Dec. 2021 - California Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

#20 | DEC. 2021

CAL I F O R N I A

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

Wendy Baker Space Gems 18

DEC. 2021

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GIFT GUIDE LEAF PICKS

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CANNABIS RECIPES HOMEMADE GIFTS

TOM BOWERS BRUCE WOLF

EDIBLES 101 INFUSION & METHODOLOGY

36 DANIEL BERMAN

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ADOBE STOCK

CANDIES

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EDITOR’S NOTE NATIONAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS COMPANY PROFILE STONER OWNER TAHOE WELLNESS CENTER CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH STRAIN OF THE MONTH EDIBLES 101 CHOCOLATES GUMMIES MORE GUMMIES CANDIES BEVERAGES BAKED, SAVORY & OTHER TREATS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE CANNABIS RECIPES CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

BEN NEFF

the EDIBLES issue

#20

feature

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DECEMBER 2021

CAL I F O R N I A

INTRODUCING

Fast-acting THC + Long-lasting CBN = Betterer ZZZ. Visit selectcannabis.com to find Snooze Bites near you.

21+. Keep away from Children. CDPH-10001355.

the edibles issue

FEATURE

SISTERS OF THE VALLEY

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16 DEC. 2021

In the San Joaquin Valley, a collective of religiously dedicated Cannabis growers are using the sacred herb to connect with people around the world and harken back to the principles of their spiritual sisters.

INTERVIEW by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by SISTERS OF THE VALLEY

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 / N O RT H E AS T L E A F

A B O U T T H E C OV E R Creative Director Daniel Berman commissioned the talented Las Vegas illustrator Cabin 7 Originals to create this month’s incredible cover. “Inspired by iconic classics like Willy Wonka and Candyland, the making of this design was a nostalgic adventure,” she said.

“I believe the purpose of art is to make people feel things, and I think that’s achieved here in a super fun way. With its ethereal glow and starry sky, it’s magic and cheer wrapped in a neat little bow. I like my work to remind people that cartoons, colors, and candy are things we can still enjoy as adults - plus now we can enjoy them with a little THC.”

ART by CABIN 7 ORIGINALS @CABIN7ORIGINALS

PUBLISHER

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JACKIE BRYANT, FEATURES CABIN 7 ORIGINALS, ILLUSTRATION EARLY, PRODUCTION STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS ALEXA JESSE, FEATURES TOM HELLAUER, PHOTOS TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES BEN NEFF, PHOTOS JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING MICHAEL ROSATI, PHOTOS ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES EMEHT SHERMAN, SALES BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM

SALES DIRECTOR NATE WILLIAMS | ADVERTISING

NATE@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 415-717-6985

CONTENT DIRECTOR TOM BOWERS | EDITORIAL

TOM@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Edibles Issue of the Leaf!

‘TIS THE SEASON for libations and yummy bites, and since edibles deliver the best of both worlds without having to consume any holiday spirits, we can trade a hangover for the munchies and hook Santa up with some real tasty cookies!

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I absolutely love our cover this month by Cabin 7 Originals, who breathed a whimsical and beautiful scene to life from our team’s direction. I’m a sucker for holiday decorations that are adult – and I definitely have a few bad Xmas sweaters that are not family dinner appropriate. While I may self-censor naughty jingles, one thing I definitely don’t hide is the help Cannabis gives me around the holidays.

We all have the judgey aunt or disappointed parental unit who will happily take pharmaceuticals, but give you dirty looks for getting more baked than the ham at dinner. And while I don’t recommend trying to convert any lost Qs at the grown up’s table, you can definitely spread good cheer by sharing Cannabis. Which is a big part of why we picked December for The Edibles Issue – the holidays are stressful, they bring out a need to get high in a discrete way, and they make great gifts or intros to Cannabis for friends and family in need of a holiday buzz.

“WHILE I MAY SELF-CENSOR NAUGHTY JINGLES, ONE THING I DEFINITELY DON’T HIDE IS THE HELP CANNABIS GIVES ME AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.“

While we all have a story about eating too many edibles or a random “XXX brownie” that came from a medical cooperative, today’s products are precision dosed and regulated to deliver an expected experience.

Learn more about this in our Edibles 101 piece, including how to read the label so you don’t end up overdoing it. But if you do, and you or a loved one find yourself melting and unable to function, fear not! Calling an ambulance will only get you an expensive bill for a rehydration IV drip, which can be acquired much easier in the form of Gatorade and snacks.

Whether you have a huge tolerance for THC or are just starting to explore this diverse world of scrumptious items that get you high, give our Edibles Guide a look through and go try one! With everything from mints to drinks, baked goods to tinctures, there’s sure to be a buzz that meets your preferences. And don’t forget to take care of Santa!

-Wes Abney

Have a strain, product, or news tip that the California Leaf staff needs to know about? Contact us at Tom@LeafMagazines.com!

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WES

midWEST

national news

politics

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POT SHOP OPENS 400 FT. FROM CHICAGO’S WRIGLEY FIELD

MOST LIBERALS SUPPORT LEGALIZATION; MAJORITY OF CONSERVATIVES OPPOSE

IT

seems obvious, on the face of it. Those who tend towards the liberal end of the political spectrum have always also tended to favor marijuana legalization. And those who lean conservative have tended to oppose weed.

But more and more, with the mainstreaming of Cannabis, we hear “both sides” arguments, and they have increasing merit. The bottom line is, though, that those who are most conservative in the American political landscape – still, after all these years – oppose marijuana.

Most folks know there’s growing bipartisan support for legalization in the USA. And a newly released survey from the Pew Research Center shows broad consensus across ideological lines that patients should be able to legally access marijuana for medical purposes. But when it comes to adult-use, “recreational” legalization, that coalition doesn’t entirely hold.

MOST FOLKS The poll, simply stated, shows Democrats are more KNOW THERE’S likely to support full Cannabis legalization than RepubliGROWING cans. To take examples from each end of the ideological BIPARTISAN spectrum, 91% of those classified as the Progressive Left SUPPORT FOR support legalization. Meanwhile, just 33% of “Faith and LEGALIZATION Flag” conservatives – thus farthest to the right – want weed IN THE USA. to be legal.

WEIRD

SUPER BOWL CHAMP ARRESTED FOR POT

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olice arrested Nigel Bradham, a linebacker on the Philadelphia Eagles team that won Super Bowl LII, in Florida on November 13. Troopers said they found more than three pounds of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop, reports the Philly Voice.

They charged Bradham, 32, with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of a firearm during a felony, according to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

He posted $1,000 bail and police released him from Leon County jail November 14. The current free agent told a judge he intended to hire an attorney, but court records didn’t yet list one assigned to the case, reports WCTV. Florida Highway Patrol officers stopped the NFL veteran because the tag on his 2021 Chevrolet Corvette didn’t match records. Officers claimed there was a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

Bradham claimed to be a Florida medical marijuana patient, troopers said, however he was unable to produce identification to prove that.

Bradham’s name then didn’t come up after cops conducted a state registry search, reports TMZ. Medical marijuana is legal in Florida, but adult-use Cannabis remains against the law.

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grams of Cannabis would get you just a $100 fine in a decriminalization bill introduced in Wisconsin.

DEC. 2021

health & science

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pounds of illegal weed were discovered on a Cali man

by Louisiana Highway Patrol officers.

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percent of Americans believe Cannabis should be legal, according to Gallup, similar to last year’s results.

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new Cannabis dispensary in Chicago opened just 400 feet from the legendary baseball venue, Wrigley Field, reports Fox 32.

Sunnyside Wrigleyville is located at 3524 N. Clark Street. According to shop owner Cresco Labs, it’s the closest dispensary to a national sports stadium in the United States.

The ganja shop will have an impressive 21 checkout counters.

Cresco said this allows employees to service thousands on “high traffic days when baseball games, concerts and other large-scale city events take place next THE GANJA door.”

SHOP WILL Longtime HAVE AN Chicago IMPRESSIVE barflies will 21 CHECKOUT recognize the COUNTERS. envied location: the former home of the John Barleycorn bar.

With top shelf flower going for $20 a gram and upwards of $50 an eighth (3.5 grams), shoppers should be ready to drop a few bucks.

The dispensary’s presence at such a prime retail location comes at least partially as the result of recent re-zoning by Chicago officials. Rules which prevented pot shops downtown were relaxed.

STUDY: LEGALIZATION DIDN’T INCREASE TRAFFIC INJURIES IN CANADA

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arijuana legalization did not result in increased traffic injuries in Canada, a new study has found.

In a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, researchers sought to investigate claims that establishing Cannabis legalization in October 2018 would make roads less safe, as prohibitionists frequently claim.

But analyzing Ontario and Alberta data from 2015 to 2019, they could find no evidence at all to support that.

“Implementation of the Cannabis Act was not associated with evidence of significant post-legalization changes in traffic-injury [emergency department] visits in Ontario or Alberta among all drivers or youth drivers, in particular,” the study states.

The evidence doesn’t support claims that legalization might increase both marijuana-impaired driving and traffic injuries, said lead author Russ Callaghan.

