Dec. 2022 - California Leaf

WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER wes@leafmagazines.com

MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com

TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com

BOBBY BLACK STATE CONTENT DIRECTOR bobbyblack@leafmagazines.com

NATE WILLIAMS SALES OPS & DISTRIBUTION nate@leafmagazines.com (415) 717-6985

O’HARA SHIPE ONLINE EDITOR ohara@leafmagazines.com

MEGHAN RIDLEY COPY EDITOR meghan@leafmagazines.com

ABOUT THE COVER

As Cannabis edibles continue to emerge as one of the industry’s fastest growing markets, Leaf Nation sought to showcase how that acceptance and embrace could yield a new twist on the holiday party scene. Our heads dancing with visions of Norman Rockwell and other nostalgic artists, Creative Director Daniel Berman worked with Brooklyn-based illustrator Kiki Kita to bring the concept to life.

Kita grew up in Nagoya, Japan and Dallas, Texas, and counts Smithsonian Magazine and Hilton among her diverse clientele.

Kita’s work has also been recognized by the prestigious American Illustration competition and the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles.

KITA for LEAF NATION FOLLOW @_KITAKIKI

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY, FEATURES

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES

STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS

MATT JACKSON, FEATURES

ALEXA JESSE, FEATURES

KIKI KITA, ILLUSTRATION

SARA MILLS-GAINES, SALES

JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING

MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS

ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES

DAN VINKOVETSKY, PHOTOS + FEATURES

NATE WILLIAMS, REVIEWS

FLETCHER WOLD, PHOTOS

WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up the Edibles Issue of the Leaf! The holidays are here and there’s no better time to fill up on tasty treats that will put a real sparkle in the Christmas lights this year. December is a huge month for edibles, and no wonder, with so many family gatherings and white elephant parties to attend. And there’s nothing more satisfying than quietly crunching an infused peppermint bark chocolate bar as the kids go on a sugar bender and half the adults on a booze-fueled festivus, while the rest of the family casts their all-to sober and judgemental looks from across the room.

No wonder Santa has an eating disorder – he has to change his final list constantly to accommodate all the end of the year drama, and people don’t even give him weed cookies! Is it true that kids in states with legal weed have cooler presents and happier holidays than in places where ganja is illegal? I digress, as my own edibles and coffee must really be kicking in…

But here’s the thing: I personally love edibles so much that some days I don’t smoke weed. Nonetheless, I have a constant layer of cannabinoids kicking around in my bloodstream – with specific dosages and blended options including CBD for pain relief and anxiety, Delta 8 THC for less psychoactivity, CBG for the giggles or CBN for sleepy time. You really can dial in your experience one milligram or serving at a time. We live in a glorious era for edibles, and I never take that for granted.

When I started the Leaf in 2010, testing for THC percentages in bud wasn’t available and we had little to no idea about other cannabinoids, terpenes or the entourage effect. Edibles came in dosages like XXX and were wildly inconsistent – to the extent that I didn’t eat them for many years. It only takes one bad trip to teach most users to read the label, and it wasn’t until testing for Cannabis potency at Analytical 360 in Seattle became available that I started sampling infused treats.

The daze of ziplock brownies are long gone, and most people don’t have time for homemade edible adventures – but thankfully we have the option to head to the store and enjoy a selection of infused drinks, mints, treats and even chips in some markets. For my full advice on edible do’s and don’ts, check out my piece later in the magazine, but here is my core advice: Always read the label and think twice before eating more. Edibles take a long time to kick in, but once you’re on the journey, the train doesn’t stop until you wake up the next morning.

And remember, no matter what, you will wake up – so don’t waste a trip in an ambulance. The only way edibles could kill you is if a giant tote bin full of them fell on your head.

-Wes Abney

“WE LIVE IN A GLORIOUS ERA FOR EDIBLES, AND I NEVER TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.”

KIKI

SEAN COMBS GETS INTO THE WEED BUSINESS

Hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs is venturing into the world of Cannabis.

Combs has agreed to acquire licensed Cannabis operations in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois, in a deal worth up to $185 million. The transaction marks Combs’ first investment in marijuana and will reportedly create the country’s first minority-owned, vertically-integrated, multi-state Cannabis company. It will also reportedly be the world’s largest Blackowned marijuana operation, according to a release from Combs and the companies.

The transaction comes after Cresco Labs earlier this year agreed to purchase rival Columbia Care in a $2 billion deal. The acquisition makes Cresco the top U.S. marijuana producer. It was one of the biggest deals in the Cannabis industry, and required Cresco to divest assets in limited-license markets including New York state.

The deal includes four retail stores and one production facility in the Empire State; three retail stores and one production facility in Massachusetts; and two retail stores and one production facility in Illinois.

“My mission has always been to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in industries where we’ve traditionally been denied access,” Combs said. “And this acquisition provides the immediate scale and impact needed to create a more equitable future in Cannabis.”

GERMANY ENABLES CONTROLLED CANNABIS CULTIVATION & DISTRO

ermany will permit adults to purchase and possess up to 30 grams (a little over an ounce) of Cannabis for adult use, reports Bloomberg. The ruling coalition is fulfilling its promise to legalize weed, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet approved a proposal allowing controlled cultivation and distribution of marijuana. Germany, with Europe’s biggest economy, wants to discourage the illegal (and untaxed) market for the herb.

The coalition government last year struck an agreement to introduce legislation allowing distribution of Cannabis in licensed shops.

The plan would also allow home cultivation of three marijuana plants per adult, reports the BBC.

MARYLAND AND MISSOURI LEGALIZE ADULT-USE CANNABIS

MARYLAND VOTERS in November overwhelmingly passed a measure making the state the twentieth to legalize marijuana for adult use. Meanwhile, 53% of Missouri residents approved a legalization measure of their own.

Under Maryland legalization, possessing amounts between 1.5 ounces and 2.5 ounces will be subject to civil fines. Possession of greater amounts will remain subject to existing criminal penalties. Adults can grow up to two marijuana plants.

Missouri’s new law allows adults to possess up to three ounces of marijuana. Adults can home-cultivate up to six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six plants under 14 inches for personal use.

FIVE TEXAS CITIES PASS DECRIM LAWS

VOTERS IN five Texas cities in November decided in favor of municipal ballot initiatives eliminating local enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses.

Voters in the cities of Denton, Killeen, San Marcos, Elgin and Harker Heights decided ‘yes’ on the measures. Specifically, the ordinances limit local law enforcement from making arrests or issuing citations for most marijuana-related violations. It also prohibits police in most circumstances from considering the odor of Cannabis as probable cause of a crime.

“Texans have shown that they want major Cannabis law reforms in Texas via polling, legislative engagement, and now at the local ballot box,” Texas NORML Executive Director Jax James said. “This will have a positive impact on the almost half a million people living in these cities.”

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR PROMISES LEGALIZATION

INCUMBENT Governor Tim Walz (DFL) is planning for Cannabis legalization with Democrats newly in control of the Minnesota Legislature. Spark ‘em if you got them!

The governor promised it will be “one of the first” bills to pass in 2023, according to former governor Jesse Ventura. Walz called him to chat about the implications of November’s midterm election results, Ventura said.

Walz extended an invitation to former wrestling star Ventura – a longtime Cannabis activist – to the anticipated signing ceremony once lawmakers deliver a legalization bill to the governor’s desk.

MISSOURI GROUP PLANS POT-FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT AREA

states – Maryland and Missouri – legalized adult-use Cannabis in November’s election.

years have passed since Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize adult-use marijuana.

states have legalized adult-use Cannabis, with two more added after the Nov. 2022 elections.

of voters in Elgin, Tex. approved a city ordinance that will officially decriminalize marijuana.

W

ell, that didn’t take long. Just a day after Missouri voters legalized adult-use marijuana, developers were already rolling out plans for an entertainment district allowing people to consume marijuana onsite.

It will be known as the Smokey River Entertainment District. Planners want to build it in the small village of River Bend, along the Missouri River, north of Independence.

“You go to any music venue throughout the United States, Cannabis has been a part of it whether you know it or not. Whether it was legal or illegal,” said Besa Hospitality Group Marketing VP Joey Pintozzi.

He envisions wedding venues, an amphitheater, clubs, restaurants and spots for adults to consume marijuana. “It’s normalizing Cannabis in everyday life,” Pintozzi said.

MICHIGAN

A JUDGE ALLOWS VIRIDIS’ LAWSUIT TO PROCEED

judge has cleared Viridis North to move forward with its lawsuit against four individuals who worked for the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). The lawsuit alleges these individuals violated Viridis North’s constitutional rights. According to the suit, they did so by issuing what the company terms “a baseless recall” in November 2021.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney ruled that Viridis North’s suit can continue. This entitles the company to receive documents, discover evidence and question people under oath. This is to determine any individual liability among CRA leadership and staff for their roles in last year’s recall. The recall was against marijuana tested by Viridis North in Bay City, Mich.

