay Inslee 2870 to create a new social equity program “that provides business opportunities to people from disproportionately harmed communities so they can ... become a Cannabis retailer.” Existing weed retailers in Washington are well established, as the state began recreational sales in 2014. That makes the state one of the most competitive in the nation for all types of Cannabis licensees. It will still be months before any social equity business licenses are issued, according to state health department employee Christy Hoff. Members of a task force - expected to consist of about a dozen people from state agencies, Cannabis businesses and minority representatives haven’t been selected.
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tons of Cannabis hidden inside lime boxes was seized at the Mexican border by authorities in August.
Sept, 2020
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percent of Canadian Cannabis market share is earned by vape pens, reports Headset data.
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annabis could become legalized in Arizona in the near future as a new measure has officially qualified for the November 2020 ballot. The Secretary of State in August announced that activists had turned in enough valid signatures to qualify, one month after about “ADULTS WOULD 420,000 signatures HAVE THE RIGHT were submitted, reports TO LEGALLY POSSESS UP Marijuana Moment. TO AN OUNCE Adults would have OF CANNABIS UNDER THE the right to legally MEASURE.” possess up to an ounce of Cannabis under the measure. Cultivation of up to six plants for personal use would also be allowed. Restorative justice provisions are also included in the measure, such as allowing people with prior pot convictions to petition for expungements and establishing a social equity Cannabis business ownership program.
$
LEGALIZATION
NEW INITIATIVE TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS SALES FILED IN D.C.
A
ctivists have filed a new proposed bailout initiative to legalize Cannabis sales in the nation’s capital. The “New Modern Day Cannabis Justice Reform Act” would halt prosecutions of marijuana cultivation, sales and consumption, reports Marijuana Moment. It would also stop Cannabis from being the cause of police searches and provide for record expungement of prior marijuana convictions. D.C. voters approved a legalization measure in 2014, but it only covered possession and home cultivation - not sales. The city has been prevented from implementing a retail model due to a Congressional rider barring it from using local tax funds for such purposes. The currently unregulated system of legalization has failed to address problems such as racially disproportionate enforcement, according to Dawn Lee-Carty, Executive Director of the campaign behind the initiative. To qualify for the ballot, activists would need to collect 24,835 valid signatures from registered voters. Activists recently submitted enough signatures to qualify Initiative 81, which would decriminalize psychedelics in D.C.
“Our research has always shown that a majority of Montanans support legalization, and now voters will have the opportunity to enact that policy, which will create jobs and generate new revenue for our state.” -New Approach Montana Political Director Pepper Petersen, describing the group’s successful effort to get Initiative 190 and Constitutional Initiative 118 on the November 2020 ballot.
new Cannabis retail licenses will be issued by Illinois in September, more than three months after the deadline.
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Cannabis plants were seized after two men were arrested for illegal cultivation in Bradford, England
$50m $348m
is the projected value of Virginia’s limited commercial medical Cannabis program by the year 2024.
was the jaw-dropping record amount of retail Cannabis sales reported for California in just the month of July.
By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
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interview
W H O ’ S Y O U R FAV O R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N A T I O N S T O J O S H @ A K L E A F . C O M
HeatherThomas ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH "PEOPLE OFTEN ASSUME THAT HIGH THC MEANS STRONGER, BUT OFTEN IT’S MORE ABOUT THE FULL MATRIX OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES THAT GIVE EACH STRAIN ITS ‘STRENGTH,’ AND THE EFFECTS VARY BETWEEN EACH OF US."
HOW DID YOU BECOME A BUDTENDER? I worked at a pipe shop for six years, but the owner never got serious about opening a dispensary, so I found a group of people who were on the same page as me. Once I learned the history and medicinal uses of the plant, it became clear that my community could benefit from a regulated market - I wanted to help people understand how to consume it in ways healthier than just smoking. FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? I like hearing the unique perspectives from my customers, because everyone experiences the strains a bit differently. We get all types - casual consumers to old school stoners and connoisseurs. I’m happy to rehash Cannabis jargon for those that want to hear it, but also enjoy diving into Cannabis science concepts with those that can teach me more about my favorite plant. PREFERRED WAY TO USE CANNABIS? I look for a 1:1, THC:CBD ratio and mostly use CO2 extracts. I used to be a heavy smoker and dabber, but these days I prefer to not be in ‘the fog’ from high THC strains. Full spectrum CBD tinctures and topicals are also ideal for me. ANY STRAINS AND PRODUCERS YOU WANT TO SHOUT OUT? Lightning Strike Organics has consistently impressed me with his hand trimmed, well cured flower like Chinook OG and Amchitka. I also want to mention Stoney Moose Kitchens for having recyclable/biodegradable packaging and wholesome organic ingredients.
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HOW COULD THIS INDUSTRY BE GREENER? We go through so much plastic waste. I look forward to alternative packaging made from something like hemp plastic or reusable glass jars (when the pandemic is over). This is an issue much larger than the Cannabis industry, but we should be leading the way in sustainability. HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT CANNABIS FOR A CUSTOMER? Everyone has a different definition of ‘high’ and ‘buzzed,’ so I start by asking what kind of high they are looking for beyond indica/sativa. Terpene tests come in handy when looking for strains similar to what they've enjoyed before, so I reference those often. Most of my customers are regulars - so I've come to know their preferences and am better able to recommend strains - as they give me continued feedback on what they've been trying.
aklEAF.COM
WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON QUESTION OR MISCONCEPTION YOU HEAR FROM CUSTOMERS? ‘What’s your strongest strain?’ People often assume that high THC means stronger, but often it’s more about the full matrix of cannabinoids and terpenes that give each strain its ‘strength,’ and the effects vary between each of us. WHY DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING AT TIP TOP? We keep a wide selection of strains in stock, mostly from limited cultivation facilities. There’s always something new to try! Supporting the smaller businesses is important to us and we strive to work with those who are keen on growing the best bud, which often comes in smaller batches. We do have good relationships with bigger companies though, like ACE and Greatland Ganja, that put out consistent product that clients come back for often.
TIP TOP CANNABIS 233 E 5TH AVENUE ANCHORAGE, AK (907) 644-3066 @TIPTOPPOTSHOP | OPEN 10AM-11PM DAILY
Sept, 2020
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF CANNABIS? I spend most of the Summer weekends out fishing on the Kenai River, riding ATVs and camping with friends. In my down time, I mostly watch sci-fi movies and documentaries.
INTERVIEW by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTO by O' HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF
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business highlight
TOP SHELF HERBS of ALASKA
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Top Shelf Herbs of Alaska co-owners Carrie Leimbach, Chism Leimbach and Mark Fazio.