THE SOUTH

MISSISSIPPI GOV. ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’ WITH THC IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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hile voters approved a pretty good medical marijuana law in 2020, a year later, Governor Tate Reeves says he wants lawmakers to make yet more changes in a proposal to create a medicinal Cannabis program in the state. Voters approved a business-friendly medical marijuana program a year ago, but the State Supreme Court struck down the measure on a technicality. State lawmakers then drafted a measure creating a medical marijuana program and moved it through the legislature. The GOP governor said in November that he wants tighter limits on the amount of Cannabis patients could buy. He also wants to reduce the content of THC, the compound that produces a high and also has medical benefits. Reeves described the THC levels in current drafts of the bill as “higher than I am comfortable with,” without specifying actual amounts.

$150 $30k 67k

is the cost of the “Puff, Puff, Pass” Tour from Las Vegas Cannabis Tours, a 2.5 hr jaunt to creative local dispensaries.

in marijuana products were seized in local stores by police serving search warrants in Hendersonville, Ky.

pounds of MMJ have been sold under Arkansas’ program since May 2019.

STORIES by STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

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SED DS U F N I ON ES I M M A I M D GU UID Q I L A C ITH TH

local news

CALIFORNIA Comparable-to-Organic Certification Bolsters Craft Cannabis

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“The first onoma Hills Farm and Sensiboldt Organics are the first Cannabis farms in the country to be certified as “Comparable-tocertification Organic” by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). The new certification, which is called OCal, is run program of its kind in by the California Department of Food and Ag. OCal’s standards, certification process and regulations mirror almost exactly those the U.S.” of the USDA’s National Organics Program (NOP, labeled as USDA “Organic”), ensuring consumers that Cannabis products bearing the OCal seal have met the consistent, uniform standards comparable to NOP. This is the first Cannabis certification program of its kind in the U.S. and the hope is that it will help consumers make more educated decisions, as well as help smaller “craft” farmers stand out more in a crowded market, ultimately driving a higher price point that will make growing smaller batch Cannabis more viable.

Pelorus Equity Group Brings Cash Flow Stability To Commercial Cannabis Real Estate

Colombian Cannabis Company Aquires Carlsbad-based Vape Tech Maker

Newport Beach-based privately held real estate loan provider, Pelorus Equity Group, announced it has secured up to a $20M line of credit with a Florida-based FDIC-insured bank at 4.75% and no non-usage fees, depending on the business owners’ needs and qualifications.

Colombian Cannabis firm Flora Growth signed a definitive agreement to buy Carlsbad, Calif.-based vaporizer tech maker Vessel Brand.

The company claims it has the ability to approve construction draws to reimburse the borrowers in an average of one to three days.

This offers Cannabis operators cash flow stability that has proven otherwise difficult to come by in Pelorus Equity Group Cannabis-related commercial real President and Fund Co-Manager estate transactions.

Rob Sechrist Company President and Fund Co-Manager Rob Sechrist said that of the universe of more Cannabis-friendly banks, “There’s about 200 out there, 10 that are the most wellknown ones, that will do this kind of thing.” While these banks issue credit lines to Cannabis-related companies, none do so to the tune of $20M. The company also recently announced the upsizing of its mREIT Pelorus Fund to $1B from $250MM, which is a privately held fund made of Cannabis use and Cannabis-related properties.

DEC. 2021

Flora said its focus was on selling products in the United States and Colombia in the nearer-term – with an eye on expansion to Latin American countries.

The deal totals $8 million in cash and 4,557,318 Flora shares, amounting to about $30 million in total, according to a news release.

Vessel executives will join Flora’s core management team and the deal is expected to close mid-November.

In a regulatory filing earlier this year, Flora said its focus was on selling products in the United States and Colombia in the nearer-term – with an eye on expansion to Latin American countries.

Canada and Europe are also a possibility, depending on how those areas come to fruition, regulatorily speaking.

Corruption Case Ends in Guilty Pleas Cannabis businessman Helios Dayspring entered formal guilty pleas to federal criminal charges, which ties the bow on a long corruption saga involving multiple Cannabis companies and local officials.

According to the Santa Maria Times, Dayspring appeared in court in October to enter guilty pleas for one charge of bribery and one of tax evasion, which was a plea deal he agreed to in July.

Dayspring, the owner Dayspring, the of Natural Healing owner of Natural Center and 805 Healing Center and 805 Agricultural Agricultural Holdings, Holdings, subsequently had his subsequently licenses revoked. had his licenses revoked.

He was accused of bribing a former San Luis Obispo County supervisor in exchange for favors, in addition to not reporting income or paying federal taxes for five years. The supervisor died by suicide in 2020.

Dayspring was also accused of attempting to bribe the mayor of Grover Beach, but the mayor declined the bribe.

Dayspring will be sentenced February 11 in Los Angeles and faces a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, as well as the $3.4 million he owes to the IRS in back taxes.

STORIES by JACKIE BRYANT @JACQBRY for CALIFORNIA LEAF

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SISTERS OF THE VALLEY

As Sister Occupy, I attended protests all over California, and met many people who encouraged me to formalize the belief system and begin an order.

We had years of discussing what a new age order of Sisters would look like. We knew what it wouldn’t be, and we had to figure out what it would be. We knew we didn’t want to be begging for alms and we knew we did want to be self-sustaining. Like our Beguine ancestors, we would farm, create products, and own businesses and property.

We would put Mother Earth back at the center of all spiritual practices. Maybe the enclaves would grow, and we could make places that rescue throw-away women and throw-away people. That remains the dream.

The first time you see a member of Sisters of the Valley, you’re likely to do a double-take.

After all, it’s not every day you see someone dressed in a nun’s habit hitting a J. For the better part of a decade, the group of plant health advocates and sociopolitical activists has crafted cannabinoid cures with a reverence that permeates everything they do, whether it be impacting social change or producing their line of wellness products and teas at their facility in the San Joaquin Valley of California. We connected with Sister Kate and discussed how her collective came to be, what it stands for, and where it’s going.

What is the mission of Sisters of the Valley? Our mission is to get the most plant medicine to the most people around the world, and to do it ethically, excellently and sustainably. At the same time, we hope to put more small businesses in the hands of the women. We believe that the world will right itself when women are restored to power, or hell, just not left suffering the brunt of all poverty in all nations.

How did Sisters of the Valley come to be?

The Sisters of the Valley began as an idea born of the Occupy Movement. It’s an old idea, as ancient as people, that the women live together, work together, pray together, and remain independent of contemporary religions. That the women identify their enclave by the clothing they wear. And the women are scholars and activists

What is the significance of adopting lifestyle elements traditionally associated with religious institutions? The men and the women of the tribe are required to be in uniform for making medicine, for public events, when visitors are on site, and at ceremonies. The uniform is a daily meditation in being in touch with our ancient ancestors; it is our regalia announcing to our tribe that we are serious, chaste, dedicated people of plant med-

DEC. 2021

and take an active role in making or breaking local politicians and priests. This is the legacy of our Beguine mothers, who had the first organized nurses serving the people and the castles of the Middle Ages in Europe.

When the media dubbed me ‘Sister Occupy’ in 2011, that one act of rebellion resulted, four years later, in the formation of the Sisterhood.

“Our mission is to get the most plant medicine to the most people around the world, and to do it ethically, excellently and sustainably.”

-Sister Kate

something like 15 million people and they have issued 500 of them permission to grow Cannabis for personal health reasons, and Sister Flora is one of them. She works with us, learns and shares her knowledge.

In England, Brother Matt has been operating a store reselling our products for four years now. But in places like Brazil and Sweden, the sisters cannot jump into our business. It will get them jailed or killed. We have to play the long game. Watch the legislation change, as we know it will. Participate in pushing the reforms needed. Connect with the 420 influencers in each nation. Lawyers, doctors, growers, filmmakers, media.

Sister Flora has begun to grow her enclave in Brazil, with primarily filmmakers and storytellers who can influence the change that is needed in human perception to counteract the very expensive propaganda campaign that got them all believing Cannabis to be the devil’s weed to begin with. icine. We wear the gowns to honor our ancient Beguine foremothers and to show respect for the plant and Mother Earth. We cover ourselves modestly to connect us to the same healing energy of our ancient Bougienages.

What are some highlights among the products you create? Do you have your own favorites? It’s trimming season and I couldn’t live without our topical salve. This time of year, I leave the office every day around 2:00 p.m. and work with the plant until 9 p.m. And that leaves my hands sticky and muddy, and soap and water is the long, hard way to get your hands clean, and will leave them rough. Our topical salve and a rag or piece of paper towel will take it all off and leave your hands silky smooth. When we are trimming, there is always a jar of salve nearby, just saying.

As we learn to ride the ups and downs of the marketplace, I don’t think any of us are as stressed as we used to be. We have kind of found our groove, here on the farm, and the stress level has really gone down as we rotated out the drama queens and divas, and rotated in some board-level women.

However, no matter how peaceful things are on the home front, you can always count on the universe to stir things up and when we get anxious around here, or have trouble sleeping, we take the oil or tincture drops – and we certainly use those same products for the farm pets, when they are having issues. Gel caps are pure plant

oil and those are reserved for serious illnesses, although, when I turned 60, I started taking one every night and found that it really helps me ‘stay asleep.’ I’m not as restless, regardless of anxiety, regardless of earthquakes, smoke in the air from fires surrounding us, or planetary retrogrades.