“We applaud the Court for allowing this case to move forward so Viridis North can seek justice,” said David Russell, attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins, and Smith, P.C. “This was clearly an ill-conceived recall based on politics, not science, and we intend to pursue all remedies in court. It’s high time for the state to admit responsibility for its actions.”

Cannabis retailers are now open in Massachusetts’ legal adult-use market.

in revenue was brought in by Colorado’s legal Cannabis market in 2021, making it the 2nd largest in the country behind California at $5.2 billion.

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

“It will be known as the Smokey River Entertainment District.”

CALIFORNIA

CANNABIS BECOMES THE THIRD-MOST VALUABLE CROP IN SONOMA COUNTY

E-40, CHANNEL TRES TO HEADLINE 2022 EMERALD CUP HARVEST BALL

This year’s Emerald Cup Harvest Ball is shaping up to be especially lit. Taking place Dec. 10-11 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, the two-day festival and gathering will be headlined by performances from two seminal California rappers: Valle jo’s E-40 and Compton’s Channel Tres. Prepare for bangers, bars and blunts galore! Packed across two music stages, the talent scheduled to appear over the weekend also includes Kamaiyah, Lee Fields, Arise Roots, Canabliss and many more. In addition to top-notch entertainment, the 19th annual Emerald Cup will continue its legacy of showcasing the state’s finest Cannabis at the peak of harvest season. Educational components include Emerald Cup Sessions with special speakers on topics ranging from psilocybin to social equity to regenerative farming practices. Growing from humble ori gins to become a landmark event on every Cannabis cultivator’s calendar, founder Tim Blake acknowledged in a press release that the marriage of music and weed at the 2022 Emerald Cup Harvest Ball simply makes sense. “Music and Cannabis have been in tertwined throughout the history of the Cup,” Blake said. “We’re excited to announce this year’s musical line-up, featuring some of the hottest acts to discover – old and new.”

For decades, grapes have served as the undisputed star of Sonoma County’s annual crop reports. Overtaking milk as the region’s cash cow in 1987, Sonoma’s Press Democrat notes that wine grapes have seen their cash value increase by 607% in the years since. But in 2021, Cannabis earned a seat at the table to the tune of $123 million annual cash value. A staggering figure, it’s a number made all the more impressive in light of the revelation that this sum doesn’t even include hemp products –as they are now legal under federal law. In total, these figures make Cannabis the third most valuable crop in Sonoma County, just barely losing to milk production for second place. Notably, Sonoma County’s report arrives as growers and local industry players continue to urgently call on lawmakers for more support and less punitive tax structures amidst mounting economic and environmental challenges. Though grapes still remain top dog in Sonoma County, the time to recognize a new peer in the field has clearly arrived.

“BY 2021, CANNABIS EARNED A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO THE TUNE OF $123 MILLION ANNUAL CASH VALUE.”

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

CA VOTERS APPROVE NEW CANNABIS RETAIL BALLOT MEASURES, UPHOLD FLAVORED TOBACCO BAN

Last month, weed once again did well on the ballot in California as a dozen local measures intended to either create or expand retail Cannabis markets were approved by voters. In Los Angeles, a measure to implement a tax on Cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas easily passed. Meanwhile, residents of San Diego County also opted to give their approval to a new tax measure, which will seek to expand the number of legal retail Cannabis estab lishments available in the country’s fifth-most-populous county from its current tally of five. By contrast, similar measures were unsuccessful in six other municipalities, including Hermosa Beach, reflecting the divides that continue to exist even within the pro-pot confines of Califor nia. Meanwhile, at the statewide level, voters upheld a 2020 ban on flavored tobacco products that now looks likely to go into effect in the near future. Delayed for two years thanks to a tobacco industry-sup ported referendum that qualified for the 2022 ballot, Prop. 31’s suc cess offers a clear sign of the public’s concern on the subject overall.

NEW LAWSUITS ALLEGE OVERSTATED THC LEVELS IN CALIFORNIA PREROLLS

Where’s the THC?

That’s what two displeased customers of California pre-roll brand Jeeter are asking in a new lawsuit filed in October. The filing accuses Jeeter’s parent company, DreamFields Brands, Inc., of exaggerating the THC content in its prerolls. According to plaintiffs Jasper Centeno and Blake Wilson, independent tests confirmed lower than advertised levels of THC in Jeeter prerolls. Per state law, all Cannabis products must be tested and subsequently clearly labeled with information on their THC content. Additionally, if tested, the resulting THC content (listed in either milligrams or as a percentage) must be within 10% of what the label says to be in legal compliance. In a statement provided to CNN, a representative for Jeeter decried the allegations as false. “However baseless and ridiculous these claims are,” the statement read in part, “we take them very seriously and look forward to the truth coming to light.” Per reporting from WeedWeek, recent tests on Jeeter pre-rolls revealed Jeeter products labeled as containing 46% THC actually contained as little as 23-27% of the compound. On Nov. 9, a similar lawsuit was also filed against pre-roll brand King Roll.

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

PONCHO BROTHERZ PONCHO BROTHERZ

MANY DISPENSARIES like to advertise “love” as a special ingredient of their operation, but in the case of San Francisco’s Poncho Brotherz, it might actually be true. Located in the historic Mission District, this small but colorful space is, as the proprietors see it, equal parts business, temple and family living room. Walk in on any given day and you’re likely to find some combination of the Tapia brothers – Isaiah (23), Isaac (25) and Elijah (21) – behind the counter.

Before you notice them, however, your eyes will likely be absorbed by Isaiah’s artwork.

From vibrant murals depicting the Aztec god Quetzal coatl to shelves of Wenge African hardwood he carved himself, Isaiah has a story for seemingly every image and pattern contained within Poncho Brotherz.

“The inside has the theme of you standing in the waters of Mother Earth,” he said. “And our aesthetics extend to outside of the store, too.”

Indeed, passersby strolling down Cesar Chavez Street will be hard-pressed to miss the mural adorning the dispensary’s exterior. The Tapia brothers have even se cured permission from the city to turn a dormant patch of land in front of their shop into a garden – meant to offer a window into what’s been grown on their family property up in Humboldt.

Outside the store, that means a small plot of medicinal herbs like rosemary and white sage. Inside Poncho Brotherz, how ever, it’s an invitation to get reasonably-priced eighths of cultivars the Tapias attest were sourced from their roots in Colombia and Oaxaca.

“By having access to family members from Oaxaca and some cousins from Colombia, we’ve been gifted Colom bia Gold from Medellín, up in the hills, and Oaxacan Gold from up in the highlands and different mountain ranges,” said Isaac, the crew’s chief cultivator. “It’s pretty cool. We’re following our own model, basically, which is to provide real people with real medicine. We love this plant. I smoke it, he smokes it, we all smoke it together. We’re a living brand.”

It’s all part of a plan that’s come together in record time. The key figure? The Tapia’s fourth “brother” and business partner, Edward Brown.

In the span of under a year – a stunningly fast time line for a process that’s often glacially slow – Brown went from meeting the Tapias to opening the doors on Poncho Brotherz. One key was Brown being offered the chance to take over an already in-progress equity dispensary effort with a location locked down.

The other was meeting the titular Poncho Brotherz, who earned their nickname while protesting at Standing Rock in 2016 when other protestors began to identify them by the heirloom ponchos they regularly wore. Fittingly, the Tapias are also seemingly tailor-made for the Cannabis industry.

Isaac, Isaiah, and Elijiah Tapia

While Isaiah handles the artwork – which extends to the packaging on their eighth bags as well – Isaac serves as head grower and Elijah holds down chef duties on the edibles front. With Brown’s expertise on regulation round ing out the quartet, they believe what they’ve accomplished can soon be replicated – which is why they’re now looking to expand to another location within San Francisco.

“We’re just all super confident people,” Brown noted. “It goes back to our upbringing.”

By way of example, he shared that all four members of the Poncho Broth erz crew once spontaneously decided to drive to Sacramento to make an in-person appeal for their state license to be approved.

“We got tired of waiting,” he said, “so one day, we jumped in the car and we drove up to the state capitol. We walked in there and were not going to take ‘no’ for an answer. We told them our story and why we needed to open.”

Before they’d been on the road home for 10 minutes, an email con firming their state license had arrived.

“This whole journey,” Brown added, “we just keep looking back and going, ‘Damn, we did that. We did that.’”

The reward is having a home for what Poncho Brotherz calls shaman-grown Cannabis.

Incorporating elements of spiritualism, regenerative growing, genuine cultivars and a love for the plant that stretches back generations, Isaac explained that his cultivation practices honor their fam ily’s Spanish, Mexican and Indigenous lineages, while also providing customers with a chance to try strains they won’t find anywhere else.