Sept, 2020
“Mark and I got into a lot of mining adventures together and went through a lot of hard times, so we kind of felt like we deserved to help each other out.�
TOP SHELF HERBS OF ALASKA 901 Photo Ave Suite A, Anchorage (907) 222-2488 topshelfherbsofalaska.com Open daily 8am - midnight
CO-OWNER C H I S M L E I M B AC H
WALKING INTO the newly open Top Shelf Herbs of Alaska in Anchorage, the first thing you'll notice isn't the loud Cannabis themed wallpaper or Cheech and Chong's strategically placed busts. It's the booming voices of coowners Chism Leimbach and Mark Fazio. Akin to the shop's mascots, Leimbach and Fazio represent two sides of the same coin as much dissimilar as they are similar. Tough-talking Fazio grew up in Chicago, working in construction and concrete. When his business and the economy went belly-up in 2008, he temporarily relocated to Boston while plotting his next move. "I stayed with my brother in Boston. He's one of those guys who went to Cambridge and has perfect penmanship. We had the same mother and different fathers," Fazio explained with a shrug. By 2009, Fazio had his fill of the ritzy life and he packed his bags for Nome, Alaska, where he hoped he could leverage his knowledge of construction into a gold mining job on the Bering Sea. His gamble paid off unexpectedly in 2013, when working as a deckhand on a dredge named Anchor Management, Fazio was featured on Discovery Channel's hit reality show "Bering Sea Gold." But 15-minutes of fame was only one benefit of his appearance on the show, as he also connected with his future business partner. A new arrival to Nome in 2014, Leimbach brought with him 20 years of experience cultivating Cannabis in his native New Orleans. He carried a dream of one day owning his own dispensary. After a somewhat rocky first meeting, Fazio and Leimbach quickly connected over their shared love of Cannabis. "Chism [Leimbach] had actually begged me for an ounce of weed, but I told him I didn't front anyone, so he came back with the money and we ended up getting along pretty well. In Nome, white boys get together through a little bit of weed," laughed Fazio.
For the next four years, the duo made extra money on the side selling Cannabis before the town's first dispensary, Gudlief LLC., opened in 2018. "We both played some cat mouse with the state police. I used to front him pounds and he'd sell for me. Then we got legitimate," Fazio explained with a chuckle. Leimbach began working at Gudlief LLC when it opened, but after being passed over for a promotion, he decided it was time to set out on his own. After agreeing to go into business together, Leimbach and Fazio weighed the costs and benefits of opening a rival dispensary in Nome. With two dispensaries vying for business from Nome's 3,800-person population, Leimbach and Fazio decided to try their hand in the saturated Anchorage market. But mining had taken its toll on their savings, and the duo was forced to seek out a third partner. "Honestly, we lost a lot of money in mining. So much that we could have opened the store twice with what we lost," said Fazio. With a third partner secured, Leimbach and Fazio found a building in Anchorage in May 2019 and submitted their letter of intent in June. Everything looked to be going smoothly, but just as the partners prepared to submit their operating agreement to AMCO last October, their third partner decided to pull out. "It was a major blow because my wife and I had sold everything we owned to be able to move to Anchorage and invest in opening the shop," explained Leimbach. Financially hurting, Leimbach and Fazio decided that they were too far along in the process to call it quits, so they pressed on. "You know, Mark and I got into a lot of mining adventures together and went through a lot of hard times, so we kind of felt like we deserved to help each other out," said Leimbach. Their fortitude paid off as they officially opened their doors on July 18, 2020. While they are still working on honing in on their customer base, they have been able to stock their store with 21 different strains and products from Smokin' Joe, Will's World, Frontier Farms, Baked Alaska and Aurora Blaze. Leimbach and Fazio are hopeful that the combination of their prime location near the corner of Spenard and their quality products will be the difference that makes Top Shelf Herbs of Alaska stand out. "We went through hell to get here, but now we're hitting it," said Fazio with a grin.
STORY & PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF
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SHOP REVIEW
A N C H O R AG E
“THE INDUSTRIAL THEME CARRIES INTO THE MAIN SHOP AREA WITH CONCRETE FLOORS, REFURBISHED WOODEN ACCENTS, AND A CUSTOM MURAL BY ANCHORAGE’S REJOY ARMAMENTO.”
aklEAF.COM
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sept. 2020
PRODUCTS 5/5 Catalyst’s Muldoon location is well-stocked
with edibles, vape pens, concentrates and flowers, not to mention carefully curated branded swag. The shop’s edible case is an impressive blend of indica and sativa goodies from Lady Gray, MoMo’s Bakery, Baked Alaska, Good AK and Stoney Moose Kitchen, to name a few. If flowers are more your speed, Catalyst has a diverse menu of 22 indica, sativa and hybrid strains. Catalyst also carries a variety of topicals from Gron, Social and The Fay Farm for those looking for CBD.
BUDTENDERS 4/5 To meet demand, Catalyst Cannabis Co.
hired a team of 17 budtenders, 15 of which were new to the industry when the store opened. However, don’t mistake their novelty for inexperience. Schneider puts all new budtenders through the paces of an extensive curriculum that encompasses all of the store’s products and paraphernalia. New budtenders are also required to shadow an experienced budtender before beginning their first shift. The result is a communicative and collaborative team of budtenders who aren’t afraid to consult with each other to ensure the customer purchases a product that best suits their needs.
ENVIRONMENT & VIBE 4/5 With sleek dark gray siding and large
REVIEW & PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF
CATALYST CANNABIS CO. EASTSIDE Afteropening its first location in South Anchorage in
2015, Catalyst Cannabis Co. has expanded to a second location in Muldoon. The store officially opened its doors on June 27, 2020 - just days before the PFD dropped - and it has been going gangbusters ever since. But the store’s success is not a surprise to owner Will Schneider, who never goes into a business venture without doing his homework. When it came to the Muldoon location, Schneider poured over the demographics of the area to craft a unique shop that would suit the diverse neighborhood.
warehouse windows, Catalyst’s building stands out among the ‘70s era housing surrounding it. Upon entering the building, patrons are welcomed by a muted mural, stainless steel finishes and high-top wooden tables. Unlike Catalyst’s Southside location, which features an open floorplan, the Muldoon shop requires patrons to be escorted to the back by a budtender. The system both adds an extra level of security and enables patrons to work one-on-one with their budtender. The industrial theme carries into the main shop area with concrete floors, refurbished wooden accents, and a custom mural by Anchorage’s Rejoy Armamento. The minimalist approach likely won’t be your cup of tea if you prefer bright, open spaces, but it definitely appeals to the 20-somethings who are the store’s primary demographic.
HISTORY 5/5 It’s no secret that Muldoon has a bad
reputation among Anchorage residents. But where some see a lost cause, Schneider sees an opportunity for growth. With this in mind, Schneider opted to construct a new building rather than renovate a neglected one. The new building stands as a beautiful homage to Anchorage’s industrial roots and represents a dream for what Muldoon could, and in Schneider’s opinion, should be.
317 MULDOON ROAD, ANCHORAGE, AK (907) 222-6847 CATALYSTCANNABISCO.COM OPEN 8AM-MIDNIGHT DAILY
willsworldalaska.com willsworld_ak@outlook.com @ wills_world_extracts
THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR
Lic # 12536 1) Marijuana has intoxicating ef fec t s and may be habit forming and addic tive. (2) Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machiner y under it s inf luence. (3) There are health risk s associated with the consumption of marijuana. (4) F o r u s e b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n . ( 5 ) M a r i j u a n a s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d b y w o m e n w h o a r e p r e g n a n t o r b r e a s t f e e d i n g .
Creamy
Please Chews Responsibly Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.
aklEAF.COM
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sept. 2020
LEMON ME
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
A BRIGHT AND FRESH ZAP OF SWEET CITRUS FLAVORS, WITH AN EFFERVESCENT FIZZYNESS THAT TICKLES THE NOSE.