Tell me about the Sisters. How many of you are there? How is the collective structured? A few years ago, code enforcement of Merced County decided they were not going to allow an order of weed nuns to spring up in their county, and they started hassling us. We couldn’t have a sister in the RV, like we did. We couldn’t have a sister in the yurt, like we did. So, we bought another house nearby and spread out. We would like to be all together, and we will manage that at some point, but for now there are three who live on the farm – with Sister Maria being the fourth, coming from New Zealand early in the new year. Nearby, we have two other sisters who come to work here every day.

In Mexico, we have nine sisters, but they are all still operating as ‘satellite sisters’ with our Merced farm being their mother farm. The Mexico sisters come and stay one month or two months at a time and work with us – they help and learn, and have recently opened their own store. Sister Rosa is in Sweden and she has formed a Northern Europe enclave with one sister each in Denmark, Belgium and Norway.

Sister Flora is visiting from Brazil. Brazil has

How does someone become a Sister of the Valley?

Are there any interesting journeys to highlight among those who’ve joined your numbers? The starting point, if someone is interested in joining us, is to tell us who they are and make sure they understand who we are.

To facilitate this process of information exchange, we have a place on Patreon (sistersoftheCAvalley). Patreon hosts our fellowship program and at this point, we don’t invite anyone to anything unless they have gone through this process. Periodically, we invite people to come stay with us and work with us on the farm for one to six weeks. Those invites are only extended to the fellowship program members. From the visitors, we know who would make a good sister and who wouldn’t. These women have stories. Every Sister’s journey is interesting … Trimming season is my favorite time of year because we don’t query each other about our pasts. That stuff has to come out naturally, and over the sacred weed, stories have a special solemnity.

What does the future hold for the Sisters of the Valley?

During the Covid lockdown, we developed our own recipe for a mood-stabilizing mushroom coffee, built a mushroom powder lab and launched the first two products. We now need to get that offered in individual packets and spend some time educating people on the health benefits. Our plans haven’t changed in the last seven years. We’ve always wanted to have enclaves in every province and state in the world, and we still dream of this.

SISTERSOFTHEVALLEY.ORG | @SISTERSOFTHEVALLEY

INTERVIEW by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by SISTERS OF THE VALLEY

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stoner owner

WENDY BAKER Space Gems Galactic skies, rainbow scapes, and glittering candies tell the story of Space Gems, the out-ofthis-world edible company refreshingly passionate about our own planet.

The wide range of products are free of synthetic dyes, harsh chemicals, solvents and fillers, providing high quality, award winning edibles that set a high bar in the competitive edibles market.

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“Maintaining the integrity of the Cannabis culture has been ingrained in me through 20 years of living in Humboldt.

We have to be good stewards.” dec. 2021

START OF THE UNIVERSE The origin of Space Gems began exactly eight years ago in 2013 as many stoner stories do, on a girls’ night out to a Phish concert. The night commenced with a necessary trip to Harborside dispensary in search of edibles for the show. Wendy Baker had recently completed candy making classes and upon eating her edible, realized that she could do this herself!

Next she began experimenting in her kitchen and sharing with her family and friends – one who was so impressed that they brought some to their local dispensary in hopes of getting them on the shelves. The treats were a hit and the shop wanted to carry the “little gems that take you to space” – and thus, Space Gems were born.

A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO THE WILD WORLD OF CANNABIS EDIBLES, AND SPECIFICALLY THE FLOODED GUMMY CATEGORY, CAN YOU SHARE WHY SPACE GEMS ARE DIFFERENT? I originally

couple of years. I live by the ocean in Humboldt, so it is a big deal to me to keep it [the planet] this way, and to keep the integrity of Humboldt in what we bring to Cannabis culture. Our tins are much more expensive than standard mylar bags, and we also hand package everything. We could use those plastic bags and be killing it, but what’s that doing for the environment? We all have to do our part. Money comes and goes, but this world needs to be around for the little ones. Maintaining the integrity of the Cannabis culture has been ingrained in me through 20 years of living in Humboldt. We have to be good stewards.

started making my candy with BHO (butane hash oil), but switched to ice water hash around 2014. People were coming to me for products to treat sickness and cancer, and BHO was dangerous, even though it was and still is common practice. I couldn’t explain using BHO to treat medical patients, so I took a leap.

If my products were going to be organic and vegan, I also needed to stand behind the healthiest concentrate out there. Ice water hash is literally just ice water and Cannabis.Our bodies agree with it more. The solventless movement was also emerging at the time – it was revolutionary and the test results were impressive.

WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR FLOWER?

I work exclusively with Craig Nejedly at Talking Trees farms. They grow all organic, sun/soil grown Cannabis – they go the extra mile. Craig is also vegan and owner of Satori Movement, a hemp skater/apparel line. You have to grow great Cannabis to make ice water hash.

You have to have healthy plants, plants that are taken care of. We have been working together for over almost four years and work really well together.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET! CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR MIND EXPANDING SPACE BELTS?

Our belts were actually from the Prop 215 era, and we wanted to bring them back. So many people ask for the single flavored gems, so we decided to do a new gummy. Back in the day the Mind Expanding Belts were 280mg, that I used to hand cut with a pizza cutter! It’s crazy where the gummy market has gone since when I started – so many more tools now. In terms of our Mind Expanding Belt line, I’m most proud of our THC:CBN 50mg:50mg sku, which took us a year to develop.

YOUR BRAND ARTWORK IS INCREDIBLE. WHO DO YOU WORK WITH AND WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION? The stars aligned with

Shelise Landry, a magical lady, who we originally hired for our packaging design. Next thing I know she’s at Hall of Flowers with us, supporting us with all things marketing. We gave her the reins, trusted in her, and her work shines through the brand.

WE LOVE YOUR FULLY RECYCLABLE, ZERO WASTE PACKAGING! WERE THERE CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE PACKAGE OPTION? I used to own a women’s hemp clothing

company, so I’ve always been a conscious individual – I really care about the earth and what the earth will look like in a

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR INGREDIENTS AND WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE. TWENTY ROTATING FLAVORS? HOW DOES THIS WORK! We use proprietary organic

flavoring made from real fruits, everything is made from real fruits or vegetables.

The coloring comes from veggies, the flavors from fruit. We’ve created so many fun ones that we just couldn’t choose, so our gummy packs are always a variety pack. Some of our customer favorites are fig which is number one, followed by watermelon, then banana.

YOUR PRODUCT LINE IS ROBUST. HOW DO YOU RECOMMEND USING YOUR GEM JUICE AND COSMIC TINCTURE? I’m not a big drinker – if I drink, I like cocktails. I

love using our liquid products as a mixer in a drink, so I can keep up with my girlfriends. A little bit goes a long way! They are great for letting loose or getting creative in the kitchen.

Sometimes it’s easier to drink something than eat something, which is why we offer the variety. It’s also a different buzz. We have the 100mg Gem Juice as well as the 600mg Cosmic Tincture, which were also from the 215 market. We brought them back for the high dose consumers.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO CONSUME CANNABIS? I’m a huge dabber and am all about live rosin. I really like pre-rolls too, they are great for quick, easy relief. My goal is to elevate – I love flower too. And of course, edibles.

ANYTHING EXTRA TO SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY? You are making a difference when you support us. We are not corporate funded, so you are truly helping our team – helping us to grow and to continue keeping the legacy of Humboldt alive. Lastly, we like to say that Space Gems may cause miracles, so enjoy the magic!

SPACEGEMCANDY.COM @SPACEGEM.CA

STORY by ALEXA JESSE @ALEXAJESSE/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by BEN NEFF @BNEFF420

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TAHOE WELLNESS CENTER SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

DEC. 2021

local art on the walls and TWC stuck primarily to their own products in “We are beyond Originally launched as Tahoe wood accents everywhere. order to ensure that their patients received only excited about Wellness Collective by founder It feels homey – cozy, even. trusted, clean medicine. In 2015, the shop onsite consumption Cody Bass in 2009, TWC set out “The dispensary we operate began testing every product it carried for pestireturning when we to provide local patients with clean out of now has been the cides and mold, after which they adopted even move into our new Cannabis medicine. space since the beginning,” more stringent vetting processes for partner dispensary,” “We were the first dispensary in Bass said. “It’s been great producers.

-Founder the Lake Tahoe region,” said Cody with lots of history – from Since the launch of the regulated recreational Cody Bass Bass, “with many people locally having onsite consumption market, things have changed in favor of variety. opposed to a Cannabis dispensary for the first decade with hash “Because of the supply chain’s testing in town, we began to self-regulate bars, to bringing in a saltwater fish tank that requirements required on legal products, the in the early days. We have always been very you can see through the wall with a large TWC amount of products available is unreal,” Bass transparent and open with all members of our reef inside.” said. “We now carry close to 1,000 prodcommunity.”