“You don’t just get a landrace cultivar out of thin air,” he said. “You have to go and travel and obtain access to certain tribes – there’s a lot of stuff that goes into finding these landrace cultivars. We know we have the real shit because people are offering us big money for them, but you’ll only ever find them at Poncho Brotherz.”

From QR codes on their eighth packaging that links to curated playlists for each strain they sell to the “La Vida Divina” block party they recently threw to thank the local community for em bracing their business, Poncho Brotherz is ready to continue on its mission of being, in the Tapias’ assessment, San Francisco’s first-and-only, true farm-toretail dispensary.

“This isn’t about money,” Isaac explained. “This is our art. This is our music and we’re our own record label. We’re not obligated to the market. We get to bring you what we think that you would want. Period.”

REVIEW by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

“We love this plant. I smoke it, he smokes it, we all smoke it together. We're a living brand.”

~ Isaac Tapia

WAGYU ROSIN

Globs’ Wagyu is a smooth, savory combination of Meat breath and Gelato 41. What is Meatbreath, you ask? Well, bred by ThugPug, it’s a combination of Meatloaf – a strain that’s hard to get official background details on – and the ever-popular Mendo Breath, which has a lineage that includes Durban Poison, Trainwreck and White Widow.

This cold-cured rosin gives off a fuel and pepper smell that mellows about a minute after opening the jar, but always stays impressively funky. Clocking in at a nice 5.29% terps (an important detail to see listed on the box), it has that semi-greasy sheen like you’d expect to see on good meat, the lightly golden look of steak butter, plus a super gassy smell after you roll some between your fingers.

Cold starters will get the full effect of the savory smell as it warms and blooms. That spicy flavor in the front – and creamy finish – make this rosin a perfect fit to share a name with the most revered variety of Japanese beef.

True to its name, Meatbreath is known for having a diesel smell and funky taste with notes of dirt and hamburger. While that ground chuck, mineral flavor isn’t as prevalent here, the Gelato in Glob’s Wagyu also doesn’t alter the rich, funky aroma you expect from something named after a $300 steak. Instead, the 41 complements the taste, giving that meatiness a smooth added creaminess on the backend that mellows out the funk and shifts the course of the aftertaste to some thing far gassier.

Known for being a closer, the effects of this strain kick in pretty fast, making it recommended to people who don’t smoke concentrates as a one-and-done kind of thing. For more regular dabbers, this is a great way to have an end-ofthe-night session with your friends before everyone goes their separate way.

Globs’ Wagyu Rosin just dropped at the end of November and can be found in stores from Eureka to Los Angeles. For an extra special treat, pair the flavor with some crunchy, lightly seasoned green beans, set yourself to cook on medium heat, then let rest.

@RAYSINFUSEDLEMONADE FOLLOW US

Sunshine In A Bottle

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 the consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

With all of the fire flower coming out of Sacramento, the whole city seems to have its head in the clouds. That goes doubly for Nimbus Cannabis.

The up-and-coming indoor cultivator is the brainchild of Joshua King, Ari Castro and Joe Cavallero, a trio of technology-minded growers with more than 20 years of combined cultivation experience who conceived of the project in 2019.

FOCUSING ON sustainability, consistency and quality, Nimbus cultivates under LED lights with 100% tissue-culture plant stock. The grow also works with Sacramento Municipal Utility District as a Greenergy partner, so all of their power comes from wind, solar and hydro sources.

We had the chance to sample an array of new flavors from the grow – but it was the Root Beer Float that stole the show and fit perfectly for our annual Edibles Issue.

A cross between Grapefruit Soda (Romulan cross) and Sherbert, the RBF displays green, frosty nugs with vibrant amber hairs. Cracking open a jar releases pungent aromas of zesty citrus, clove and pine, mingling with slight notes of Sarsaparilla.

The limonene and b-caryophyllene terps shine through on the pleasant, easy smoke – leading to a balanced, fairly intense effect that starts off with a moodboosting wave and then settles into a body-relaxing, myrcene mellow.

We’re excited to see what Nimbus puts out in the future as the crew continues to bring in new genetics. If it’s anything like the Root Beer Float and the other flower we’ve seen so far, we’ll gladly get lost in the euphoric clouds again.

“Pungent aromas of zesty citrus, clove and pine, mingling with slight notes of Sarsaparilla.”

THE EDIBLES HALL of FAME

This feisty medical marijuana legend moved to the Bay Area during World War II to embark on a career in social activism. In the early 1980s, she volunteered at San Francisco General Hospital and became known for baking and distributing Cannabis brownies to AIDS patients suffering from wasting syndrome. After several high-profile arrests, the city eventually gave Rathbun permission to provide brownies to people with AIDS. She also helped establish Dennis Peron’s San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club – the first medical Cannabis dispensary in the U.S. For more on Brownie Mary check out Bobby Black’s Cannthopology column this month.

“...the city eventually gave Rathbun permis sion to provide brownies to peo ple with AIDS.”

“He later soured on the practice of eating weed

An author, journalist and explorer, Fitz Hugh Ludlow started eating Cannabis extracts during college at Princeton in the mid1800s – in particular a tetanus remedy called Tilden’s extract – during the time that marijuana-infused medicines were a part of the medical pharmacopeia. He wrote his autobiographical book “The Hasheesh Eater” in 1857, extolling the ability of Cannabis to enlighten and boost creativity. He later soured on the practice of eating weed after becoming addicted to opium, and unfortunately ended up expressing racist and bigoted remarks in his later works, but his influence in introducing edibles to many in the the public remains.

Way ahead of her time, Alice B. Toklas was born in San Francisco but later moved to Paris to join the emerging avant-garde movement. She had a four-decade relationship with writer Gertrude Stein and the couple hosted legendary parties for American expats, budding intellectuals and French painters. She published her “Alice B. Toklas Cook Book” in 1954 with a recipe from her artist friend in Morocco, Brion Gysin, for “Haschich Fudge” for brownies infused with Cannabis and featuring dates and figs. The original edible was later immortalized in “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas” – the 1968 film starring Peter Sellers.

“She published her “Alice B. Toklas Cook Book” in 1954.”

Born and raised in Illinois, Jim Wilson Jr. — aka Chef Ra — excelled in academics and athletics but also endured racial abuse. He soon joined the counterculture, traveling to Woodstock and Jamaica before becoming a fixture of Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash and Grateful Dead tours with his Rasta Pasta Pesto. His friend, High Times Editorin-Chief Steven Hager, hired him as an edible columnist and put him on the November 1987 cover. Ra’s ebullient personality and recipes – such as Springtime Ganja Nachos and Ultimate Hash Brownies – were also featured in the videos “Chef Ra Escapes Babylon” (1989) and “Ganja Gourmet” (2003). Sadly, Jim passed away on December 26, 2006.

“He soon joined the counterculture, traveling to Woodstock and Jamaica...”

We are pleased to be Introducing the first 10 inaugural inductees into our Leaf Magazine Cannabis Edibles Hall of Fame honoring lasting contributions to the world of marijuanainfused foods. These pioneers and legends changed the way we consume weed, from brownies to beverages and beyond.

“Mickey continued to produce weed candy while becoming more active in pot politics.”

Mickey Martin co-founded Tainted Inc. and Compassion Medicinal Edibles in Oakland after the passing of Prop 215 to provide patients with Cannabis-infused chocolate bars with names and labels mimicking established brands. After parting ways with partner Chris Bliss, Mickey continued to produce weed candy while becoming more active in pot politics. He eventually “grew into a large marijuana-candy maker that bought chocolate by the ton” – according to the DEA, which raided Tainted Inc. in 2007, resulting in Mickey’s arrest on Federal charges. He remained defiant, co-authoring “Medical Marijuana 101” in 2012 and founding Parents 4 Pot, a nonprofit that provided support and Christmas presents for families of pot prisoners. He passed away in 2017.

In the early 1990s, activist, entertainer and model Mary Jane Dunsdon made a name for herself on Vancouver’s Wreck Beach –selling cold slices of watermelon along with weed cookies to locals in-the-know. She was arrested several times, sometimes while topless, adding to her notoriety and bringing attention to the need for a legal framework for Cannabis in Canada. “Watermelon” was featured on multiple covers of High Times and also in the video “High Times presents Watermelon’s Baked and Baking” in 2003. She’s now the founder and operator of the Commercial Drive Licorice Parlour.

“Watermelon” was featured on multiple covers of High Times.”