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GROWN BY THE FIRE SUPPLY
020 may be the year that the whole world was given an abundance of lemons, but us ingenuitive stoners know that Cannabis is the best medicine to help turn sour lemons into an uplifting buzz. Lemon Meringue is more than just a celebrated pie. This euphoric strain was created by crossing Lemon Skunk with Cookies and Cream for a delicious flavor that melts into the mouth like a sugary bite of Lemon Kush. Popping open a bag of this light green bud releases a bright and fresh zap of sweet citrus flavors, with an effervescent fizzyness that tickles the nose while breaking up a bowl. Frosty with trichomes and cured with care, the flower breaks up easily and is perfect for giant tokes of smokey dessert. First tokes carry through the Cookies and Cream lineage, with a creamy earthiness that Energetic and balances out the sweeter pain relieving, flavors and delivers a Lemon Meringue complex and lovely hit, tingling the palate on offers up dank, exhale. The smoke is euphoric effects. extremely smooth and lightly expansive, filling the lungs with a warming energy that quickly heads into the mind. Known for energetic, pain relieving and euphoric effects, the Lemon Meringue is perfect for daytime use or whenever a pick-meup is necessary. While we are all fighting the quarantine blues and stress of uncertainty, it’s important to remember the little things and how lucky we are to see Cannabis as an essential business. This strain is a perfect mood elevator and the relaxing body effects will help make the day a little easier, and certainly stonier. With a happy high and a sweet flavor, enjoy the last bit of Summer vibes by indulging in a slice of Lemon Meringue - you’ve definitely earned dessert, adult-style.
ERINGUE
28.8% THC 3.42% CBD Available from The Tree House AK
REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF @AKLEAFMAG | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
tannins & terpenes issue
TANNINS & TERPENES
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PAIRING CANNABIS
WHAT ARE TANNINS? WHAT ARE TERPENES? WHY DO THEY MATTER? Well, you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Both tannins and terpenes are organic substances found in a wide variety of plants. These compounds have similar roles within the consumable products they’re fabricated into.
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* TANNINS are astringent phenolic molecules that are most commonly found in wood, but also found in everything from foods like grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mint and basil, to beverages like wine, tea, kombucha, cider and beer. Tannins are bitter and also tend to cause a drying effect on the tongue - think the ‘pucker’ of red wine. * TERPENES are a large and diverse class of organic hydrocarbons produced by a variety of plants and some insects. These molecules have strong odors and are largely responsible for dictating the smell and effect of a particular Cannabis strain. Terpenes are the primary constituents of essential oils and are also used in food, cosmetics and biotechnology.
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* TANNINS AND TERPENES not only contribute to the experience of consuming the products they exist within, they are directly responsible for a significant portion of it. As a generally curious bunch, we dedicate this Tannins & Terpenes Issue to exploring the relationship between these two compounds and sharing our findings with you. Enjoy! -NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
sept. 2020
WINE
TA N N I N S
BIG SIPPER SWEET RED 13.5% ABV >> In the complex world of wine,
there are thousands of labels, flavors and options to choose from. How overwhelming! Sometimes it’s nice to cozy up with a simple, budget bottle of vino, and no brand does this better than Big Sipper Wine. With sugary bold flavor and a fun fizzy body, this is one that will have you coming back for more! TERPENES
DENALI DISPENSARIES TROPICANA COOKIES
SATIVA HYBRID >> There is something magical about purple Cannabis, and these frosty violet nuggets deliver a visual appeal unlike any other weed featured this month. The buds are dark and almost black, with deep purple coloring offset by the coating of white, snow-like trichomes covering the surface of the flowers. Created by crossing the classic Girl Scout Cookies with the newly-infamous Tangie, the Tropicana Cookies combines the best of both worlds for a beautiful and flavorful experience.
THE PAIRING
Treating yourself is incredibly important, especially during these strange times. Nothing says self care like a glass of wine, a super tasty Cannabis strain and a relaxing experience of your choice. Whether choosing a long soak in the tub or taking in a late summer campfire, this pairing is all about chilling out and finding a happy buzz. The fizzy bold berries of the wine pair perfectly with the bold fruity cookies of the flower. The buds have a bright Tangie finish that really comes out in the sweet smoke, helping clear the palate for the next toke and sip. The uplifting euphoria of the flower settles in for a stoney happy buzz, with the wine lightly dulling the edges for a hybrid pairing that is chill, content and well-deserved.
camomiwinery.com / denalidispensaries.com
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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tannins & terpenes issue
BEER
TA N N I N S
ALASKAN BREWING CO FIREWEED BLONDE
4.5% ABV >> As most Alaskans know, fireweed
is not what you buy at the local dispensary, it’s a native plant that produces beautiful flowers and makes delicious, sweet honey. This limited release Fireweed Blonde is brewed with that very honey infused, delivering a light and easy to drink beer that reminds us that beer can be both light and tasty. Grab this limited edition blonde while it’s still available! TERPENES
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SWEET MATANUSKA GREEN SHERBET BOWSER
18.9% THC >> There is nothing more beautiful
than a giant, perfectly sculpted bud that is cured perfectly and ready to smoke. That’s why we picked the Sherbet Bowser for our cover pairing, matching impeccable looks and bud structure with intense flavors and effects. The Sherbet Bowser is bright and syrupy with hints of honey and sugary Kush that reveal the Pink Cookies in the genetic lineage. The light lime green buds are coated with trichomes and orange hairs, boasting a perfect cure and a rich lemon cookie inhale.
THE PAIRING
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First tokes off the Sherbet Bowser make the second half of the name clear as powerful waves of thought-slowing stoniness crash over the active brain, dulling the edges in a perfect way. The smoke is sweet and easy on the lungs, but leaves behind a sense of cottonmouth as the frontal lobes numb and the brain sinks into simple thought patterns. The main thought being: It’s time for a tasty beverage, and the light and sweet Fireweed Blonde is the perfect companion to a stoned, cottonmouth stricken connoisseur. Refreshed by the easy drinking nature of the Blonde, it is easy to again return for more tokes of the Sherbet Bowser - eventually resulting in a glued to the couch, happy daze that is the perfect way to end a long day of work or play.
alaskanbeer.com / sweetmatanuskagreen.com
sept. 2020
CIDER
TA N N I N S
INCLINE CIDER THE LEGEND LEMONGRASS CIDER
6.5% ABV >> Craft cider comes in a big variety
of styles and flavor profiles, and we must admit, we love options that break away from the traditional sweet apple flavors. Incline Cider is made in Washington with apples grown in-state, and the family-owned company is focused on unique and craft flavors. The Legend is an easy drinking and refreshing cider that’s perfectly sour and not overly sweet, making it perfect for an afternoon treat or an end of day dessert. TERPENES
ALASKA CANNABIS EXCHANGE BIG FARMA 24.12% THC >> Cannabis is the antithesis of
big pharma, which refers to the giant corporations that control our healthcare for profit. As many Cannabis patients and users have chosen the plant over pills, we find it deliciously ironic to smoke a strain called Big Farma. With bright gassy lemon notes and a stoney, behind the eyes THC smackdown, this is one strain that will put belief of herbal medicine into the mind - and lungs.