As TWC’s business and mission continues to ucts. We like to carry everything that we think From the jump, TWC aimed to be a gatherevolve, so will their space. “We have outgrown is good. We do pay attention to things like ing place for the community, providing a cozy our original space and we’re very excited for over packaging with plastic. Once we make a space adjacent to the dispensary for locals to the expansion that is currently underway,” Bass choice to carry a product, we guarantee to not gather. The goal, Bass said, was to operate said of plans for the coming year. “We are berun out of that product, therefore we do have from a place of “peace, love, unity, compasyond excited about onsite consumption returna limit.” sion, health, wellness and happiness.” ing when we move into our new dispensary; the Aside from their house brands, TWC carries “These are the core values we live by and current dispensary will become the consumpsome of the most respected brands in the inoperate with daily,” he said. “Our mission from tion lounge. The new space will have nearly dustry, from high end boutique masters like 710 the very beginning is to provide a safe environthree times the floor space with a new concept Labs and Kalya, to the unmistakable powerment for our community to purchase Cannabis that allows more interaction with our products, house Cookies. in a legal and compliant way.” it will also really help decrease any waiting in At the time of this writing, the shop featured The dispensary’s focus on support doesn’t line. We also will be opening a cafe in 2022 nearly 200 edible products, more than 100 end there – Bass and his staff offer Love and that will allow tableside Cannabis service – with dabbables, nearly 100 flower varieties, as well Compassion programs for patients, providing great food and beverage options just next door as a respectable assortment of everything in an avenue for those without means to obtain to the new dispensary.” between, including tinctures, topicals, cartridgmedicine via donation from caregivers through es and clones for the home cultivator. the dispensary.

THE PEOPLE The outgoing and compassionate staff fosters THE WRAP THE EVOLUTION an inviting environment at the shop.

Now that the horror of the 2021 fire seaIn 2019, the Collective got licensed for recreBass says the concept of TWC as a collecson is in the rearview, and a less-restricted ski ational sale under Proposition 64 and became tive never stopped, even though the name season is on the horizon for the region, TWC is Tahoe Wellness Center, expanding its product changed. Everyone has the chance to be heard abuzz with excitement. offerings. They continued to produce and sell at the shop – with budtenders, extraction artists “We have, though, seen a decline with no their own products, with their living-soil-grown and cultivators all having a say – in everything tourism – and are very excited to see the ski lifts indoor flower sold as Tahoe Herb Collection, from the hiring process to the company’s operturning soon and welcome our visitors back,” and a line of solventless concentrates as Tahoe ational flow.

Bass said. “The mix of folks that come through Hash Collection. But after getting licensed to “Every member of our team is truly engaged Tahoe Wellness Center is vast, we see everyone serve the recreational side of the community, in Cannabis,” Bass said. “We never stop learnfrom every walk of life.”

TWC opened up to a wider variety of brands ing as a team, dedicating With everything opening back up and products, and opened their doors to the lots of time to product and expansion as the plan for the larger community. They also added delivery, education. You will find our coming year, we’re thrilled to see and ferry flower and other products to patrons team to be very informative what this long-standing bastion TAHOE WELLNESS CENTER on the entire California side of Lake Tahoe and about every product we of the Tahoe medical Cannabis 3445 LAKE TAHOE BLVD, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA up to Truckee. produce or carry in our community accomplishes in 2022.

OPEN 8AM-10PM DAILY retail store.”

We know that we’ll be stopping by TAHOEWELLNESS.COM THE SPOT to check in on them a few times @TAHOEWELLNESS The shop feels like a quaint café crossed with THE GOODS when there’s snow on the slopes.

(530) 544-8000 a dispensary, with a large saltwater aquarium, In the early medical days, Maybe we’ll see you there.

THE INCEPTION

REVIEW by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by TOM HELLAUER @TOM.TAKES.PICTURES

21

concentrate of the month

DAWG BREATH JUICE CART

COLDFIRE EXTRACTS X GREEN DAWG

With the seemingly endless amount of mid-grade and budget cartridges out there, it’s no surprise that some connoisseurs will tell you: I don’t smoke carts.

But anyone that knows Green Dawg knows that they’re fanatical about exceptional quality and taste, so when they fed me the same line – “I don’t smoke carts” – but followed it up with “but these are some of the tastiest we’ve ever tried,” I became immediately curious.

ColdFire Extracts is a Long Beachbased hydrocarbon processor with quite possibly the best tasting cured resin derived products I’ve ever come across. While also highly skilled in the art of fresh frozen extraction, their cured resin tech produces potent and full-flavored extracts that taste every bit as good as their fresh frozen counterparts – an incredibly rare feat.

If you’re into gas-driven profiles, this Dawg Breath Juice Cart is the one for you.

Ripping this cart releases an expansive vapor packing an ensemble of flavors – ranging from fuel refinery to tire factory to garbage truck – all in the best way possible.

Seriously, there is zero fruit or sweetness here, so if you’re all about strains that taste like cake or candy … move along.

This is a cartridge for those who like their terps offensively loud and aggressively assertive.

The heavy-handed flavor is backed by equally heavy-handed effects, and it takes only a couple rips to produce a dab-level high – making it one of the most potent carts I’ve ever come across. All around, this juice slaps!

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“A cartridge for those who like their terps offensively loud and aggressively assertive.”

DEC. 2021

13.3% TERPENES @COLDFIREEXTRACTS @GREENDAWGCULTIVATORS

REVIEW & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

LA PALETA Cultivated by CAM

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“A dreamy draw with a lingering lift.”

DEC. 2021 dec.

R EVI E W & P H OTO b y TO M B OW E R S @ P RO PAG AT ECO N SU L TAN TS / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F

CAL I F O R N I A

T

winkling crystals set against the dark green and twilight-purple backdrop. The satisfying, substantial *thunk* of a chunky nug hitting the bottom of the jar. The perfect, sticky crumble for twisting up a greasy J. La Paleta from Sacramento indoor cultivator CAM has it all. And well, it should. CAM has earned itself a reputation for bringing the heat out of its 600-light facility. So much so, that they’re currently prepping for an expansion to a 2,000-light grow house in the coming year.

Owner and head cultivator Anna Willey keeps a tight rein on the strains she brings into her program. Like a number of the strains in CAM’s lineup of genetics, the La Paleta was bred by JBeezy from Seed Junky Genetics.

“I test out strains for him,” Willey said. During the selection process, Willey and her team work together and even employ feedback from trusted budtenders and dispensary workers in their network.

They look for bud structure, plant hardiness, color and yield, but above all, they look for that extra tasty bit of magic that’s harder to find.

“I’m looking for something unique,” she said. “Not something that just has a gas back, or a fruity undertone, but something that blends those things together.”

La Paleta crosses Otter Pop (Blueberry x Daily Driver) with Jealousy (Gelato 41 x Sherbert backcross).

With its sweet, creamy, candied fruit and complex floral character, La Paleta delivers the goods.

It’s a dreamy draw with a lingering lift.

“I love that it has a little bit of that lemon,” Willey said. “I like the length of the high, it is longer. I’m a flavor girl, but I like things that are stronger.”

31 .4 3% T H C 36.1 4 % TOTAL CAN NAB I N OI DS CA M DI S P E N SARY . CO M @ CA M ST R 007

@RICKETTBREWING WWW.RICKETTBREWING.COM

844-420-4733

@GREENSTONEUS WWW.GREENSTONE.US LIC#C11-0000948-LIC

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the EDIBLES issue

edibles 101

28

Decarboxylation

Emulsifier

Decarboxylation is a necessary pre-process in the creation of edibles that involves heating up your Cannabis product (flower or oil) to 220º F to break off carboxyl units from Delta 9 THCa, thus converting inactive THCa into active THC. This process happens naturally when smoking or vaporizing, however edibles require decarbing prior to product creation.

Decarbed Cannabis can be infused into an edible product.

Because Cannabis is infused into oil/butter and many edible recipes require the use of water, emulsifiers are used to create many edible products. As you probably remember, oil and water do not mix. An emulsifier is a compound that is added to oil/water concoctions so that they can blend together in a homogenous solution, and is an essential step for many edible products.

Edible Infusion

Nano-emulsified

Food that incorporates a variety of Cannabis infusions to create a product that tastes as good as its effects are. These products are orally ingested and metabolized through the liver, which is a distinctively different mechanism of action from inhalable products. Expect a slower onset, more robust body effect, and significantly prolonged duration compared to other consumption methods such as smoking or vaping. These products include anything that can be made using oil or butter.

11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-THC)

When Cannabis oil is mixed with an oil or butter, this is considered an infused product. Generally THC is infused into an oil or butter in a known quantity, and then that butter or oil is incorporated into a chef’s favorite recipe to create an edible Cannabis product. Ethanol can be used to extract THC and then evaporated directly onto sugar, salt or pre-made products to create infused products, however these are not as stable or consistent compared to something infused with butter or oil. Infusions are most commonly made from solvent-based extractions like hydrocarbon, CO2 and ethanol. The quality of the infusion is a direct result of the quality of the extraction process, as well as the extraction input material.

This compound is a metabolite that is derived from the metabolization of Delta 9 THC within the liver. Enzymes in the liver convert the Delta 9 THC into 11-OH-THC when we orally ingest Cannabis, and this conversion accounts for edibles exponentially high potency and prolonged effects when compared to inhalation. 11-OH-THC is approximately five to 10 times more potent that Delta 9 THC, and is only created via liver metabolization.

Dosing Guidelines

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

What is an edible

Low and slow is the rule for all Cannabis products, and this rule is even more important for proper edible dosage. Due to the notoriously potent effects of edibles that result from the conversion of Delta 9 into 11-OH-THC, dosing recommendations start at 1mg for first time users. From there it is recommended to slowly increase your dosage until you find the dose that is comfortable for you and your needs.