Elise McDonough began her career at High Times in 2002 as a talented art designer, but quickly discovered her prowess as an edible writer and editor. Having judged the infused food category of multiple Cannabis Cups (over 500 edibles!), she created a new lane for herself as a food critic and author who introduced an element of fine dining to Cannabisinfused cuisine, becoming the first-ever Edibles Editor at HT. Elise is the author of “The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook,” “Marijuana for Everybody!” and Vice’s “Bong Appetit.” Elise has experience as a PR specialist and brand builder and is currently the Director of Marketing at multi-state Cannabis brand binske.

“McDonough wrote ‘The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook,’ ‘Mar ijuana for Every body!’ and Vice’s ‘Bong Appetit.’ ”

Cheri got her start as a circus performer and magician, eventually pivoting into a career as a professional food writer and recipe developer. After discovering medical marijuana and graduating from Oaksterdam University, Cheri set out to turn her foodie credentials into a career in Cannabis cuisine. Since then, she’s engaged in activism – organizing multiple rallies and fundraisers – and is also the author of “The Cannabis Gourmet Cookbook” (2012), “Mary Jane: The Complete Marijuana Handbook for Women” (2015) and “The Easy Cannabis Cookbook” (2018). She also teaches live classes, as well as online Cannabis cooking courses on her website cannabischeri.com.

“Sicard is known for her activism, organizing rallies and fundraisers.”

As a co-founder of Tainted, Chris Bliss was the chef and chocolatier who created the recipes, logos and branding for their chocolates and truffles – long before any of it was remotely allowed. He also prepared some of the first multi-course marijuana laden meals ever served. Trained in all aspects of cooking, from the busiest diner kitchens to the impeccable restaurants of Wolfgang Puck, his experience helped pioneer the manufacturing, labeling and packaging we see in the current edible industry. Many of today’s legal brands owe Chris a huge debt of gratitude, as he taught and trained the founders in the alchemical arts of infusion.

“Bliss helped pioneer the manu facturing, labeling and packaging we see in the current edible industry.”

“Bobrow introduced the main stream public to Cannabis cocktails and mocktails.”

Author, chef, mixologist and “Cannabis Alchemist” Warren Bobrow got his start in the alcohol industry, having studied food writing at New School University and the French Culinary Institute. He’s also written multiple books, including “Apothecary Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails, Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails” and “The Craft Cocktail Compendium.” His 2016 book, “Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks & Buzz-Worthy Libations,” introduced the mainstream to marijuana-infused liquid beverages – now an entire segment of the legal weed industry. In fact, he’s also the co-founder and CEO of Klaus (@drinkklaus), creating terpene-forward craft Cannabis cocktails for the marijuana marketplace.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Laurie Wolf never quite planned for her career in the high-end NYC culinary scene to lead her to the Portland Cannabis industry – but after being dubbed the “Martha Stewart of Edibles" by The New Yorker, I’d say she ended up exactly where she’s meant to be.

Following her graduation from The Culinary Institute of America in New York, Laurie spent years working as a successful chef, caterer and recipe developer for various magazines. Soon after turning 30 and trading in the city life to move out to Oregon, she was diagnosed with absence epilepsy. “I would feel a little sick, a little nauseous, and then I wouldn’t know my name or where I was,” recalls Laurie. “I wouldn’t know anything. It was awful. I couldn’t drive, I was on really strong medication and everywhere I went, I had to have a little name card on me in case I had an episode.”

It was this experience that led Laurie to ultimately discover the magical, miraculous world of Cannabis edibles. “One day I was sitting next to this old guy with white mad scientist hair who looked like Albert Einstein,” explains Laurie. “We just started talking, I told him about my epilepsy and he asked if I had ever used Cannabis for it. At the time, I didn’t even know Cannabis was medically legal. He said, ‘Call this doctor, get your card, and come find me if it doesn’t work. I guarantee you, your episodes will stop.’”

Leaf Nation sits down with Laurie Wolf, the culinary mastermind and Cannabis connoisseur behind the Laurie + MaryJane

brand.

Laurie and Mary Jane, at their production facility in Portland, Oregon.

Laurie was willing to try just about any thing for relief, so she took the word of the mad scientist and started going around to different dispensaries. Back then, edibles were only sold in 1,000mg bars, so she’d get one and break it up into very small pieces. “I’d take about five milligrams every morning. I started doing that and I became seizure-free. My epilepsy was not gone, but managed so that I could live a normal life, which was just unbelievable,” says Laurie.

The only problem?

Laurie says the edibles at the time were not only difficult to dose, but “tasted like somebody dipped a bud in chalk.” She knew she could make something better, which inspired her to start ideating her own edibles company. After her son Nick and his new wife Mary decided to follow in Laurie’s foodie footsteps and also relocate from New York to Portland, Mary offered her help with the logo she had been working on. “She added the whisk, and it just completely changed the look. I asked her to be my partner and the rest is history,” says Laurie.

Laurie + Mary Jane officially opened its doors in 2014 with the goal to make edi bles so delicious, people would want to eat them even if they weren’t infused.

Laurie said that her profes sional culinary background has been crucial to the critically-ac claimed success of the brand. “I just wanted to hear people say, ‘Oh my god, this is so good,’ and have the quality of the ingredients be top notch,” ex plains Laurie.

HOMEBASE

Portland, Oregon

COOKING STYLE Comfort rustic

MOST SMOKED STRAIN Forbidden Fruit

GO-TO MUNCHIE SNACK Potato chips

FAVORITE LMJ PRODUCT Almond Cake Bites

“Having gone to cooking school and owning a catering business, I knew how to do that and how to season things. I could overcompensate for the flavors of the Cannabis with a mix of spices and things that would work together.”

Today, Laurie + Mary Jane products can be found in over 300 dispensaries throughout the state of Oregon. From cookies and chocolates to crackers and cake pops, their lineup includes both sweet and savory treats that make great gifts for seasoned stoners and inexperienced edible eaters alike.

“Cannabis is definitely a part of our holiday celebrations. I like to bake infused holiday cookies and things for gifts,” says Laurie. “A lot of my friends who have nev er tried or enjoyed Cannabis before have now come to like it because I’ve helped

them do it in a non-scary way and they don’t get uncomfortable.”

Laurie continues to tell me about how she enjoys blending Cannabis and community around the holi days, making infused festive breakfasts of pancakes or french toast for loved ones. Her go-to meal around this time of year is a Puerto Rican dish called Pernil – a shoulder of pork that is flooded with herbs and garlic and marinated for two days before a low-and-slow bake – served with vegetables and rice and paired with a tres leches cake and coconut flan for dessert. My case of cottonmouth from trying one of the brand’s Fudgy Brownie Bites before my interview was quickly cured by Laurie’s mouth-wateringly delicious description of this meal.

“A lot of the kinds of foods that I like to cook tend to be comfort food rustic, and to me, there are so many strains that lend themself to that,” says Laurie. And I’d have to agree with you there – there truly is no pairing that makes me feel quite as comfy and cozy as some good ol’ home cooking and Cannabis around the holidays.

LAURIEANDMARYJANE.COM @LAURIEANDMARYJANE

STORY by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD

Katherine Wolf is a Cannabis writer, branding specialist, and the Chief Marketing & Operations Officer of Malek’s Premium Cannabis, a small-batch Colorado cultivator focused on flavor-first genetics.

“Cannabis is definitely a part of our holiday celebrations. I like to bake infused holiday cookies and things for gifts. A lot of my friends who have never tried or enjoyed Cannabis before have now come to like it because I've helped them do it in a non-scary way…”

Mary Jane, Laurie, Emily and Amelia

Advice for optimizing the edible experience.

For the first timer…

THE edibles ISSUE THIS INFUSED LIFE

Go slow! You can always eat more, but never less. Start with a single serving of 5-10mg, wait a couple hours, and enjoy the feeling. Pay at tention to how your body reacts and remember: One plus one, doesn’t equal two. Everybody reacts differently to servings, and you might feel great at 10mg and feel sick and out of control at 20mg. So take it easy, start slow, and build a tolerance and dosage range that works for you over time.

What’s a serving size? How do I decide dosage?

Looking at the label on an edible might seem confusing, but there are a few simple tricks to figuring it all out. The two most important things to note are the serving size and total cannabi noids/potency. Most states define a serving as either 5mg or 10mg of THC. Potency will always be based on milligrams. The total potency could be 50mg or 100mg, depending on regulations, but it could also be as high as 1,000+ milli grams if it’s a tincture or high-strength option. Reading this and knowing your dosage is the difference between a fun time and a neverend ing rollercoaster of THC.

For most people, eating a single serving is going to be perfect. People with low tolerances might find medicinal relief at just two or three milligrams, but a sweet space seems to be 10mg. Once you feel comfortable there, explore by adding a serving per edible experience so you can expand your comfortability zone.