THE PAIRING
Beautiful light green and frosty foxtail buds are bursting with loud flavors that intoxicate from the first crack of a jar. Brilliant gassy lemons meet hazy OG Kush classic vibes for a delicious flavor profile that is both sweet and sour when smoked, filling the body and mind with a cerebral stoney buzz and relaxed, loose limbs. This is the definition of a feel good strain and when it’s chased by a refreshing sip of The Legend cider, blends perfectly with the citrus and grapefruit notes, finishing lightly grassy and tart. A perfect combination to roll a joint and trade sips for puffs, by the end of both, your day will be on a lovely incline towards supreme chillaxation.
inclinecider.com / cannabisace.com
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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tannins & terpenes issue
SELTZER
TA N N I N S
SEVEN PEAKS RASPBERRY COSMO HARD SELTZER
4.7% ABV, 19.2 OZ >> Seven Peaks Hard Seltzer
combines mountain sourced water from the Cascade watershed with alcohol derived from Northwest apples, in a fully NW combination that honors our outdoor spirit. Made in Bend, Oregon, five percent of each sale of the Raspberry Cosmo is donated to Big City Mountaineers, which makes this tasty beverage doubly worthy. Refreshing and easy drinking without the artificial and tinny flavors of the big seltzer brands, this is a refined and clean beverage worthy of the mountain label.
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TERPENES
FREEDOM 49 FARMS UFC HEAVY INDICA >> The UFC fighting league is known for high power, hard-hitting fighters that are fearless in the ring. Given the namesake, the UFC strain carries the same vibe with intense and heavy indica vibes that crash into the body as quickly as the intense flavor oozes from the pretty flower. These big, sticky buds reek of earthy piney dankness that is reminiscent of early skunk strains, with a hashy finish that begs to be lit up like a heavyweight in the fifth round. Available at Matanuska Cannabis Company.
THE PAIRING
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Incredibly frosty and sticky in the best way, this loud flower smokes sweet and easy. The high is unique, as it frees the mind with a content and stress relieving clarity, while relaxing the body and chilling the external senses. This matches perfectly with the crisp and clean experience of the seltzer, which delivers the satisfaction of a bubbly alcoholic beverage without the excessive sugar, hops and yeasts found in traditional beers and ciders. The two combine for a crisp and clean buzz that feels like the top of a mountain, even from the living room.
sevenpeaksseltzer.com / @freedom49farms
sept. 2020
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
TANNINS & TERPENES ISSUE
CANNABIS & CAFFEINE
PRODUCTIVE PAIRINGS
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House of Cultivar Orange Vines paired with Green Tea HOUSE OF CULTIVAR ORANGE VINES
The Orange Vines taste like a kiss of sunshine hitting an orange grove in the peak of harvest, transporting the mind to a grassy patch under trees heavy with ripe fruit. Covered in layers of delicious crystals, the beautiful orange hairs ooze with citrus and gassy sap that awakens the mind and brightens the senses with a perfectly stoney bliss (20.5% THC).
GREEN TEA
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Since green tea’s accidental discovery as a beverage in 2737 B.C., it has been enjoyed as a mental stimulant and as a daily beverage in many cultures. With a sweet and nutty taste known all over the world, many people today are turning to tea instead of coffee for a jolt of mental clarity, and a variety of different flavor options. While this pairing focuses on green tea, combining different Cannabis strains with tea can deliver positive effects for the start, middle or end of the day.
THE PAIRING
Mt. Baker Homegrown Gelato 33 & Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee MT. BAKER HOMEGROWN GEL ATO 33
Gelato 33 is a cross between the Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. Grown with love and attention to detail, this beautiful flower is frosty and rich with orange and berry notes, hiding gassy Cookies in the background. Classics would call this a stoney hybrid, with slowed down contemplative thoughts and a light-feeling, powerfully relaxed body high (27.32% THC).
STUMPTOWN COLD BREW COFFEE
Originating in Japan and brewed in the Northwest, the Stumptown Cold Brew is a smooth and tasty way to experience lower acid coffee right out of the fridge. Cold brewed coffee is made by soaking coarse ground beans for 12-24 hours, resulting in a higher caffeine brew that doesn’t have the oils and fatty acids of hot brewed coffee. This delivers different flavor profiles and a smooth taste, whether enjoyed black or with a favorite cream or flavor.
THE PAIRING
We sipped a freshly brewed cup of green tea on a lazy weekend, when morning had already become afternoon. Looking for a pick-me-up that wouldn’t cause brain fog or a later energy crash, the first step was breaking up the flower while the tea brewed. The aromatic citrus of the Orange Vines awakens the senses, and the first tokes are bright and energetic with a syrupy exhale. The tea follows big hits with a mellow, sweeter taste that balances the palate and clears the way for the next hit. Enjoying both led to a lightly caffeinated body buzz and electric cerebral effects, with the mind gloriously uplifted and sparkling with a happy and fun high.
Known as a hippie speedball, or occasionally as a Seattle speedball, the combination of coffee and Cannabis is truly a match made in heaven. Nothing pushes the senses forward while simultaneously dulling them like the sweet bliss of being speedballed in the morning. Our favorite buzz combines a heavier or stonier strain with strong coffee, to allow the effects to balance and meet in the middle. Hence, a speedball. The stoney euphoria of the Gelato 33 delivers a perfectly grinning daytime buzz, while the high caffeine content and strong, chocolatey flavor of the cold brew wash it all down with a perfect amount of pep in this writer’s step.
@HOUSE.OF.CULTIVAR
@MTBAKERHG / STUMPTOWNCOFFEE.COM/COLD-BREW
Sept, 2020
Evolvd Lemon Diesel CO2 Cartridge & Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate EVOLVD LEMON DIESEL CO2 CARTRIDGE
When it comes to curing the midday blues, we often turn to a 1:1 CBD cartridge or a concentrate high in CBG. Luckily we had this Lemon Diesel cartridge ready to go, with nearly 5% CBG and a heady dose of THC and terpenes. CBG is not only highly medicinal - fighting inflammation, pain and nausea while fighting cancer and IBS - it is also a supreme mood stabilizer. CBG releases anandamide, the body’s native ‘bliss’ molecule, which can help with anxiety and provide a happy, uplifting vibe. Choosing either a CBD or CBG-rich high in the afternoon can help with productivity, especially when paired with a little caffeine. 67.95% THC 0.10% CBD 4.86% CBG 7.73% Terpenes
GUAYAKI ORGANIC YERBA MATE RASPBERRY TERERÉ
Yerba Mate is a tea-based beverage made from the plant’s leaves, from which the drink draws its name. Served hot or cold traditionally, today a wide variety of flavors and carbonated or noncarbonated options exist to tease taste buds and deliver a potent caffeine buzz. With less acid than coffee, many choose a bottle or can of yerba mate in place of a cup of coffee or energy drink. Yerba Mate also contains B and C vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthful choice when making a T&T pairing.
Artizen Dutchberry Flower & GT’s Synergy Kombucha ARTIZEN DUTCHBERRY
Artizen is one of the largest producers of Cannabis in Washington, and they’ve found success by maintaining their craft approach and love for the plant as the company has grown. Their 27% THC Dutchberry is a combination of DJ Short Blueberry and Dutch Treat, delivering a ton of happy energy and a unique flavor profile that combines the deep Blueberry of the DJ Short with the hazy, piney freshness of the Dutch Treat.