Consumers often get too high from edibles because they try to match their smoking dosage to their edible dosage, without realizing that eating a gram of Cannabis is significantly more potent than smoking a gram of Cannabis. Your lifestyle, medical needs and product access will help you determine the best dosing regimen that supports your personal relief, with regard to your daily schedule.

DEC. 2021

Solventless Infusions

There are hundreds of types of emulsifiers that can be used to create products, depending on the nitty gritty details of your product development. A sonicator is a tool that utilizes ultrasonic frequencies to break up particles on a molecular level. When utilizing a sonicator with an emulsifier, you can lower the amount of emulsifier needed, as well as increase the bioavailability of the cannabinoids in the product. Thus you create a nano-emulsified product that, in theory, produces a higher quality effect with less active ingredients used.

Edible vs. Ingestible

A trending subset of infusions that utilizes Cannabis oil derived from a solventless process. These products typically contain the most robust amount of cannabinoids and effects possible, particularly compared to their solvent-based competition. These are typically infused with hash and rosin products, and are generally considered to be a FECO product (full spectrum extract Cannabis oil).

‘Edible’ typically refers to a food-based product, whereas ‘ingestible’ can refer to any product that is consumed orally. Ingestibles include drinks, tinctures and tablets, which are also processed through the liver and share the same mechanism of action as edibles, just with varying degrees of potency/onset. An edible is more traditionally thought of as a brownie or cookie, but today can include anything from a gummy, to a jerky, to a savory pie, to a steak dinner.

STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN for LEAF NATION

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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 judgment.

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 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

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the EDIBLES issue

CHOCOLATES

30

DEC. 2021

PAPA & BARKLEY

RELEAF CHOCOLATE REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

High quality, well-tempered chocolate paired with a slight sprinkling of sea salt. When you’re as good at what you do as Papa & Barkley is – something that translates to all of their edible and therapeutic products – you don’t really need anything else to make a stellar chocolate bar. If you’ve never slid open a P&B tray and broken a hunk off of a Releaf bar with a satisfying thunk, well, you’ll just have to remedy that. 10mg THC/piece serving, 100mg THC/package papaandbarkley.com | @papaandbarkley KIVA

TERRA ESPRESSO BEAN BITES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Sink your teeth through a soft chocolate shell to pierce the espresso bean within, splintering the husk, scattering bitter roasted shards like delicious shrapnel in your mouth. Kiva has another delectable hit on its hands here, and it comes with a welcome caffeinated kick.

5mg THC/piece serving, 100mg THC/package kivaconfections.com | @madebykiva DAYDREAMERS CHOCOLATES

PUMPKIN PIE & GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST PEPPERMINT BARK REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

Daydreamers Chocolates takes the guesswork out of your edibles consumption, breaking down their chocolates into perfect bite size morsels that each weigh in at 10mg.

Their lineup of flavors is seriously mouthwatering and even includes delicious fall and winter seasonal offerings. As an added bonus, the individually packaged nature of each bite helps to keep the product fresh – significantly curbing the likelihood that you’ll down an entire 100mg bar in one sitting! 10mg THC/piece serving, 100mg THC/package daydreamerschocolates.com | @daydreamerschocolates BAD HOMBRE

CHOCOLATE OBSCURO Y DE LECHE REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Careful, the Bad Hombre isn’t just a clever name.

This tiny pouch may look like it holds a single dose, but within you’ll find a full 10 servings in a small bar that could be a single bite for many people. The Hombre’s chocolate game is on point, with solid but creamy texture and roasty flavors – just take it a nibble at a time. 10mg THC/piece serving, 100mg THC/package badhombrecannabis.com | @badhombrecannabis

JELLY WIZARD

MAGIC MORSELS REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Like something a unicorn would eat, the Magic Morsels look like little domes of white chocolate permeated by rainbow sprinkles. As with Jelly Wizard’s rosin jellies, the Magic Morsels don’t shy away from the herbaceous Cannabis character, instead embracing it as its own delicious flavor component. Those of you who shy away from Cannabis flavor shouldn’t pass on these – there’s something particular about the effect of hash rosin edibles. These just feel yummy. 10mg THC/piece serving, 100mg THC/package | Jellywizardcannabis.co @jellywizard707

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

the EDIBLES issue

GUMMIES

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SELECT

SUNDERSTORM

NANO-BITES

KANHA GUMMIES

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

Soft and sweet, Select’s nano-infused gummies offer a fairly quick uptake time, with onset closer to 30 minutes instead of the traditional 60-90 minutes you get from live resin, rosin and canna-butterinfused gummies. These provide a light, quick lift in sativa, indica and hybrid formulations in multiple flavors, including peach-mango, tangerine and pomegranate. 5mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/package selectbetter.com | @select.better

Sunderstorm produces a wide variety of killer gummies under their Kanha line. The vegan, nano-enhanced variety provides a swift-acting, delicious option – with the Blood Orange Bliss offering all of the flavor of a classic gummy orange wedge, packed into tightly pressed vegan discs infused with THC goodness. 10mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/package sunderstorm.com | @kanhatreats

Zuted is a new brand of Cannabis infused gummy, aiming to separate themselves from the pack by producing a vegan, gluten free, low calorie and ocean plant-based gummy that you can actually feel good about indulging in! They have almost no sugar, fat or carbs, and contain a modest 5mg THC per gummy. The cherry kiwi variety was my favorite – featuring individual gummies of each flavor, as opposed to a blend. 5mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/package | @getzuted

DEC. 2021

ZUTED

CANNABIS -INFUSED GUMMIES

ABSOLUTEXTRACTS

SLEEPY TIME BLUEBERRY LAVENDER GUMMIES REVIEW BY ALEXA JESSE @ALEXAJESSE

Sleep deprivation is one of the most common reasons that patients seek Cannabis.

AbsoluteXtract’s THC/CBN gummies were designed to knock you out with a blend of 5mg THC and 2mg CBN per piece.

Consumers can expect a heavy, long lasting high, so make sure to consume about 30 minutes before bedtime for an ideal experience – easy dozing and a restful morning. The company also makes a number of other gummy products, including stellar THC-rich flavors. 5mg THC & 2mg CBN/gummy serving | 100mg THC & 40mg CBN/package abx.org | @absoluteextracts SUNSET CONNECT

SOUR GUMMIES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Coming from the kitchens of the first equity product producer in San Francisco, the Sunset Connect Sour Gummies bring a puckering punch that you can feel good about consuming. Owner Ali Jamalian and his crew take every opportunity to offer reciprocal support to the community that makes their business possible. It’s almost a bonus that the gummies are so tasty. We couldn’t get enough of the pineapple and apple gummy pack, with its bracing acidity and full-spectrum infusion.

10mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/pkg.

Sunsetconnect.co | @sunsetconnect CARE BY DESIGN

MIXED BERRY 18:1 GUMMIES REVIEW BY ALEXA JESSE @ALEXAJESSE

Reminiscent of traditional gum drops, Care by Design’s 18:1 gummies are a nice blend of cannabinoids, with 10mg of CBD/.55mg THC per gummy. These vegan treats are ideal for those seeking a mellow chill, relief from anxiety, or a light dose to take the edge off a stressful afternoon. They are a great edible option for new patient experimentation without worrying about getting stoned. Also available in 1:1 and 4:1 ratios. 10mg CBD & 0.55mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg CBD & 5.5mg THC/package | cbd.org | @carebydesign JELLY WIZARD

ROSIN JELLIES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

The self-described “terpiest wizard in the land,” the Jelly Wizard reigns as a prime purveyor of heady rosin-infused jellies. With initial batches selling out swiftly, these jellies have a solid following, and for good reason. The multicolored, multi-flavored jellies pack some serious heat, with a sweetness not unlike substantial cotton candy, or Lucky Charms marshmallows. Look for the little pink package, and be prepared for the edible rosin to work its magic. 10mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/package Jellywizardcannabis.co | @jellywizard707

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

the EDIBLES issue

GUMMIES GARCIA HANDPICKED

JERRY’S PICKS GUMMIES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

If there were an award for packaging that matches the product within, Garcia Handpicked would win it with their Jerry’s Picks.

This product offers a psychedelic homage to the Grateful Dead bandleader Jerry Garcia, with a trippy, durable tin filled with guitar pick-shaped gummies at a low-key 5mg THC each. Juicy, chewy and slightly tart, these gummies don’t miss a note, and many will appreciate that the lower dose and higher number of pieces means more gummy goodness for the price. 5mg THC/gummy serving 100mg THC/package | garciahandpicked.com @garciahandpicked

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SPACE GEM DISTRICT EDIBLES

INFUSED GUMMIES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Classy and minimalist, the District Edibles gummy pack features a Zippo lighter-shaped hard plastic case containing a blister pack full of precisely dosed gummy goodness, currently lifting minds and hearts in eight states across the U.S. Available in a variety of both sweet and sour flavors, the District gummies come in sativa, indica, hybrid and CBD-rich varieties.

10mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/package districtedibles.com | @district.edibles

DEC. 2021

SOUR SPACEDROPS REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Space Gems founder Wendy Baker embraces her solventless vision with vigor. (See Stoner Owner feature on Baker on page 18.) Her product line uses only pure ice water hash for infusion, making for impactful effects that linger long after you’re done chewing the juicy, delicious gummies she crafts. We’ve loved every Space Gem product we’ve tried, and these balanced but powerful morsels are no exception. Don’t miss the 1:1 CBD assortment either. 10mg THC/serving, 100mg THC/package | spacegemcandy.com @spacegem.ca

DEE-LICIOUS DEE

THAI GUMMIES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

With ties to Thailand, Dee-licious Dee draws heavily from its associations, adding vibrant, unique flavors to the lineup of top-notch edibles coming out of the Natura kitchen. The lineup proudly showcases flavors that might seem esoteric and exotic to the American palate, such as jackfruit, lychee, and mangosteen – which is Thailand’s national fruit. These gummies don’t shy away from Cannabis flavor, instead choosing to accent the strong dankness with complementary fruit flavors. 10mg THC/gummy serving | 100mg THC/package natura.io

UNCLE ARNIE’S

MATT’S HIGH GUMMIES

STIIIZY

REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

NANO-ENHANCED GUMMIES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Leave it to Stiiizy to stand out, with their flat, triangular packaging offering an eye-catching counterpoint to the traditional mylar bags found in most of the gummy world. Inside, you’ll find similarly angular treats that live up to Stiiizy’s considerable and ever-growing reputation for quality. We found the sour apple flavor particularly delicious – be careful or you’ll end up taking almost 100mg to the dome before you remind yourself they’re infused. 10mg THC/gummy serving 90mg THC/package | stiiizy.com | #staystiiizy

Uncle Arnie’s is well known for providing one of the best bang-for-your-buck beverage options with their iced tea lemonade, but did you know they make one of the best bang-for-your-buck gummies on the market too? No joke: With two unique flavors, cherry cola and pineapple orange blitz, these gummies are nano-infused for a quick onset and loaded with flavor. 10mg THC/gummy serving 100mg THC/package @officialunclearnies

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

the EDIBLES issue

CANDIES

DOLLAR DOSE

HARD CANDY LOZENGES REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

SPACE GEMS

There is no better way to add an extra dollar or two to your order at a dispensary than the Dollar Dose. These no-frills hard candies pack delicious, candy-bowl flavors and THC in micro doses into single-serve packs for only $1.

Our favorite was root beer, but they also offer hibiscus, watermelon and apple, along with an expanded assortment of other products, including a CBD variety.

5mg THC/package | dollardose.com | @dollar_dose

REVIEW BY ALEXA JESSE @ALEXAJESSE

PUNCH EDIBLES

SWEET WILDBERRY MIND EXPANDING BELT Convenient for high dose cannasseurs, this legacy candy is made with real blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries combined with organic, Humboldt-grown ice water hash for a delicious, full-body buzz. The 100mg belt can be enjoyed in one sitting or is scored into 10mg doses, which can be cut up and microdosed.

The reusable, recyclable tins are great for storing bud or other goodies. Always vegan, solventless and cosmic, available in sweet and sour varieties. 10mg THC/serving | 100mg THC/package spacegemcandy.com | @spacegem.ca

MALT BALLS REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

If you’re an old school soul who loves malt balls and chocolate malteds, you absolutely must not sleep on Punch Edibles Malt Balls. This company capitalizes hard on vintage candy shoppe kitsch, and the world is better for it. Available in multiple flavors, including classic chocolate, strawberry white chocolate and cookies ‘n’ cream, these are simply fantastic candies – with or without the Cannabis infusion. 10mg THC/serving, 90mg THC/package punchedibles.com | @punchedibles_us

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SONDER

SPACE CRYSTALS

KIVA

LOST FARM LIVE RESIN FRUIT CHEWS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s like a party in my mouth” – but Sonder Space Crystals is like an entire EDM festival under your tongue. Not technically an edible, this sublingual treat combines tantalizing flavors and the snap and crackle of pressurized confections, displaying a lively dance behind your teeth.

As a bonus, sublinguals, by nature, boast quicker uptake times. You won’t have to wait an hour and a half to feel the sparkle – these will start to sink in after 20-30 minutes. 10mg THC/package | sondertime.com | @sondertime

We first encountered Kiva’s Lost Farm Live Resin Fruit Chews at Hall of Flowers, and were immediately enamored with the nostalgia of unwrapping a thin, chewy square from its wax paper. Coming in a variety of strain-specific live resin flavors such as Blue Dream Blueberry and Gelato Watermelon, these will be a hit for anyone who loved their classic uninfused analog – which we won’t name by brand because we don’t want anyone spoiling the fun. 10mg THC/ serving, 100mg THC/package kivaconfections.com | @madebykiva

DEC. 2021

BEVERAGES SHOKI

PINEAPPLE SPIRIT-FREE AFRO CARIBBEAN COCKTAIL MIXER REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

Shoki creates a uniquely diverse product that’s fully ready for your glass on its own, but also makes the perfect mixer for a handcrafted cocktail or mocktail. We fell in love with the pineapple version, thanks to its healthy presence of ginger and lime, which come together to create a sweet, tart and spicy profile! Shoki very well might be the best tasting alcohol replacement option we’ve come across to date! 10mg THC/4 oz serving, 30mg THC/package tribeshoki.com | @tribeshoki ALBERT EINSTONE’S

STONEADE

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

CANN X AIRFIELD CANNABIS

MYHI

ARTET & ASTER FARMS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

In rock ‘n’ roll, this collab would be called a supergroup. Beverage powerhouse Cann teamed up with Airfield Supply Co., Sweet Flower, and pop artist Tove Lo for this peachy little number powered by THC, plus a dose of yerba mate-sourced caffeine. If you’re the type who prefers mate over coffee or other sources of imbibable energy, or if you simply love what Cann puts out, you’ll want to pick up a fourpack of this from Sweet Flower in SoCal or Airfield Supply Co. in San Jose, which are the only retailers carrying the collab. 5mg THC/12 oz can drinkcann.com | @drinkcann

One California Leaf staffer referred to these as “drinkable pixie stix,” and that pretty much nails the vibe of this stand-out product from MyHi. Each pouch contains five long, slender tubes filled with sweetened, Cannabis and caffeine infused powder that dissipates when added to liquid. It’s a no-frills, convenient way to add a boost to any drink, offering people a choice to either pour the powder out of the end, or peel off a sticker and simply stir your drink with the stick, slowly infusing the liquid. 5mg THC/serving, 25mg THC/package | getmyhi.com @getmyhi

Frequenters of high-end cocktail bars, you have found a new jam. This boutique sipper from Artet – infused using live resin of Frosted Zin x 3 Bears OG from the always amazing Aster Farms – is lushly laden with notes of pine, herbs, and menthol bolstered by a spicy bite on the finish. We could see this working beautifully in a seasonal cocktail, or as a perfect alcohol replacement for those who love the rigor of sipping an Amaro after a long shift. 75mg THC/750ml bottle artet.com | @drinkartet

PASSION PEACH MATE

DRINK MIX STIR STIX

LIVE RESIN APERITIF

Albert Einstone’s first got our attention with their El Blunto – a high-end hash-infused cannagar that you certainly need to try if you haven’t had the pleasure. On the lighter, more playful side comes their Stoneade line of beverage shots. These little tubes of sweet and tart goodness come in multiple flavors, including classic lemonade and watermelon lemonade.

They’re bound to fill you with nostalgia for childhood antics on hot summer days. Perfect for a lemonade stand, if not for the prohibitive licensing fees. Mix it with soda or take the shot straight from the tube – either way, it’ll bring you the infused refreshment you’re looking for. 10mg THC/1 oz serving, 20mg THC/package alberteinstones.com @alberteinstones

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

the EDIBLES issue

SUPER MELLOWS

CANNABIS-INFUSED MARSHMALLOWS

38

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Luscious, pillowy and phenomenally dank, these scrumptious cannabinoid clouds out of San Francisco would go ridiculously well with a cup of hot chocolate.

Each pouch contains one large mallow brimming with 100mg THC. Available in a number of inventive flavors, such as Birthday Cake, Black Sesame, Raspberry Rose Lychee, Orange Dreamsicle, Peanut Butter Pretzel and more. 6.25mg THC/ serving | 100mg THC/package | getmellows.com | @getmellows

LA FAMILIA

ABUELITA HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES

leafmagazines.com

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

For those of us with the memories, it’s hard to beat the cookies fresh out of the oven at Grandma’s house.

Abuelita (Grandma) Hot Chocolate Cookies plays on that memory, as well as the famed brand of spiced Mexican drinking chocolate of the same name. With a sweet crunch and a spicy cinnamon overtone, these cookies from La Familia in Los Angeles tap that vein of deep nostalgia. 10mg THC/ cookie | 100mg THC/package oflosangeles.com @lafamiliachocolate

BAKED/SAVORY & OTHER TREATS

DEC. 2021

POP-UP POTCORN

10:1 THC:CBD POPCORN

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

Popcorn can be a tricky beast in the Cannabis edibles world, because once you start munching, sometimes the perpetual munchie machine kicks in and before you know it, you’ve eaten an entire bag.

Luckily, Pop-Up Potcorn doses their popcorn to one dose per bag, saving the trouble of policing your personal intake.