It’s also common to have a personal range when it comes to dosing. For this writer, 1020mg is a daily relaxer and anti-anxiety tool, 50mg does the trick for pain but makes it hard to focus, and 100mg is a full-blown, drooly edi ble trip. But this is just me – I’ve seen people eat 250mg and reach for the next cookie. So take it slow and find your sweet spot when it comes to dosage … you’ll have fun and feel great!

Can I overdose on edibles?

Here’s the good news about eating too much THC: You can’t die! The only way edibles could kill you is if a loaded crate of them fell on your head in a tragic weed warehouse accident. But that’s where the good news ends.

Do you remember the first time you got too drunk? Most of us have at least a few col lege-age, puking-in-random-places memories that we’d like to forget. That said, consuming too much THC or other cannabinoids can result in serious discomfort similar to alcohol over consumption, with symptoms including nausea/ puking, paranoia and the spins. In extreme

This holiday season, get ready to fly as high as a reindeer with our annual Edibles Issue! To avoid crashing and burning like Rudolph after a long night of whatever keeps his nose so red, check out our edibles advice for living your best infused life. While most of this information is for new consumers, it’s always great to get a refresher course – and to keep sharing with friends and family before embarking on a journey into the holidaze.

situations, the high level of psychoactive effects can lead to crazed behavior.

The only cure for over consumption is time and water, which is why you should avoid wast ing a medical professional’s time at a hospital getting fluids and a large bill. If you or a friend end up too high, grab the Gatorade and a weighted blanket, and plan to sit it out. This might mean silence and darkness or putting on a favorite movie – but rest assured that it will pass and once you fall asleep, you’ll be on your way to a fresh start the next day.

The Edible Hangover

While edibles are much safer than alcohol, they can still cause a hangover that can be incred ibly unpleasant. Imagine being stuck in a sort of mental quicksand and having every move ment slowed down 30%, while feeling like the dehydrated SpongeBob that tried to hang out in Sandy’s air environment. Like a fish out of water, eating too much can leave you gasping … and

there’s not a lot to help but coffee and fluids. Our best advice to prevent a hangover is to go slow, and make sure to eat edibles with enough time to activate and have effects before sleep. And if your goal is sleep, don’t wait until your bedtime to pop the CBN. Giving the cannabinoids time to kick in will help with either fun or sleep, and allow for a restful night without effects clouding your mind the next day.

In Budtenders We Trust

Last but certainly not least, trust your budtender when you have questions, concerns or expe riences to share. Don’t be shy: They’ve heard it all and probably love helping with advice!

If they don’t, pick a more enthusiastic bud tender and dive in. Getting trusted info from the source is always clutch, especially before dropping money on a new product or trying something different. And for the best advice possible, always tip your budtender for good service. It will definitely pay off!

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

EDIBLE LIFE HACKS FOR THE MODERN STONER

In many Cannabis markets across the United States, the dosage cap for edibles often seems to scoff in the face of the medicinal food and beverage movement that helped create so many of the names we know today. So, what do you do if you want something with more THC than what’s available on the shelf? We’ve come too far now to go back to making questionablydosed brownies in our kitchen, and not everyone wants to learn the art of cooking with Cannabis. But there are a ton of hacks –and even some products out there – that will help you transform your favorite edibles into amazingly potent “haute cuisine.” Below, you can find four suggestions for spicing up your edibles without becoming a Michelin SensiStar chef.

One classic example is a dessert I learned about in Europe in the early 2000s called a Yogi. All you need is some hash, some oil, and a sin gle-serving carton of yogurt. Head to your local shop and ask for some melty bubble hash, place about one third to one half of a gram into a spoon with a bit of coconut or cooking oil, and heat the bottom until they melt into one mixture (alternatively, you can warm them up in a ramekin). Then drop that into your cup of yogurt, stir, and eat up. At first, you’ll wonder if it’s even working, but after a couple hours in … get ready for a beautiful ride that can last half the day.

If you’re looking for something a little fancier, how about something I worked up by accident?

Called the Canna-Potta, this take on a classic Italian dessert usually calls for two thirds to a whole bag of gummies per serving. Take your gummies and place them into a muffin top tin. Let them melt at 95 degrees on a lower rack for two to three minutes, or until they become one solid disc. Heat gelatin powder, heavy cream, salt, sugar and vanilla bean extract together. Whisk well, then let cool and pour into cups. Pop everything into the fridge to chill for at least four hours, then place that high-powered con fection on top and bon appetit.

“For a Yogi, all you need is some hash, some oil, and a carton of yogurt.”

Have you ever tried a tincture milkshake? One of the benefits of the Cannabis beverage explosion has been the increase of delicious, large-dose mixers in a wide array of flavors on the market. It’s a misno mer that beverages must be low-dose, and a good tincture can work solo or in tandem with a Cannabis beverage. For example, stopping by your local store and tossing 200mg of Mango

tincture in with some blueberries, vanilla ice cream and coconut milk makes for an incredible afternoon (you can pour them into two glasses, but we can’t guarantee you’ll share). Up your level by topping it with your favorite canna-drink.

Want something a little simpler, but with almost no end to the possibilities? Look no further than RSO. Also called Full Spectrum Oil, by adding a drop the size of a grain of rice to something like buttered toast, you can achieve a similar effect to a handful of treats – or even transform a gummy into a supercharged edible. When consuming THC, it’s important to remember it’s lipid-soluble, meaning it will need to bond with fat to produce that wonderful experience. Now, who’s ready for a 50mg fried peanut butter and banana sandwich?

There’s no telling what new ideas you might get the next time you’re checking out the edible section at a dispensary! If you come up with something fun, tag Leaf Magazines and let’s share the culinary creativity.

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

GUMMIES & CANDIES REVIEWS

COOKIES

HYPHAE WELLNESS MUSHROOM & CANNABIS INFUSED GUMMIES

These fantastic gems taste like summer, with the sweet strawberry guava juice zapped by a slight citric acid kick. It’s made with solventless ice hash and – as this comes from Oregonbased Hyphae Wellness, which specializes in adaptogenic mushroom products – also includes fruited Lion’s Mane mushroom extract, added for its brain-boosting effects. 10MG THC/SERVING; 10 SERVINGS/PACKAGE | GETHYPHAE.COM @HYPHAEWELLNESS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

LONDON

POUND CAKE 75 BLUEBERRY FLAVOR INFUSED GUMMIES

These bright, Cookies-blue morsels dissolve with a sweet, soft blueberry squish leading to a slight terpeneladen finish and a lingering cotton candy aftertaste. The Fish Scale Vanilla Gelato variety is also fantastic, with subtly-sour vanilla bean flavor. At 5mg THC per gummy, you can eat twice as many to get to where you’re going – which is perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

5MG THC/SERVING | 100MG THC/PACKAGE COOKIES.CO @SFCOOKIES

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

REAL DEAL RESIN HIGH FLYERS Dropping in with a flying elbow of flavor, High Flyers are solventless gummies infused with strain-specific Cannabis rosin that hits you with a little TLC (tables, ladders, chairs). Delicious and addictive, they have a texture like Sunkist fruit gems and feature mouthwatering flavors like Marionberry, Grape Guava Lemonade and Cucumber Serrano Mango. Plus, it feels great when you can look at the back of the bag and see what strains went into each batch. Safe for vegans and made in a gluten-free facility. 10MG THC/PIECE 100MG THC/PACKAGE | REALDEALRESIN.COM @REALDEALRESIN__

REVIEW BY MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

ALCHEMY NATURALS CBD INFUSED GUMMIES

Alchemy Naturals is the newly minted, completely made-over Lunchbox Alchemy brand originating in Bend, Oregon in the mid2010s while it was still a medical-use-only state. What was once known as Oregon’s most potent gummy brand has been revamped and given new life as the wellness-focused Alchemy Naturals. The lineup features a range of effects-based THC-dominant and CBDdominant formulations with various natural additives like Reishi mushroom and Maca root. While most effects-based products seem to lack follow-through for their claims, I was pleasantly surprised that each formulation seemed to ring true. I found the CBD + CBN Sleep formulation to be particularly effective, and really enjoyed the nontraditional flavor profiles of the gummies, with my favorite being Peach Hibiscus and Ginger Mango. ALCHEMYNATURALS.COM @ALCHEMY.NATURALS

REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

BINSKE FRUIT GUMMIES Proficiently packaged in a sturdy, artfully-designed reusable slide-top tin, these gooey gumdrops are made with all-natural ingredients, including real fruit pectin (rather than animal gelatin) and premium THC distillate. They come in six flavors: Mixed Berry, Mango, Blackberry Lemon, Lemon Lime, Tangerine and Watermelon. All varieties contain the same standard dosage of THC (10mg per piece), but the Tangerine and Watermelon also contain CBD (1:1). We tried the Watermelon variety, which was light pink in color with almost no aroma, and a sour flavor with a rosin-dab aftertaste. 100MG THC & 100MG CBD/PACKAGE | 10MG THC & CBD/PIECE BINSKE.COM @BINSKE | REVIEW BY BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420