SYNERGY GRAPE CHIA KOMBUCHA
Kombucha is a fizzy and fermented tea drink with as many flavor offerings as potential health benefits. The full line of GT’s Kombuchas are raw and organic with live cultures, probiotics and active enzymes. These help support gut health, ease digestion and boost immunity. Perfect for an afternoon or evening substitute for alcohol, or a mid-morning boost, kombucha offers a unique world of fun and fizzy drinks.
THE PAIRING
Perfect for on the go, both the resealable bottle and the portable nature of the cartridge make this a great daytime pairing. The Lemon Diesel slips into the lungs with a bright citrus inhale and an earthy-gas tingle on the exhale. The terpenes and CBG interact wondrously, dropping a blissful euphoria onto the mind, while relaxing the body without slowing it down. The Raspberry Terere is perfect to wash down the vapor, with a lightly sweet berry-tea flavor that is both refreshing and energizing. After a dozen healthy puffs and a full bottle of mate, we were completely ready for whatever the day had to offer, adventures guaranteed.
The Dutchberry bursts with rich berry flavors that swirl around the palate as visions of dark sweet berries fill the mind. Much like the fizzy pops of the kombucha as it’s being poured, the aroma of the Dutchberry grabs all the senses while waiting to be consumed. Taking a bright and smooth inhale of the flower delivers a sunny euphoria that melts the mind into the body. Chasing a hit with a sip of the grape-forward drink is refreshing and rewarding, as the bubbles tingle and are chased down with the yummy chia for a little added texture in the finish. Nutritious and uplifting, this pairing will help keep motivation high during a long afternoon, or is the perfect alternative to an alcoholic happy hour.
EVOLVDCANNABIS.COM / @EVOLVDCANNABIS / GUAYAKI.COM / @GUAYAKI
ARTIZENCANNABIS.COM / @ARTIZENCANNABIS / GTSLIVINGFOODS.COM
THE PAIRING
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS | STYLING by MIKE AHMAN @MIKE.AHMANN
TANNINS & TERPENES ISSUE
“Up through the Civil War, Black people did all the brewing in the United States. Brewing, distilling, this is really hard work. And it was done by enslaved people.” - GARRETT OLIVER
aklEAF.COM
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Garrett Oliver Brewmaster | Brooklyn Brewery >> READING THROUGH the stories in last month’s Equality Issue, two things became clear: On one hand,
an inspiring number of amazing people and organizations fight tirelessly against systemic racism and inequity to ensure that the future of the Cannabis industry doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. On the other hand, the industry has a long road ahead if we’re going to achieve real equity.
Sept, 2020
S
ince this is our annual Tannins and Terpenes Issue, the Leaf editorial team saw an opportunity to view the equity issues facing the Cannabis community through the lens of its closest analog - the alcohol industry. For that task, I called on an icon from my time in the beer industry: Garrett Oliver. As the brewmaster at the helm of the legendary Brooklyn Brewery out of New York City, Oliver has been one of a small but slowly growing number of Black brewers working in the United States. Since entering the industry in 1989, he has become one of the most prominent brewmasters in the world, of any race or gender. But it hasn’t been easy. “For a long time, I was the only Black brewer that anyone saw or knew,” Oliver said over a Zoom call in August. With a laugh, he recalled moments when racial preconceptions led people to assume that he held a subordinate position at his brewery. “They would come to the brewery and they would walk right past me, and shake the hand of my (white) assistant, Kurt, and say, ‘Hello, Garrett,’” Oliver said. “And Kurt would point at me and say, ‘Garrett’s over there.’” Considering Oliver’s achievements, that’s a staggering mistake to make. He edited the “Oxford Companion to Beer” and authored “The Brewmaster’s Table,” considered by many to be the definitive guide to pairing beer and food. He even earned a James Beard award for his trailblazing work in the craft beer industry. The man sweats excellence. In July, he announced his most ambitious project yet - the formation of The Michael Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling (www.themjf.org) - named after the legendary beer and spirits writer of the same name, one of Oliver’s early mentors. Here, their core mission is “funding the technical education and career advancement for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the brewing and distilling industries.” Few people are better equipped to address where the beer industry has been and where it needs to go in its search for equality than Oliver. Over the course of our conversation, it became clear that the beer and Cannabis communities share an uncannily similar history, and both must cut the same path into the future.
When discussing the history of brewing, Oliver addresses the roots of inequity in terms that sound all too familiar to anyone versed in the history of Cannabis. “Up through the Civil War, Black people did all the brewing in the United States,” he said. “Brewing, distilling, this is really hard work. And it was done by enslaved people.” As slavery ended, the labor became paid, and then subsequently became unionized during the Industrial Revolution. At that point, the makeup of the beer industry started to change. “When an industry that might be a home industry - like brewing was at one point - then turns into an industry that can make money, women are forced out, and people of color are forced out,” Oliver said. “Ask yourself why, in a restaurant, are the cooks women and people of color, and the chefs are white men? Well, which makes money?” According to a February 2020 dataset from the Brewer’s Association, out of all breweries where ownership is made up of a single gender, 96% are male. In terms of race, BA reports that non-management production staff are 76.2% white and brewers are 89% white. It’s a familiar song. Like beer, the Cannabis industry grew from historically diverse roots, in this case because the risk associated with illegal activity dissuaded participation by people with historically reliable means to make money via traditional, legal avenues - i.e., straight, white men. Disenfranchised people who have been systematically oppressed by the system - racial minorities and disadvantaged communities - looked to Cannabis as a means of survival outside of the traditional markets. Ever since Cannabis became legal in multiple states, the regulated industry has followed the same trend of whitewashing that plagued the beer industry. In our August 2020 Equality Issue, we reported on the severe lack of female and non-white ownership in the fledgling Maryland Cannabis industry. Additionally, a 2019 report by MJBiz Daily revealed that only 16.4% of Cannabis businesses in Ohio are minority-owned, and Massachusetts boasts a paltry 1.4%. MJBiz used Ohio and Massachusetts because they gather the most reliable, robust diversity data, and both states’ figures are
set against the national average of 19.8% minority-owned non-Cannabis businesses, according to the report. That absurdly low national number speaks volumes to the systemic problem of inequity across all industries. The real head-scratcher, however, is that neither the beer nor the Cannabis industry comes close to meeting even that low bar. After all, aren’t beer and weed known for bringing people together? Though he’s not involved in the Cannabis industry, Oliver knows the score. “We used to put you in jail,” he said, referring to minorities working in the unregulated market. “But now that these VC (venture capital) people have shown up, and people are going to make money, and the government’s going to get their taxes - now you’re out (of the industry).”
THE MAGIC WORD
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From Oliver’s point of view, the blueprint for equity comes down to three syllables. “My one word would be mindfulness,” he said. “All you have to do, really, is spend some time thinking about it.” Part of what’s been working in the beer industry, he says, are events like Fresh Fest, the country’s first beer festival showcasing Black brewers and Black presenters. “I thought, why are they doing that? Why don’t African Americans just go to a regular beer festival? And then I went and it was not a segregated beer festival, it was the most diverse beer festival I have ever seen,” Oliver said. “I had never seen hundreds of African AmeriGarrett Oliver, center, with Day Bracey, left, and Ed Bailey, right, cans geeking out over craft beer. And I founders of Fresh Fest, the first-ever Black beer festival.