The jalapeño cheddar flavor featured a snappy crunch and a slight kick, with a flavor pleasantly more subtle than many commercial pre-popped corn brands. 10mg THC & 1mg CBD/package popuppotcorn.com @popuppotcorn

EMERALD SKY

CREME-FILLED CHOCOLATE COOKIES

LA FAMILIA

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

We know what you’re thinking, but these aren’t called by the name on the tip of your mind’s tongue. No, what Emerald Sky offers here is a Creme-Filled Chocolate Cookie, and a darn fine one at that. At 10mg THC per serving, lighter consumers will want to make sure they have some of those other, uninfused cookies on hand to pair with the rest of their glass of milk. But for the rest of you, simply unwrap, twist, dip, crunch – and repeat.

10mg THC/serving | 100mg THC/package emeraldskyedibles.com @emeraldskyedibles

Not settling for cookies alone, La Familia also delivers the deliciousness with their Fresa Krispies, which combine puffed rice, marshmallow cream, and slight fruity character into a sweet square of irresistible flavors. This is one where we immediately craved a tray of unmedicated krispie treats, so we could just keep the flavor flowing. 10mg THC/piece | 100mg THC/package oflosangeles.com | @lafamiliachocolate

ALT

F.A. NINO’S

ADVANCED LIQUID TECHNOLOGY

SMOKIN’ GREEN POT SAUCE

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

In a field of over-the-top flavors and rich, confectionary creations, a near flavorless, colorless liquid stands out among the pack. ALT, which stands for Advanced Liquid Technology, offers a clear, easy shot to add to just about any liquid. 10mg THC/package | altlife.com @altpotential

FRESA KRISPIES

For those looking to really kick it up a notch for a fire feast at home, F.A. Nino’s line of infused sauces offers a tasty addition to any table.

The Smokin’ Green Pot Sauce has a slightly spicy verde character, with a low enough dose density to get enough flavor without saucing yourself under the table. 10mg THC/serving 100mg THC/bottle faninos.com | @faninos_godfatherofsauce

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

the EDIBLES issue

Holiday GIFT GUIDE 1 MyBudVase Artisan Vase/Bong

Smoking made beautiful, this South Carolina-based company adds a chic element to your stoney lifestyle. With a wide selection of tasteful designs, the hardest part will be deciding if you want to put it to use, or simply keep it on display. @mybudvase - $125-$225

2 Wokeface Magnetic Lid Rolling Tray 40

You won’t be using a boring tray again anytime soon. This artfully adorned magnetic lid and rolling tray go together like peanut butter and jelly. Mobile joint rolling optimized! @wokeface - $20

1

3 Pax Era Life vaporizer

Airy and diminutive with 2.5x the battery life, you’ll top this unique vape battery with an oil-filled pod for a pint-sized powerhouse puff. With so many color designs to choose from, it’s a stoney extension of your personality. @pax_official - $35

4 Blazy Susan Spinning Rolling Tray

The ultimate home base for all your weed things. If your life requires more organization, this will keep every dab accessory right where you left it. Spin to win! @blazysusan - $80-$145

2

leafmagazines.com

5 Phoenix Art Project Natural Resin Art

This handmade desk art is designed from pieces of nature collected in New England and cured in eco poxy, environmentally-friendly resin. Framed, on the desk, or hanging from the tree – Cannabis enthusiasts will cherish the uniqueness. @pheonixartproject - $30-$89

6 Dynavap Battery-Free Vaporizor

The innovative design allows clean air flow, which equates to an old school meets new cool experience. With more control over the temperature, you’re distinctly in charge with ultimate access to the true flavor of your weed and oil. Dynamite! @dynavap - $87-$225

7 sitka hash dome

High end smokeware is few and far between, but this old school hash company is bringing the dome to your home. Bucket list complete! @sitkagold - $150

DEC. 2021

8 tOTEEZ MINI BINS

Who needs a nug jug when you’ve got a tiny tote? Now you can match your weed stash with your garage stash with this cute, durable box. @toteeztinytotes - $10

9 Puff Puff Pass Card Games Put the drinking games back in the closet for a stonified replacement.

Thought provoking cards allow players to modify the rules as they go, making the fun virtually limitless. @playpuffpuffpass - $15

10 13

9 11

7

12

8

6

5 3

4

10 EZ Pipe Ooze Lighter Pipe Combo

Take your entire show on the road with the Swiss Army Knife of weed pipes.

Inexpensive and practical, it’s an all-in-one compact device that keeps all your vital tools in one handy place. @ezlitepipe - $9.99

11 Powerhitter 12 Vessel Touchless Smoking Vape batteries Since the 1970s, this squeezable tube has been letting you rip it without lipping it.

Load a joint inside and watch the smoke pour into your mouth like fog rolling over the hilltops. Now you can smoke a joint in the shower! @powerhitterco - $25

Where discretion meets style, these beauties are at the top of their class. With sleek designs and high-end functionality, you’ll feel spoiled with every taste. If you’re spending on quality oil, it makes sense to invest in the best. @vessel_brand $45-$60

13 stACHE RIO DAB RIG

Whether at home or away, this cold-start device will get you properly ignited. With a built-in torch, dead batteries and burnt coils are a thing of the past. @stacheproducts - $199

REVIEWS by LEAF NATION STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

cooking with cannabis

R EC I P E S b y LAU RIE WOLF | P HOTO b y B RUC E WOLF

food gifts To see what works for your dog, try a half biscuit first.

Some dogs will need more CBD for treating pain, or if they are very large, experiment starting low.

H

OMEMADE FOOD GIFTS ARE THE BEST. Since most of the folks who give me presents love eating as much as I do, there have been some pretty remarkable gifts. You too can be the giver of “special” extraordinary treats.

The white chocolate bites are lightly infused, filled with dried cherries, sliced almonds, coconut and a dusting of chili powder. A little different and they travel well (unless it’s in the middle of the summer). And this fudgy, chippy, toffee-laden brownie may become your new favorite. Last but not least, the CBD-only dog biscuits will help your anxious pet get in a good head space for holiday entertaining. My little dogs have a lot to say when people come over; the treats chill them out so they seem well-adjusted.

I’ve infused all these recipes with my absolute favorite strain: Forbidden Fruit, from the talented folks at Sugar Tree Farm.

This fragrant strain never disappoints. I like to keep doses pretty low this time of year – be mellow, enjoy and take it easy!

Makes 50, 10mg CBD biscuits

FIDO’S FRIENDS 3 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup coconut flour 2 eggs 1 cup peanut butter, nothing but 1/3 cup CBD oil 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, i.e. broccoli, peas, corn, green beans, carrot (chopped) 1 tablespoon no salt bouillon, chicken, beef or vegetable 1 cup hot water 2 teaspoons turmeric

1. Heat oven to 300.

2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Press into a greased 9x9 inch pan. Using a sharp knife cut into 30 pieces.

3. Bake biscuits for 50-60 minutes. The biscuits should appear dry. They can be cooked longer, dogs are not gonna care.

Leave the biscuits in the oven for a couple of hours after the oven is turned off. Keep frozen, they will last longer.

42

Makes 4 dozen bites

TOFFEE CHIP BROWNIE BITES 1 pkg. fudge brownie mix 1 cup water 3 eggs 1/4 cup oil 1/4 cup canna-oil or butter, melted and cooled 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup toffee bits, plus extra for topping

leafmagazines.com

1. Heat oven to 340. Spray mini muffin pans.

2. Prepare the brownies according to the package instructions. Replace 1/4 cup of the regular oil with 1/4 cup canna-oil or cannabutter. Add the chips and toffee, stir to combine.

3. Fill the 48 muffin cups two-thirds full.

4. Bake the brownies for 21-25 minutes, or do the toothpick test.

5. Remove the brownies and sprinkle with more toffee bits. Do not operate heavy machinery.

Makes 32, 5mg THC bites

SPICY WHITE CHOCOLATE BITES 2 1/2 cups white chocolate chips 1/8 cup canna-oil or butter 1/3 cup chopped dried cherries 1/3 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup shredded coconut Chili powder

1. Line mini muffin pans with paper liners.

2. Place the chocolate and oil in a microwave safe bowl. Melt in 20 second intervals, stirring every time.

3. Stir in the cherries, almonds and coconut.

4. Drop the mixture into the muffin liners.

Sprinkle with a tiny pinch of chili powder.

5. Allow to sit at room temperature to set, at least an hour. Serve with or without paper liners.

DEC. 2021

#D ont feart heedi ble #sharelov e #gi v i ngi sgood #peaceonea rth # p la y nice | La uriea nd Ma ryJa ne.com

Wana Reason to Celebrate?

Get to Know North America's #1 Edibles Brand

Now in Classic and Fast-Acting Flavors wanabrands.com

cannthropology

44

WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS

Legalizing The Last Frontier

leafmagazines.com

How the second-to-last state to join the Union became the second US state to decriminalize marijuana.

Activist attorney Irwin Ravin—known as the grandfather of If you asked the average American which states Alaska’s Cannabis legalization movement. were the pioneers of Cannabis legalization, off – eventually opening a law they’d likely answer California and Colorado. practice together in AnchorBut in reality, Oregon was actually the first state to decriminalize marijuana age and getting high together way back in 1973, followed soon after by Alaska in 1975. And unlike the often. It was during one of their former states, who legalized Cannabis through voter initiatives, both Oregon smoke sessions in late 1972 and Alaska did so through their state legislatures. In Alaska’s case, that law that the duo began plotting to was undoubtedly influenced by an iconic act of civil disobedience by the overturn what they viewed as man who would become known as the grandfather of the state’s marijuana the state’s unjust Cannabis law. movement: Irwin Ravin.