DEE TAMARIND THAI GUMMY W/DOJA PAK RS-11 ROSIN

Born out of an inherent love of Thai food culture, Dee Thai gummies offer exotic fruit flavors laced with rosin from Sacramento-based producer Natura’s lab. The latest collab flavor in the Dee line, Tamarind, juxtaposes sweet, rich tamarind flavor with slightly bitter, heavy rosin character from Doja Exclusive’s now-legendary strain, RS-11. Like all Dee gummies, these don’t shy away from Cannabis flavor and instead complement the notes of the strain with the fruit. The effect is weighty and long-lasting, making for a heady experience. 10MG THC/SERVING | 10 SERVINGS/PACKAGE | @DEETHAIOFFICIAL @DOJA.PAK

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

HERVE LE MIRAGE HARD CANDY

These little hard candies come in a strip which inserts into their patented dispenser that’s a cross between a lipstick case and a Pez dispenser. Made from live resin and Cannabis-derived terpenes, they’re available in several flavors, including the two we sampled: Sour Watermelon and Peppermint. The Watermelon, made from Strawberry Melon Gelato live resin, is sativa-dominant with a bold sour flavor and a bubblegum aftertaste. The Peppermint is indica dominant – made from Lemon Kush Mintz live resin. Its minty flavor is soft and subtle – it won’t freshen your breath, but it’ll definitely leave a hint of Cannabis on your palate. While we love the “adult Pez” concept, and the candies are delightful, we’d love to see them secure better into the dispenser so they don’t slip out so easily. 20 PORTIONS (5MG THC EACH) | 100MG THC/PACKAGE HERVEDIBLES.COM @HERVEDIBLES

REVIEW BY BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420

JELLY WIZARD ZERDS GUMMY CANDY

These could easily be classified as gummies or jellies, but Jelly Wizard’s slight twist on the classic infused treat earns them a slot in the candy category. These slightly tart confections come crusted with crunchy little candy bits clinging to one side. The texture and flavor combination works beautifully, as these tasty rosininfused gummies make for a fun, standout addition to the treats under the playful, delicious Jelly Wizard brand.

10MG THC/SERVING | 10 SERVINGS/PACKAGE JELLYWIZARDCANNABIS.CO @JELLYWIZARDHUMBOLDT

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

LEUNE GEM DROPS Sweetened with agave, cane sugar and real fruit extract, Gem Drops are tiny hexagonal gummies with big flavor and a smooth, soft texture. Infused with full-spectrum single-strain solventless rosin, they provide a mellow, slow-building high. They’re available in four varieties, each of which has its own unique blend of cannabinoids and other natural supplements. We tried the Cloud Berry (blackberry/lemon flavor with spirulina and 5g of THC each), and the Desert Gold (mango/peach flavor with Vitamin C and just 2.5g of THC each), both of which were bursting with juicy flavor. Being vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and all natural, they’re an ideal choice for health-conscious consumers. CLOUDBERRY: 5MG THC, DESERT GOLD: 2.5MG THC LEUNE.CO @LEUNEBRAND | REVIEW BY BOBBY BLACK | @BOBBYBLACK420

ROSE DELIGHTS STRAIN SPECIFIC TURKISH DELIGHT

Constantly pushing the boundaries of flavor and experience, Rose Delights creates exciting new tastes by closely partnering with chefs and farmers to make their solventless Turkish Delights. This release is the first batch to use fruit and cannabis harvested from their farm in Penn Valley. Ground cherries, are paired with a syrup made from cinnamon, coriander, lime, piloncillo, vanilla, orange, and cinnamon, to create a flavor like a fizzy cola gummy. Infused with Gush Mints flower rosin, these 5mg pieces come in an artful box and are the perfect gift edible as these recipes are seasonal. ROSELOSANGELES.COM @ROSE_LOSANGELES |

REVIEW BY MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

CLOUD 11

CHOCOLATES, SNACKS & BAKED GOODS REVIEWS

SALTED PEANUT CHOCOLATES AND KUMQUAT

CREAMSICLE CHOCOLATES Perfectly executed and gorgeously crafted, these ultra-premium Cannabis chocolates elevate the edible game. When you open the elegant, hendecagonal (11-sided) tin wrapped in cloud art formations, you’re greeted by a grove of precisely molded cones – or, in the case of the Kumquat Creamsicle flavor, delectable domes – of delightfully delicate chocolate filled with flavored infused inclusions at a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD. These are objectively beautiful chocolates, from the exterior packaging all the way to the absolutely delicious gooey center. These would be a perfect gift for the “more than a hookup” person in your life, or for a decadent “treat yourself” day. 10/10 would recommend.

SALTED PEANUT: 4MG THC & 4MG CBD/SERVING 44MG THC & 44MG CBD/PACKAGE

KUMQUAT CREAMSICLE: 5MG THC & 5MG CBD/SERVING | 55MG THC & 55MG CBD/PACKAGE @FINDCLOUD11 REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

BINSKE SINGLE-ORIGIN CHOCOLATES Made from Peruvian Pure Nacionàl Cacao (the world’s rarest organically-grown cacao beans), Binske’s premium chocolates are extraordinarily melt-in-your-mouth smooth. They come in 10 varieties: Almond, Clasico, Hazelnut, Pure Fortunato, Raspberry and Sea Salt, as well as the two we sampled: Espresso (68% cacao) and Strawberry (36% cacao). The strawberry aspect isn’t immediately evident – there’s no pink color, creme filling, chips or chunks of fruit – rather, the fresh berry flavor and aroma is invisibly infused directly into the chocolate. For java junkies like yours truly, the Espresso flavor is the way to go – offering the same smooth texture and flavor, but with a stronger cacao and coffee kick. 10MG THC/SQUARE | 100MG THC TOTAL BINSKE.COM @BINSKE REVIEW BY BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420

NATIVE HUMBOLDT INFUSED CHOCOLATE BAR WITH JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE

The silky smooth, snappy dark chocolate from this Native American-owned producer is singlesource and made from Cannabis cultivated on the land the owners’ tribe has worked since the 1800s. The slight bitterness from the 65% dark chocolate complements the slight rosin flavor nicely. This is a high quality bar to pair with your favorite fair trade coffee.

10MG THC/SERVING 100MG THC/BAR

@NATIVEHUMBOLDT REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

TSUMO SNACKS VARIOUS FLAVORS AND STYLES

If you’re the type of smoker who easily gets the munchies, be careful with Tsumo snacks. The company’s entire line is filled with dangerously delicious infused homages to classic stoner snack favorites. We had the opportunity to try core and seasonal offerings, and didn’t find a clunker in the bunch. The instantly familiar Zesty Ranch corn chips tasted very “cool” – if you catch my drift. Tsumo’s Snazzle Os, a collaboration with Snoop Dogg, provided the perfect infused onion-ring homage to Funyuns. But the real show stoppers were the seasonal Turkey Dinner-flavored puffed potato crisps – think stuffing and gravy – and the Churro corn chips, which brought me back to the stand at the state fair. Yum. 10MG THC/SERVING 10 SERVINGS/PACKAGE @TSUMOSNACKS | REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

REAL DEAL RESIN HASHER SNACKS

We can all agree that the world needs more savory edibles out there. Real Deal has answered the call, creating a new twist on a vintage favorite with their honey-roasted chipotle peanuts. Each box has 70mg of THC and about 7mg per serving (though future batches will increase to 100mg), and a collectible trading card. Sweet at first, they hit a comfortable-butpresent heat level before leaving a delicious peppery, nutty, garlic flavor behind. It's super easy to eat a whole bag, so throwing a package or two into a bowl of Chex mix would be a smart idea. These are so good you'll be singing, "Buy me some peanuts ... no, Hasher Snacks!" 70MG THC/PACKAGE | 7MG THC/SERVING

REALDEALRESIN.COM @REALDEALRESIN__

REVIEW BY MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

HERVE LES MACARONS Who doesn’t love the sweet, gooey goodness of a well-made macaron? Herve’s infused macarons are exquisite confections handcrafted in traditional French pâtisserie style. Made using sativa-hybrid distillate and natural ingredients like coconut cream and almond flour, they’re vegan and gluten-free with a fluffy texture and a buttercream frosting-style filling, and a delicate, nutty taste. The box we sampled, Birthday Cake, had one macaron in red, one in white, and one in blue – though all shared the same superbly cakey flavor. Also available in a gold-dusted variety. A deliciously luxurious treat.