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PORTRAITS by MATT FURMAN @FURMANPHOTO | BROOKLYNBREWERY.COM | @BROOKLYNBREWERY
COURTESY FRESH FEST
S A M E R O O T, D I F F E R E N T P L A N T
thought, where have these people been?” Oliver says it’s vital for business operators to prioritize equity and diversity. “On a list of things to do, equity is going to be number 15 on the list,” he said. “When have you ever gotten to number 15 on a list of things to do? Sheetrock this wall, lay this piping, and then number 15 is equity. When are you ever going to get to equity? If you don’t move it up the list, you’ll never get to it. And that’s mindfulness.” Through his work at The MJF, Oliver strives to provide mentorship, education and financial support to members of the BIPOC community who are looking to enter the brewing world. The hope is to set them up with the necessary experience to land leadership positions and change the landscape, one professional at a time. When it comes to mindful action, the regulated Cannabis industry already has a roughly 100-year head start on the beer industry, which carved its ruts in the road of racial inequity many decades ago. Like The MJF does for beer, groups like Portland, Ore.-based NuLeaf Project and the Last Prisoner Project work to build equity infrastructure while the industry is still young. Local municipalities have gotten involved - the Equity Permit Program in Oakland, Calif. has taken huge leaps to avoid the disenfranchisement of the people who built the industry in the unregulated market. Here they’ve established criteria for licensee eligibility that requires applicants have either a Cannabis conviction in the past 22 years or a 10-year residency in a neighborhood with disproportionate Cannabis arrests, plus individual income at 80% or less than the city’s average. While industry statistics still don’t resemble the ideal, one thing is obvious: Of all industries, the newly legal Cannabis market stands the best chance to do things right from the start. As Oliver says, it all comes down to mindful action. And that, at its heart, is what the Cannabis community is all about.
cooking with cannabis
STONED SUMMER
Same crazy world, with no end in sight. As we all try to stay safe with our masks and our hand sanitizer, try to remember what you have to be thankful for. And help make the changes we need to be the world we want to have - a healthy planet, equal justice and peace for everyone. Try, we all need to try. These recipes were infused with Noble Farms Royal Wedding, and a bit of Wesley’s Wish CBD from East Fork Cultivars. #BlackLivesMatter #DontFearTheEdible #EatYourCannabis
STEAK & ROASTED POTATO SALAD
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1. In a medium bowl whisk together the vinegar and oils. Add the cumin, salt and pepper. Set aside. 2. In a medium skillet heat the canola oil. Add the scallion, cooked potato and beans, and sauté for 4-5 minutes. 3. In a large mixing bowl combine all the remaining ingredients. 4. Toss the dressing with the steak and vegetables and serve. Serves 4.
>> This is my absolute favorite smoothie. Refreshing, tasty and calming, now when we need it most.
PISTACHIO LIME SMOOTHIE
4 tablespoons sherry vinegar 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon cumin salt, pepper
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree. 2. Garnish with pistachios. 1 ½ cups almond milk, or preferred milk
¼ cup lime juice concentrate
1 whole avocado, peeled and pit removed
2-4 tablespoons honey
1 banana, peeled and sliced
4 tablespoons pistachios
1 lime, cut in chunks
2 teaspoons canna-oil
1 tablespoon canola oil
>> You can always change the meat or veggies. The last time I made this, I turned the leftovers into a tasty sandwich on a toasted roll.
2 scallions, in pieces 2 pounds cooked potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks 1 cup cooked green beans, trimmed and cut in pieces ½ cup chopped red onion 16 ounces steak, grilled to desired degree of doneness, cut in chunks 4 radishes, thinly sliced
aklEAF.COM
4 cups chopped romaine
>> This dish would also be wonderful with the addition of shrimp, tofu, scallops or chicken. Feel free to use spinach instead of arugula. Although many pesto recipes are made with pine nuts, their current price point has made walnuts my go-to. No regrets here.
Sept, 2020
1. In a food processor or blender combine the arugula, walnuts, garlic, salt and pepper. 2. Drizzle in the olive oils. 3. Turn the pesto into a serving bowl and stir in the Parmesan. 4. In a large saucepot bring salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. 5. Drain the pasta, return to saucepot off heat, and toss with the pesto and the remaining bunch of arugula. 6. Divide the pasta between the plates, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with some grated Parmesan. Serves 4-6.
ARUGULA & PESTO SPAGHETTI
6 cups arugula, packed
Salt
½ cup walnuts
Pepper
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 lb. pasta
½ cup olive oil
1 bunch arugula, rinsed, dried
2-3 tablespoons canna-olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup grated Parmesan
Small chunk Parmesan for grating
RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF
NOW OPEN AT TWO ANCHORAGE LOCATIONS! Southside
9900 Old Seward Hwy
&
Eastside
317 Muldoon Rd
concentrate of the month
GELATOG TERP SUGAR Sweet and gassy, this high terpene concentrate from Fireweed Extracts captures the essence of both Gelato and OG for a unique and delicious dabbing collaboration. The GelatOG is a cross between Gelato and OG Kush, two legends in their own right that make a spectacular combination. Gelato is known for sweet flavors and a heavy, stoney euphoria that has spurned dozens of crosses in the last few years. OG Kush is definitely more of a classic, with gassy-lemon-skunk notes that lead a happy and giggly high. We couldn’t wait to fill our lungs with this tasty fuel - from the first sour-earthy whiff it was clear that this strain was going to be fire. The oil has a golden hue and the soft consistency of terp sugar, making it easy to grab a perfect sized dab each time. Opening a jar releases warm pine and earthy citrus notes that are both sweet and complex, an effect that becomes stronger when dabbed. The inhale is almost spicy, with a sharp expansion and big clouds on the exhale. Effects settle in quickly and bring a relaxed and happy euphoria that is also completely stoney. With a little time slowing and silliness to sparkle the mind, the GelatOG can change the whole mood in one tasty dab. Perfect for a stressful afternoon or to relax at the end of the day, this is the perfect choice for any time which calls for getting stoned.
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>> 6 6 . 3 5 % T H C
/ .24%
CBD
/
5.02% TERPENES
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PROCESSED BY FIREWEED EXTRACTS CULTIVATED BY MR. HAPPY FARMS With a little time slowing and silliness to sparkle the mind, the GelatOG can change the whole mood in one tasty dab.
sept, 2020
REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
Full-extract ethanol hash oil expertly crafted into a cannabis tincture, ready for edible consumption. Glass dropper for precise THC micro-dosing. Enjoy under the tongue or swallowed.
EXPERT OPINION aklEAF.COM
40
language barriers Why do brands and budtenders alike cling to terms taken from 18th century definitions?
C
alling a particular product sativa or indica is much like describing a wine by its vine. It is interesting information if you enjoy plant morphology, but falls short when relaying the nuances of effect, aroma and taste. Yet here we are today, drowning in the vagueness of these words. They are marketed on every item and muttered by the bulk of budtenders. From dispensaries to the mainstream media, we can’t escape these persistent plant identifiers. The terms sativa and indica have come a long way from their original definitions: ones that focused on geographical origin and plant structure. Despite a constant flow of community conversation on the matter, they remain widely misused. In a 1753 publication titled Species Plantarum (one of the first works to present a system of scientific nomenclature), a Swedish botanist named Carl Linnaeus introduced the name Cannabis sativa. At that time, Linnaeus described but one species of hemp (of the sativa variety). It wasn’t until European naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck listed another in 1785 that the world was introduced to “Cannabis indica.”