Ravin’s legal partner/defense attorney and The political conditions there former state NORML rep Robert Wagstaff. seemed ripe for change: Earlier THAT’S SO RAVIN that very year, Alaskans had amended their state constitution to include an Irwin Ravin was born on June 20, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey, and grew explicit right to privacy (Article 1, Section 22). Plus, the justices on the state’s up in a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish home in the nearby suburb of Hillside.

Supreme Court were among the youngest and most liberal in the country. All Irwin, it seems, developed a fondness for marijuana at an early age – as the partners needed was the right test case to mount their legal challenge. evidenced by the recollection of his younger sister Deena, who claimed that Luckily for them, fate would soon intervene on their behalf. he was growing his own plants by the time he was 16 years old. At age 20, On the evening of December 11, 1972, Ravin was pulled over for a he dropped out of college to join the Army, serving an 18-month stint in broken tail light in Anchorage. It was just a routine traffic stop, but it providKorea (1959-1960). After his tour was up, Ravin returned home to complete ed him the perfect opportunity and he decided to act: Knowing he had two his education: first graduating from Rutgers University, then NYU Law School. joints in his coat pocket, he refused to sign the ticket and deliberately got Upon passing the bar exam, he went to work for his uncle Morris as a law himself arrested – allegedly even holding up the weed in his hand until he clerk at the family firm of Ravin and Ravin. But after the Newark race riots in was taken into custody.

July 1967, Ravin chose to flee the dangers of the inner city; within a month, “It wasn’t even my car,” he recalled in a 1990 Homer News article. “I he moved his wife and two young sons up to Fairbanks, Alaska. made them arrest me, and then gave them the pot.”

It was there in Fairbanks that he met a fellow pot-smoking lawyer (and Ravin’s arrest provided him and Wagstaff the perfect vehicle to attempt to assistant district attorney) named Robert Wagstaff. A jazz fan originally from overturn the existing Cannabis law.

Kansas City, Wagstaff had been smoking reefer since 1961. The pair hit it

DEC. 2021

“It wasn’t about pot – it was about the right to privacy,” Ravin told the Homer News in October 1990. “It was a philosophy of freedom from government intrusion into personal life.”

Ravin was charged with violating Alaska Statute 17.12.010 – possession of Cannabis for personal use. At a District Court hearing in early May 1973, Wagstaff (and another lawyer they brought on by the name of R. Collin Middleton) filed a motion to dismiss the charge. Ravin’s team put forth a two-pronged legal strategy: First, they argued that in light of the constitution’s right to privacy guarantee, there was no legitimate state interest in prohibiting possession of marijuana by adults for personal use; second, they argued that marijuana’s classification as a dangerous drug was irrational and prohibition was irrational: The court – citing the separation of powers therefore denied Ravin due process and – deferred to the legislature to address it … which, it just so happened, equal protection under the law. they were in the process of doing.

Before long, Ravin’s case was being championed by both NORML (of which DECRIM WIN Wagstaff was now the organization’s Serendipitously, while Ravin’s case was being state coordinator) and the ACLU, whose deliberated by the court, the Alaska State LegAnchorage chapter president Sally Coegislature had begun moving forward on a new hom expressed her support to the press.

Cannabis reform bill. Sponsored by young Re“The circumstances of arrest have publican state senator Terry Miller of Fairbanks, no relevance to the issue,” Coeghom SB 350 decriminalized possession of up to one said in an article in the Fairbanks Daily ounce of marijuana for adults 18 years or older, News-Miner (on, of all days, April 20th). reducing it to a mere civil infraction punish“The state cannot constitutionally declare able by a fine of $100 or less. Fearing that its a substance illegal unless it is proven to passage might dissuade the court from rulbe harmful. The clear evidence is that On May 16, 1975, ing in their favor, Wagstaff actually testified marijuana is harmless, period.” against the bill – a position that justifiably the personal NORML flew in several expert witnessdrew ire from his NORML colleagues. Nevuse, possession es to testify on Ravin’s behalf, including ertheless, on May 16 – just 11 days before esteemed Harvard psychiatrist (and godthe court’s ruling – the bill passed, and with and cultivation father of medical marijuana) Dr. Lester Governor Jay Hammond’s declination to of Cannabis Grinspoon, who attested to the relative neither sign nor veto it, became the law of had effectively harmlessness of the plant. Together, the land.

Ravin, NORML and the ACLU mainWhether the legislation had any effect on become legal in tained that the burden of proof lied with the court’s decision or vice versa is uncertain Ravin at work in his office.

Alaska. the government to show that there was a … what was certain, however, was that the “compelling public interest” in prohibiting personal use, possession and cultivation (thanks to a subsequent ruling the drug. Unsurprisingly, the state didn’t agree. by the state attorney general) of Cannabis had effectively become legal in AlasOn Nov 17, 1973, the District Court ruled that ka. What’s more, this new law essentially nullified the charge against Ravin, who the law was indeed constitutional and denied was now basically off the hook. their motion. Undeterred, Ravin’s team ap“He won,” his sister was quoted as saying, “and he became a Paul Bunyan, a pealed to the Superior Court (which upheld the folk hero up there.” prior decision), and then finally to the Alaskan Supreme Court.

LEGALIZATION LEGACY The Supreme Court took up their case on In the years that followed, Cannabis law in Alaska was liberalized even further: October 16, 1974. After hearing two hours of first in 1982, when the $100 fine was removed, and again in 1986 when the oral arguments and testimony from the expert maximum possession amount was raised to four ounces in the home and one witnesses, the court adjourned to deliberate. ounce in public. Then in 1990, in a remarkable reversal of course, Alaskans Six months later – on May 27, 1975 – they passed Ballot Measure 2 which re-criminalized possession of small amounts of announced their unanimous verdict.

Cannabis – making it a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to 90 Regarding the first question, the court condays in jail. But thanks to the precedent set by Ravin v. Alaska, that initiative was cluded that Alaskan’s right to privacy “would ultimately struck down as unconstitutional. encompass the possession and ingestion of As for Ravin, he eventually retired from the legal profession and ended up substances such as marijuana in a purely perdriving a taxi in Homer. On April 7, 2010, he suffered a heart attack and was sonal, non-commercial context in the home.” sent to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage where he died four That landmark decision made the Alaska days later. He was 70 years old.

Supreme Court the first and only court in the Though Irwin Ravin didn’t live to see Cannabis fully legalized for adult use in history of the United States to recognize a Alaska in 2014 (another Measure 2), he did live long enough to see it legalconstitutional right to privacy in regard to Canized for medicinal use in 1998 (Measure 8), and was also around to see his nabis. Granted, those protections were limited landmark ruling survive another challenge in 2003 (in the case of Noy v. State).

NY Times article announcing the to within an individual’s private residence – but More importantly, though, Ravin’s legacy as an Alaskan icon of personal liberty Alaska Supreme Court decision this was nevertheless a monumental victory for remains as solid and enduring as the great Denali.

May 28, 1975. the pro-Cannabis and libertarian causes.

“It wasn’t about pot – it was about the right to privacy,” Ravin later told the Homer News in October 1990.

For more about legalization in Alaska, listen to Episode #17 “It was a philosophy of freedom from government intrusion into of our podcast at worldofCannabis.museum/cannthropology. personal life.”

Regarding the second issue, as to whether or not marijuana’s Story and photos originally published on worldofCannabis.museum and reprinted with permission.

STO RY b y B O B BY B LAC K @ CAN N T H RO PO LO G Y for LEA F NAT IO N

DEENA OKSENHORN

RAVIN V. ALASKA

the stoney EDIBLES baloney issue LEAFMAGAZINES.COM leafmagazines.com

46

LET’S BE FRANK, getting a shitty gift that is only going to end up in the garage stuffed inside a plastic bin for the next eight years is a burden you didn’t ask for. Yet, you’re forced to choke out a smile while pretending that a jigsaw puzzle of a flower garden somewhere in Germany has been the missing piece to completing your own life puzzle.

Unexpectedly, you are thrust into an acting role, forced to exemplify the positive attributes of an item for which you not only have zero interest, but resent for even being categorized as someone who would. You first comment on the colorful packaging, secretly hoping that grandma accidentally farts and deters the attention of the room so you can slide it aside in hopes that the distraction will direct the party onward to the next present in line.

You summon grandma’s bowels through the manifestation of positive thinking. It works.

She is oblivious while everyone cringes, awkwardly ignoring the robust rip that just filled the delicate air. Except for Uncle Ernie, who busts out in a gargled gut laugh and you think the gin blossoms on his nose are going to pop.

“Weather reports say beware of breaking wind!”

The room eventually settles. There is a moment when you meet eyes with the benefactor of said gift, as the person calculates your guise. You are uncertain of how to react, measuring their nuances for a tick, looking for a crack in their façade in the attempt of determining the level of excitement that is expected. You wonder how they could have possibly concluded that this gift was a personal fit for you, but fuck it. For the sake of pleasantry, you play the role and tell them it’s perfect.

Your cousin Tara, who gets it, takes a hit from her vape pen and nods with a subtle smirk.

Funny how we never get re-gifted Cannabis products.

DEC. 2021 DEC. 2021

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