10MG THC/PIECE | 30MG THC/PACKAGE

HERVEDIBLES.COM @HERVEDIBLES

REVIEW BY BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420

TINCTURES & BEVERAGES REVIEWS

DEEP DESERT SPIRITED INFUSIONS These THC-infused beverages contain natural spring water and botanical extracts. There’s no Cannabis taste, but it features a fast-acting nanoemulsion of 5mg per dose, infused with lotus flower essence. There’s a wave of delicious fruit and botanical flavor, along with a slight aftertaste from the sucralose. Whether you mix it in a cocktail or sip straight from the bottle, the overall feeling is refreshment. The Spark version has added Green Tea for a bit of natural caffeine, and the Chill formula has added Suntheanine, a pure form of L-theanine (an amino acid in tea that promotes relaxation without drowsiness).

5MG/BOTTLE | DRINKDEEPDESERT.COM @DRINKDEEPDESERT | REVIEW BY MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

CQ CANNABIS INFUSED BEVERAGES A seasoned producer of infused beverages, CQ – aka Cannabis Quencher – smartly offers multiple dosage concentrations of its beverage flavors. Refreshing flavors such as Old Fashioned Lemonade, Watermelon Agua Fresca, Wildberry Guava Agua Fresca and Strawberry Lemonade, are available in potent 2.2-oz shot-size bottles packing 100mg of THC, or more diluted 16oz bottles infused with the same amount. Either way, it’s recommended to mix either concentration into sodas, cocktails or other fluids, but if you’re looking for a warp-speed trip to the moon, the small bottle’s the trick.

VCCBRANDS.COM @CQ_DRINKS | REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

MARY JONES

SODAS Anyone familiar with Jones Soda could have seen this coming. The kitschy, gleefully creative company has toyed with stoner-esque concoctions like the Turkey and Gravy soda flavor for decades. Now, with Mary Jones, the circle is complete. These infused sodas bring the same flavor quality to the table, but with a kick. AVAILABLE IN 10MG THC OR 100MG THC VARIATIONS GOMARYJONES.COM @MARYJONESBRAND

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

PABST LABS SELTZERS These lightly-carbonated, delicately-flavored seltzers are essentially the White Claw of the Cannabis world. Immensely crushable and effective, these would be good in mocktails or on their own. Try mixing them with some of the syrups on this list – or with the company’s own potent St. Ides brand of Cannabis syrups – for maximum impact. 10MG THC/CAN | PABSTLABS.COM @PABSTLABS REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

More than just a beverage company, Mari y Juana is a family-owned-and-operated business bringing the flavors of Mexico to California Cannabis consumers. Their lineup of soft drinks currently includes Tamarindo, Pina (Pineapple) and Guava flavors that are all absolutely delicious. At 10mg THC per 12oz bottle, you would think that there would only be just enough kick to be noticeable – but the infusions are made with rapidonset nano-enhanced Cannabis oil supplied by the weed wizards at Vertosa, and the difference is drastic and very noticeable. There is zero hint of Cannabis flavor, so all you get is full fruit flavor and sweetness, packed into a light-bodied, modestly-carbonated soda. 10MG THC/BOTTLE | DRINKMJ.COM @MARIJUANAFOODSCO

REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

RICKETT BREWING INFUSED SPARKLING WINE Rickett Brewing’s high-end infused sparkling wines are the perfect option for any special occasion. Their Jolie Fleur Blanc offers loads of white grape, honeydew melon and green apple flavor, while the Jolie Fleu Blanc delivers huge raspberry jam notes while still maintaining a nimble body and dry finish. Both have a delicate carb and nuanced complexity sure to please even the most discerning of palates. The wines contain no artificial flavoring or coloring, and are truly made to satisfy consumers who want nothing less than the best. Rickett Brewing recently began packaging these labor-intensive wines in 10oz cans, making them more approachable, accessible and affordable. 10MG THC/CAN RICKETTBREWING.COM @RICKETTBREWING

REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW425

HIGH POWER THC TINCTURE High Power syrups aren’t just cleverly named. At 1000mg of pure THC octane per bottle, this juice will squeeze you if you’re not careful. Just a capful gets you to 10mg. Start there before delving into the sweet, sticky depths with these syrups, which come in an array of flavors, including French Vanilla, Watermelon, Berry, and of course, Grape. They’d be great at a party, mixed into a Solo cup full of Sprite. 10MG THC/SERVING,100 SERVINGS/BOTTLE @HIGHPOWER.SYRUP | REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

KOAN CORDIALS

A classic drink we often associate with the Victorian era, cordials represented the drink of choice when entertaining friends or having people over. Koan is bringing these traditions forward with the idea of a Cannabis-infused, social-themed beverage for the modern gathering. Their six distinct formulations combine CBC and botanical flavors, blending them with a dose of 1mg, 6mg or 9mg of Delta-9 THC. Each pack contains three single-dose bottles that are half the height of a BIC lighter and are almost too convenient to keep in a backpack, bag or coat pocket. | 3 SINGLE DOSE BOTTLES/PACKAGEKOAN.LIFE @KOAN.LIFE

REVIEW BY

JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

FLORA HEMP SPIRITS

DELTA 8 AND ESSENCE HEMP SPIRIT; PASSION FRUIT

GEMS

One of the most trusted brands on the California scene, Space Gems has spent almost 10 years perfecting its craft. Available in two options, their outstanding beverages deliver a higher dose without making you down an entire bag or bottle, and are a staple for people who enjoy tasting a hint of Cannabis in their edibles. Their tinctures are a sweet, thick mix of fruit puree and cough syrup that will have you licking the cap afterward. Gem Juice is the 100mg cousin – with more of a simple syrup quality, it’s outstanding to sip on like a liqueur or mix into your ideal beverage. Both are pocketsized and make a perfect travel option for a solventless happy hour.

100MG THC/BOTTLE | SPACEGEMCANDY.COM | REVIEW BY MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

“MARGARITA” For those who not only love cannabinoids, but are also looking to replace their alcohol rituals with something more friendly, the Flora line of spirits and canned cocktails offers a high-end experience. The Delta 8 and Essence Hemp Spirit each feature light fruit and floral flavor tempered by a bitterness not unlike an aperitif. The company’s Passion Fruit “Margarita,” with 5mg THC and 10mg CBD, is a punchy sweetand-sour number, with strong fruit flavor, like P.O.G. with a kick. Either line would be good on the rocks, or cut with soda. VARYING POTENCIES FLORAHEMPSPIRITS.COM @FLORAHEMPSPIRITS

REVIEW BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

CERIA BREWING CANNABIS INFUSED ALCOHOL-FREE MALT BEVERAGES

Ceria Brewing’s Grainwave and Indiewave malt beverages began their lives as beer, and through the magical process of dealcoholization and infusion, have become something greater. The stats are impressive at 0% alcohol and 5mg and 10mg per 12oz can, with both styles clocking in at under 100 calories. The Grainwave is brewed similar to a classic wit or wheat beer with Hallertau hops and additions of coriander and orange peel. The Indiewave is more akin to an IPA with Cascade, Citra and Amarillo hops. Both drink fairly true to style, though hardcore beer nerds may be underwhelmed if their palates are well-traveled. 5MG & 10MG THC/CAN | CERIABREWING.COM @CERIAINFUSED

WILLIAMS @NATEW415

REVIEW BY NATE

MARI Y JUANA BEVERAGES CO CANNABIS-INFUSED SOFT DRINKS

SPACE

TINCTURE & GEM JUICE

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

MATT

Baking a Difference

HUMBLE ORIGINS

Brownie Mary was born Mary Jane Rathbun on December 22, 1922, in Chicago, then raised in Minnesota. She was a social justice warrior from the get-go: At 13, she fought back against a nun at her Catholic school for trying to cane her; in her teens, she traveled to Wisconsin to campaign for the unionization of miners; and in the ’40s she fought for abortion rights in Minneapolis.

During World War II, Rathbun and a few of her girlfriends moved to San Francisco hoping to marry a military man … which she did – giving birth to a daughter named Peggy in 1955 – but divorced soon after. She moved into a public housing unit not far from Haight Ashbury and got a job as a waitress at the local IHOP. Coming of age in the 1960s, her daughter befriended many gay men in the predom inantly LGBTQ Castro district. Which is why, after Peggy was tragically killed by a drunk driver at the age of 22, Rathbun began mothering young gay run aways as her new “adopted” children. It was through her embrace of the gay community that she eventu ally connected with her future friend and partner-incrime, Cannabis activist Dennis Peron.

INTRO TO CANNABIS

Rathbun first met Dennis Peron in 1974 when they shared a joint at the Castro’s Cafe Flore. Inspired by Peron, and a copy of Alice B. Toklas’s infamous Can

nabis cookbook, Rathbun started baking weed-laced cookies and brownies as a side hustle to make ends meet using ingredients purchased with her $650 per month Social Security check and grower-donated Cannabis (often left anonymously on her doorstep). She sold her “magically delicious” brownies for a few dollars each out of a napkin-lined basket (and later, at Peron’s Big Top pot market) and advertised them with flyers posted on local bulletin boards. Before long, she was churning out hundreds of brownies a day, with customers reportedly lining up along the stairs to her apartment to order them by the dozen. By the decade’s end, she’d become a folk hero in the Castro known as “Brownie Mary.”