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A British Medical Journal piece by editor Geoff Watts explains that Lamarck originally distinguished Cannabis sativa from the indica variety “on the basis of several characteristics including their firm stems, thin bark, and the shape of their leaves and flowers.” In a 2016 publication called Cannabis Taxonomy: The Sativa vs. Indica Debate, Robert Clarke and Dr. Mark Merlin observe that Lamarck named the second species Cannabis indica - meaning ‘Cannabis from India’ - after the first wave of this “highly psychoactive plant” reached Europe. While Linnaeus observed the hemp-like, narrow-leafed, low THC characteristics of Europe’s plants being grown for fiber, Lamarck documented India’s wide-leafed, high-potency plants grown for hashish. The high-potency plants that were observed as “indica” may have something to do with the classification’s reputation as heavy hitting and sleepy. Originally grown for their fiber production and low THC, sativas became well known as light or uplifting. This knowledge gives us insight into the way these words are used today. But our scientific evidence has grown a great deal since the 18th century, and we now have access to a neverending network of information at our fingertips. It’s easier than ever to learn about strain lineage, cannabinoids, terpenes, and the synergy of mechanisms like the entourage effect that affect the human body far beyond what simplified categories of Cannabis can relay. So, why do brands and budtenders alike cling to terms taken from 18th century definitions? These classifications were never put down on paper as a way to describe effects and if they were, years of evolution and breeding would have rendered them obsolete in the 2020 market. There’s no question that regulation has played a part in the industry simplification of classifying Cannabis. Companies can’t legally make medical claims and are limited in how they describe products. The State of Oregon doesn’t require terpene testing either, so many companies don’t see the need to test every product for a complete profile. With only parts of the puzzle (like THC and CBD) required on Oregon Cannabis labels, it is admittedly difficult to assess the outcome of particular products.
“There are biochemically distinct strains of Cannabis, but the sativa/indica distinction as commonly applied in the lay literature is total nonsense and an exercise in futility. One cannot in any way currently guess the biochemical content of a given Cannabis plant based on its height, branching, or leaf morphology...It is essential that future commerce allows complete and accurate cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles to be available.” -Dr. Ethan Russo The solution? Consumer education and conscientious company branding. Educate your staff, encourage terpene testing and take time to use alternative product descriptors. Tempted to describe a strain’s effects as sativa? Try terms like uplifting, focused or energetic. Got an inclination to say indica? Try talking about sleepiness, heaviness or relaxation. There are a plethora of descriptors that will avoid rustling regulator’s feathers over medical claims. When thorough terpene testing isn’t available, there are many ways to read about common cultivar characteristics. Clarifying that there is no need to throw out the terms sativa and indica should soothe any sour feelings this far into the conversation - after all, they are irrefutably relevant to growers and breeders identifying the morphological characteristics of plants. But drastically limiting the use of this tacky terminology on the consumer side would serve this and future Cannabis communities well. Generalizing the massive variety of benefits is damaging to normalization efforts, the medical movement and consumerism alike. Narrowing presentation down to sativa, indica or hybrid severely limits the long list of incredibly valuable effects Cannabis can provide. Amanda Day is a multimedia artist and journalist based in Eugene, OR who has worked for Leaf Nation since 2019.
STORY by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA | ILLUSTRATION by SVTDESIGN
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WORLD OF CANNABIS PRESENTS
HOMAGE DOCTOR TO THE
R E M E M B E R I NG D R . LE STE R G R I N S PO O N
June 24, 1928 - June 25, 2020
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As the 1960s drew to a close and newly-elected president Richard Nixon was codifying his anti-drug agenda into law, a handful of pro-pot activists arose to challenge those efforts. These reformers found an unlikely and invaluable ally in a brilliant middle-aged professor from Harvard named Lester Grinspoon. Grinspoon received his doctorate in psychiatry from Harvard Medical School in 1955. It was while teaching there in 1965 that he met young astronomer Carl Sagan at a faculty dinner. The two bonded over their opposition to the Vietnam War, sparking a lifelong friendship. But Grinspoon was shocked to learn that Sagan and others in their intellectual circle enjoyed smoking marijuana. Both intrigued by Sagan’s affinity for cannabis and concerned by what he believed was a dangerous habit, Grinspoon did what any scientist worth their salt might do—he started researching it.
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MARIHUANA RECONSIDERED
When he began his study of marijuana in 1967, Grinspoon’s initial intention was to “define scientifically the nature and degree of those dangers” and persuade Sagan to stop using it. Instead, he reached the opposite conclusion—that cannabis was “remarkably non-toxic” and that it may have some beneficial medicinal applications. Grinspoon published his findings in the December 1969 edition of Scientific American, in an article called simply “Marihuana.” “Based on the reaction to that [article], he was encouraged to do a book-length exposition of what he had learned,” Grinspoon’s son
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David recalls, “which was basically that he’d been brainwashed along with everybody else into thinking that marijuana was this dangerous substance.” Two years later, he published Marihuana Reconsidered (Harvard University Press), an instant classic in which he dispels many of the myths surrounding the much-maligned herb. “I have concluded,” Grinspoon writes, “that marijuana is a relatively safe intoxicant which is not addicting, does not in and of itself lead to the use of harder drugs, is not criminogenic, and does not lead to sexual excess.” The only real harm associated with cannabis was, he noted, “the way we as a society were dealing with people who use it.” The book also contains an essay extolling the plant’s virtues by an anonymous cannabis user dubbed ‘Mr. X,’ whose identity remained a family secret for over 30 years. Mr. X, it turned out, had been Sagan all along—a fact that Grinspoon only revealed after Sagan’s death in 1996. The impact of Marihuana Reconsidered was immense and immediate—disdained and disowned by his Harvard peers, but extolled by the fledgling legalization community, for whom it was a valuable resource and a validation of their mission. “Lester, without question, was the intellectual leader of the entire movement from the moment his book was published in 1971,” asserts NORML founder Keith Stroup. “Lester Grinspoon’s book was the Bible.”
NEMESIS OF NIXON
Thanks to his book, Dr. Grinspoon quickly became a thorn in President Nixon’s side. After reading a New York Times review of Marijhuana Reconsidered in his daily brief, Nixon launched into an an anti-Semitic tirade. “Every one of the
bastards that are out for the legalization of marijuana is Jewish!” he complained in his infamous oval office recordings. “What the Christ is the matter with the Jews?” Nixon then circled Grinspoon’s name and scribbled in the margin below: “This clown is far on the left.” “When Lester saw that, he was delighted,” says David. “He said, ‘Wow—I made it onto the enemies list of one of history’s biggest assholes!’” The same year that Marihuana Reconsidered was published, he was called to testify before the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse (aka the Shafer Commission). Nixon appointed the commission to investigate cannabis’ potential harm to bolster his argument for categorizing it as a Schedule I drug under his new Controlled Substances Act. Stroup, who first met Grinspoon at these hearings, recalls being impressed by his confidence. “He was so self-assured, so comfortable with his own intellect, that he showed no signs of being intimidated. He was the most powerful person testifying at those hearings.” Grinspoon’s testimony proved highly effective. When the commission released its final report in 1972 (“Marihuana, a Signal of Misunderstanding”), it concluded that cannabis was in fact not a danger to society, and even recommended decriminalizing it (which Nixon ignored).
JOHN LENNON
Later that year, Grinspoon was called to testify on another high-profile case—at the deportation hearings for John Lennon. After Lennon had campaigned against the president’s reelection, Nixon tried to use a past “cannabis resin” possession charge as a basis to kick Lennon out of the country. Thanks to Grinspoon’s testimony, Lennon’s lawyer Leon Wildes argued that “resin” was a secretion of cannabis, but not technically marijuana, and therefore the immigration law citing “narcotics and mar-
STORY by BOBBY BLACK @WORLDOFCANNABISMUSEUM for LEAF NATION | PHOTOGRAPH by TODD MCCORMICK
ijuana” didn’t legally apply. After three years in court, Wildes finally won the case and Lennon got his green card. To show their gratitude, John and Yoko took Grinspoon out to dinner, sent him flowers, and gifted him with albums autographed to his sons Danny and David. (Side note: It was one of Lennon’s albums— The Beatles’ masterpiece Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band—that “astounded” Grinspoon after getting high with Sagan for the first time, some two years after Marihuana Reconsidered was published.)
FAMILY TRAGEDY
Dr. Grinspoon witnessed cannabis’ medicinal efficacy first-hand when he and his wife Betsy administered it to their teenage son Danny. Danny had been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and was suffering from nausea and vomiting after his chemotherapy...but after smoking a few hits from a joint before each treatment, those symptoms disappeared—dramatically increasing his quality of life and morale. Sadly, Danny lost his battle with leukemia in 1973, but his case led to the first scientific study on cannabis for nausea.
THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA MOVEMENT
Grinspoon went on to author many other books about illicit drugs throughout the 1970s and 80s. Then in 1993, he co-authored a second book about cannabis called Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine (with Harvard Law professor James Bakalar)— a compendium of anecdotes that further explored the medical potential of the plant and helped bolster California’s burgeoning medical marijuana movement. Valerie Leveroni Corral, who co-founded the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana, attests to the book’s influence. “It absolutely had an impact on our movement...it had a scholarly element which was profoundly important to not look like just a ragtag team of activists.” Within a few years of its publication, Corral and other prominent cannabis advocates in California co-authored and helped pass the Compassionate Use Act (Proposition 215), which legalized marijuana for medical purposes in America for the first time in 1996. “Without a doubt, [Grinspoon’s] intellectual gravitas lent to the incredible activism that was going on in the San Francisco area,” affirms former NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre. “We have legal marijua-
na in many parts of the country today because of these two unique forces working together.”
THE NEW NORML
One year after the publication of “Forbidden Medicine,” Grinspoon was tapped by NORML to overhaul its then struggling organization. Stroup had enlisted Grinspoon into NORML’s leadership early on. Now, on the brink of collapse, the organization turned to him for help. “In 1994, the NORML board, for all intents and purposes, imploded,” St. Pierre explains. “So Lester was contacted to try to pull together an entirely new board.” “The only thing the board could agree on is that they trusted Lester’s judgment,” says Stroup. “They knew whoever he picked would be good for NORML and for the movement.” At Grinspoon’s recommendation, Stroup returned as NORML’s director and a new board of directors was compiled—ushering in a new ‘golden age’ for the organization. Grinspoon continued to serve on NORML’s board for decades and spoke at many of their conferences. And in 2007, when Stroup and fellow NORML board member Rick Cusick were arrested for smoking a joint at the Boston Freedom Rally and decided to take their case to trial, Grinspoon kickstarted their defense fund with a $5,000 contribution and helped convince renowned Harvard Law Professor Charles ‘Billion-Dollar Charlie’ Nesson to take their case pro bono.
and Writing. Both NORML and High Times named their most prestigious awards after him. There’s also a band named after him in Australia (Grinspoon), and a cannabis strain named after him in Amsterdam (an heirloom sativa called “Dr. Grinspoon” by Barneys Farm). And on April 20 of this year, the cannabis Business Awards, in collaboration with World of cannabis, named him a 420 Icon (one of the top 100 cannabis influencers of all-time).
DEATH & LEGACY
After spending half a century fighting cannabis prohibition, Dr. Grinspoon spent the last decade of his life fighting cancer. On the morning of June 25—one day after celebrating his 92nd birthday— he passed away peacefully at his home outside Boston. Thanks to his groundbreaking work and courageous activism, Lester Grinspoon will be forever remembered as one of the most consequential figures in cannabis history.
Watch our exclusive memorial to Dr. Grinspoon at worldofcannabis.museum/grinspoon, or listen to it on Episode 5 of Cannthropology wherever you get your podcasts. (This content was originally published on worldofcannabis.museum and is reprinted with permission.)
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HONORS & ACCOLADES
Grinspoon retired as an associate professor emeritus in 2000, having twice been ‘green listed’ by the Harvard promotion committee, who didn’t approve of how his controversial stance on cannabis reflected upon the school’s reputation. “He didn’t get a full professorship, which is objectively silly given his level of accomplishments,” David notes. “There was a time when that bothered him, but it ceased to bother him because he got so much out of the community that were engaged in this movement with him.” Indeed, Dr. Grinspoon was a beloved figure in the cannabis community, and was honored numerous times over the years: In 1990, he received the Drug Policy Foundation’s Alfred R. Lindesmith Award for Achievement in the Field of Scholarship
President Richard Nixon’s notes on Grinspoon | courtesy Nixon Library
Lester with longtime friend, astronomer Carl Sagan, left | courtesy Grinspoon family
B AT T LIN G GRA VIT Y he actress Bette Davis once said that getting old is not for the faint of heart. And the reason for this assessment of absolute accuracy is because after managing your life over the Earth’s crust for enough seasons, the force of attraction by which terrestrial bodies tend to fall toward the center of the Earth begins to have an effect on your physicality. That’s what gravity is. But don’t be mad. You see, it is this pull of weight that has afforded us a body at all. Unless you believe we were put here by a superhuman being or spirit, worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes. Thank God for the dictionary. Wait, my bad, he didn’t create that - a man named Robert Cawdrey did in the year 1604. Or did God create it through him? Hold on, shouldn’t God be referred to with gender neutrality now? Anyway, back to gravity. Our energy attracts the matter that forms muscle, bone, etc. And with the pressure of gravity, your substance grows. And if you are not working the muscle, what occurs is atrophy, eventually resulting in immobility and death. So, it is this force of gravity that has allowed all organisms on Earth to develop and proliferate. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Recently, I went a week without walking due to being bedridden as a result of an injury and with the first attempt, it was clear my muscles had begun the physiological process of atrophy. Now, taking steps along a firm sidewalk was like navigating a massive trampoline surface. Or like a cat walking in booties. Thankfully, Cannabis gets you lifted.
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by Mike Ricker
Sept. 2020
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HARAMBE Lic # 12550 1) Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. (2) Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. D o not operate a vehicle or machiner y under its influence. (3) There are health r isks associated with the consumption of mar ijuana. (4) For u s e b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n . ( 5 ) M a r i j u a n a s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d b y w o m e n w h o a r e p r e g n a n t o r b r e a s t f e e d i n g .
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