Eventually, Brownie Mary’s endeavors came into the crosshairs of law enforcement when a narc from the SFPD came across one of her flyers. On the night of January 14, 1981, Det. Sgt. Robert Bullard showed up at her apartment posing as a customer and placed her under arrest … to which the feisty, foulmouthed 57-year-old in the flowered apron reacted by saying, “Oh shit.”

After searching her home, police found and confiscated 18 pounds of Cannabis and 54 dozen brownies. To cover her legal defense, it’s rumored she had to sell most of her belongings – including the kitchen table on which the brownies were made. She pled guilty to nine counts of possession and sale of marijuana, but the judge liked her and sentenced her to just three years probation and 500 hours of community service – which, it turned out, she was happy to do. In fact, she found her service so

BROWNIE BUSTS

Compared to everyone from Betty Crocker, Mrs. Field and Sara Lee, to Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa and Harriet Tubman, Brownie Mary wasn’t just a pioneer of Cannabis edibles – she was a selfless, spirited activist who many consider the mother of the medical marijuana movement.

With best friend and partner-in-crime Dennis Peron.

A never-before-published photo of Brownie Mary.

rewarding that she finished her sentence in a record 60 days and kept on volunteering thereafter.

Despite her probation, Rathbun went right back to baking – except this time, instead of selling the brownies, she gave them away to AIDS and cancer patients for free. On December 7, 1982, while on her way to deliver some brownies to a friend under going chemotherapy, Rathbun had the bad luck of running into one of the cops that had arrested her the year before. After he discovered the four dozen brownies she was carrying, she was arrested again and charged with several counts of possession and a probation violation. Luckily for her, the charges were later dropped – but not before she received a stern warning at her court hearing.

“The judge said, ‘You have to stop the Brownie Mary shtick – it’s over,’” Peron’s husband John En twistle told Bon Appetit magazine in 2019. “‘If you do it again, we’ll send you to jail.’”

Undeterred, for the next decade she made weekly visits to Ward 86 at San Francisco General Hospi tal, where she spent thousands of hours volunteer ing with AIDS patients and supplying them with her brownies at no charge.

“She called them her kids,” Peron recalled. “Many of them were dying alone and despised. Their families wouldn’t even visit them. She baked them something that helped ease their pain, and she also dispensed friendliness and resilience. A lot of those patients called her an angel of mercy.”

Mary became so beloved at the hospital that in 1986 they gave her a “Volunteer of the Year” award.

to court, but police wouldn’t take the bait. Rathbun, however, did get busted again on July 19, 1992, in the town of Cazadero, where she was caught baking brownies at a grower friend’s house and charged with felony possession of two-and-a-half pounds of marijuana. Initially, the Sonoma County district attorney attempted to prosecute her, but that didn’t exactly go as planned.

On August 25, Rathbun testified at a medical marijuana hearing held by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors at City Hall. By the end of that hearing, the Board had not only passed a resolu tion making possession or cultivation of medical Cannabis law enforcement’s “lowest priority,” they also voted to honor Rathbun’s humanitarian work –officially declaring August 25 “Brownie Mary Day” across the city. Addressing the 5,000-plus crowd outside after, Brownie Mary raised her fists and shouted: “If the narcs think I’m gonna stop baking brownies for my kids with AIDS, they can go fuck themselves in Macy’s window!”

putting this saintly septuagenarian on trial, the DA dropped the charges.

As a cause célèbre for medical marijuana, Brownie Mary helped broaden sympathy for the movement and pass Proposition 215 in No vember 1996. That same year, she and Dennis released the book they’d co-authored: “Brownie Mary’s Mari juana Cookbook and Dennis Peron’s Recipe for Social Change.” Notably absent from the book, however, was her famous brownie recipe – because, as Rathbun once told the NY Times, “When and if they legalize [Canna bis], I’ll sell my brownie recipe to Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and take the profits and buy an old Victorian for my kids with AIDS.”

DEATH & LEGACY

Two different editions of Brownie Mary’s cookbook.

Unfortunately, Mary never got that opportunity. Sad ly, by the time Prop 215 was passed, Rathbun was in so much pain from her numerous ailments that she considered contacting Dr. Kevorkian to arrange for assisted suicide. After suffering a fall in August 1998, she underwent surgery on her neck and spine, after which she was confined to a wheelchair. Finally, on April 10, 1999, Brownie Mary suffered a heart attack and died at Laguna Honda Hospital. She was 76.

ACTIVISM & ANOTHER ARREST

In addition to helping the sick, Rathbun also got more involved in Cannabis activism. At Peron’s invitation, she spoke to the ACT UP organization about the effectiveness of Cannabis in treating HIV patients. And in 1991, she helped him with Proposition P – an initiative to protect doctors in San Francisco from criminal penalties for prescribing medical marijuana – which passed that November with an overwhelming 80% support.

In 1992, Rathbun helped Peron and Entwistle launch the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club (the first public medical marijuana dispensary in the country) in Peron’s house, which included a Brownie Mary’s Cafe in the basement. Apparently, the club’s organizers were actually hoping it would get busted so they could take their case for medical marijuana

THE PEOPLE V. RATHBUN

Like that SF rally, Rathbun’s pre-trial hearing – held two months later at a small Santa Rosa courthouse – became a huge media event.

“We marched to court. The radio and television stations all covered it. The court and the halls were filled with everyone from flower children to medical specialists,” explained famed Cannabis attorney Tony Serra in the book “Lust for Justice: The Radical Life & Law of J. Tony Serra.”

With her new high-profile lawyer at her side, Rathbun showed up in her trademark bifocals, polyester pants, and sweater adorned with various pro-pot pins and pleaded not guilty. Serra then presented her defense: submitting a flurry of affi davits from doctors, psychiatrists and activists, and positing that she did not profit from her “crimes” –that they were acts of conscience and compassion and that “the nobility of her actions outweighed the reprehensibleness of her offense.” The judge offered her a “slap on the wrist” plea deal carrying a fine of $10,000, but Rathbun refused – instead insisting on a jury trial. Eager to avoid the negative publicity of

A week after her death, a candlelight vigil was held in her honor in the Castro, where nearly 500 peo ple paid their respects by leaving candles, flowers, photos, news clippings, pot leaf leis and of course, brown ies. Among those who spoke at the memorial were Peron, Serra and SF District Attorney Terence Hallinan, who told the crowd: “Brownie Mary was a hero, and will one day be remembered as the Florence Nightingale of the medical marijuana movement.”

“Brownie Mary is a heroine in the eyes of many,” Serra once aptly attested. “She won herself a place in history.”

For our podcast & more Cannabis history content visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

“If the narcs think I’m gonna stop baking brownies for my kids with AIDS, they can go fuck themselves in Macy’s window!”

With famed cannabis attorney Tony Serra (left) and his legal team.

Painting of Brownie Mary by artist Thomasina DeMaio.

Offering brownies to AIDS patients.

ANYONE WHO’S EVER worked in a restaurant knows that when you have two half-empty bottles of the world’s most popular condiment, you pour one into the other to make one of them appear fresh and new while the other gets tossed. It’s called marrying the ketchup. That’s a figurative term.

But what if we made it literal? Because let’s face it, there are a lot of people on this planet who are unhappily married. And if they could run off with a bottle of ketchup to a tropical island for a glorious honeymoon without the rough repercussions of divorce, most would probably drop everything and go. Think about it … a plush balcony overlooking the crashing waves of a majestic coastline with your culinary love. Where’s the sign-up sheet?

If I could marry a bottle of ketchup, I probably would. We already share bottley fluids, so why not consummate what you consume? I mean, talk about compatibility: I want succulent tomato flavor and the sauce’s only objective is to be eaten.

In no time, we’ll have a small family of packets.

And it will never guilt you for inviting other tasty items into the relationship. Like a greasy burger beckons to be dipping in the dripping. And French fries are lacking the jazz with no sauce to give them pizzazz.

Ketchup is good on just about everything. In fact, I’m pretty sure that if you look up the food pyramid from the year 1955, it will tell you that man can survive off ketchup alone. Because we’re not just talking about tomatoes and sugar – but onions, cloves, garlic and other healthy items that put the zing in amazing.

I understand that there are some cultures that prefer soy sauce or chili sauce, but I don’t get it. You could smother a piece of plywood with ketchup, and it would probably still taste good.

By the way, is ketchup really the world’s most popular condiment?

For me it’s bubble hash.